Hospitality

Simplifying Site Management Through Data

Published

2 years ago

October 2, 2024

Located in the Philippines, Okada Manila is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing markets for gaming, hospitality, and entertainment. This magnificent integrated resort is a bustling city unto itself, boasting 993 accommodations, extensive shopping on its Retail Boulevard, a premier spa, an array of dining choices, and a variety of entertainment options including a casino, nightclub, and indoor beach club. Okada Manila has been accorded a Forbes 5-star rating for four consecutive years to date. To keep the resort abuzz, Okada Manila’s thousands of staff spread out across this expansive and scenic oceanfront property.

“From a physical control standpoint, it can be incredibly challenging to secure a property as diverse as ours,” says Kelly Billups, Executive Director of Security Technology Services for Okada Manila. “From a security systems perspective, we expect a very high level of capability to provide a strong layer of technical administration and proactiveness in regard to the overall security effectiveness for the property.”

To achieve that high level of supervision and monitoring, Okada Manila requires a security partner capable of simplifying the site’s complex management while offering controls capable of matching the resort’s elite standards.

But Kelly takes it all in stride: “It’s a huge operation, but the big benefit we have is that we’ve got Gallagher.”

Managing a site through centralized data

The scale of Okada Manila’s operation means managing their site’s security has the potential to become unwieldy rather quickly. Even simply controlling staff entry can become a monumental task with a requirement that all employees and third parties use one dedicated entrance and exit to a very sizeable back of the house area that extends nearly the entirety of the property.

To ensure such compliances are met across the site, Okada Manila relies on data reporting from multiple technologies to provide a bird’s eye view of the resort. Gallagher’s Command Centre integration capabilities make it possible.

From one centralized platform, Okada Manila can generate singular, chronological reports populated from multiple systems, enabling their security division to combine data from their back of the house applications, guest lodging, electronic key management system, lifts on the property, and custom HR interface to produce a holistic account of activities within the resort.

“We rely on Command Centre for that technical administration and to generate high-level reports,” says Kelly, “and those information sets are one of the key benefits of our Gallagher system.”

Data reporting also enables Okada Manila to optimize site management.

“Beyond the expected service of access control, we’re looking for behavioral patterns in our reflective data and reports,” explains Kelly. “We maintain a combined proactive approach utilizing live data with other systems, as well as conduct random audits every month to get a sense of how individual parts of our resort are operating. That information can tell us the usual amount of time or frequency members of our team utilize a space, perform an action, or generally move about the property, which in turn helps us identify where additional staffing or resources are needed, or if any unusual activity is happening.”

A one card solution with dramatic results

But to achieve this level of oversight across their site, Okada Manila needs a single input tool for tracking those behaviors. To simplify the process and ensure compliance, Kelly introduced a one card solution.

Using a single card, employees can:

Enter the property
Operate lifts
Access restricted areas, guest rooms, and amenities
Interface with payroll time clocks, electronic key management, parking boom gates, and wardrobe services

Not only does this make it easy to collect data from multiple technologies, but this one card solution also removes the burden of managing several codes, key fobs, and cards for staff.

But of all of these access card benefits, one in particular stands out.

“If I were to lay claim to any one major win we’ve accomplished with Gallagher at Okada Manila, it’s what we did with staff lockers,” Kelly says. “We have around 6,000 lockers for staff and third parties on our property, and previously, as experienced in other integrated resorts, we were only able to secure and manage lockers with mechanical locking solutions. This meant investigating any events involving staff lockers was significantly challenging and not always successful. But once we applied Command Centre’s Locker Management Solution, we reduced undesirable events to nearly zero, and at the same time increased the efficiency of staff services.”

Using their one access card, Okada Manila’s staff secure their individual lockers, ensure they’re closed properly, and prevent unauthorized access. “Such a dramatic reduction in adverse events has been an incredible benefit to the business and our employees, who don’t have to worry about the safekeeping of their belongings anymore” explains Kelly. “And of course, it frees up security resources to focus on other things.”

Partnerships beyond security

With all the complexity surrounding Okada Manila’s operations, Kelly emphasizes that a supportive partnership is a key proponent among the resort’s top security needs.

“Partnership is everything,” says Kelly. “I know a lot of customers use less than 10% of the features when they deploy an access control system, but we always want more out of our system, so it’s important that we work with a vendor who we know is going to listen to our ideas.”

And Okada Manila believes they’ve found that kind of lasting partnership in Gallagher.

“People ask me all the time, ‘Why the preference for Gallagher?’; I say it’s the ease of use, and most importantly, because they listen and cater to individual customer needs,” Kelly reflects. “It’s that ease of interface to a multitude of control and business systems, and you only get those results by really, truly listening and addressing your customer’s needs. Trusting in that partnership and being able to combine all the technologies I need into one platform is critical to our success with security technologies.”

Hospitality

The Many Moods of the Maldivian Escape

Published

8 hours ago

August 21, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

By Twinkle Aswani

The Maldives can take on very different personlities depending on where the journey leads. Iru Fushi and Sun Siyam World offer two distinct interpretations of island living, one shaped by slower beach days, dining and wellness, and the other by discovery, activity and an almost endless choice of experiences. Together, the two properties create a combination that demonstrates how differently luxury, relaxation and adventure can exist within the same destination.

At Iru Fushi, the experience begins with the setting itself. The water villas offer an incredibly scenic perspective of the island, with private infinity pools seemingly flowing directly into the ocean. It is the kind of setting that makes the familiar picture of the Maldives feel remarkably real — stepping outside in the morning to an uninterrupted view of the water.

The property’s dining experiences add another dimension. An extensive breakfast spread and a wide variety of dinner options provide plenty of choice, while the Maldivian chicken curry deserves particular mention. It is the kind of local dish that can easily become one of the most memorable parts of a stay.

Wellness brings a slower rhythm to the experience. The traditional Maldivian Bondithaan Kurun massage offers a restorative pause after a day of exploring, while Flavours creates one of those distinctive Maldives dining moments, with reef sharks swimming below as guests enjoy their meal. There is something particularly memorable about watching marine life move through the waters below while dining above it. Reflection Pool Bar adds another visual dimension, with a setting and atmosphere that feel particularly suited to the island surroundings.

Hospitality remains central to the experience. At Iru Fushi, ambassador Jinaan brings an attentive and genuinely welcoming presence, with the kind of care that makes guests feel looked after rather than simply accommodated.

If Iru Fushi embraces a more relaxed interpretation of island life, Siyam World introduces an entirely different rhythm. There is a sense of movement and discovery across the resort, where another beach, activity, restaurant, pool or quiet corner can become the next part of the day.

For visitors with a list of experiences they have always wanted to try, the resort offers plenty of opportunity to work through it. Horse riding along the beach, go-karting, time spent between pools and beaches, exploring different restaurants or simply finding a quiet spot to do absolutely nothing all become part of the experience. It is a combination that can create a different kind of attachment to the island — the sort that can make saying goodbye feel slightly premature.

The dining and social spaces continue that sense of variety. Mint Beach Bar combines atmosphere with a beautiful setting, while Jungali Pool brings a lush, vibrant energy. Together Beach Bar offers a more relaxed place to enjoy a drink and the island atmosphere, while Wahoo Grill, Andalucia and Arigato each provide a distinctly different dining experience.

Among the experiences, Cinema by Moonlight stands out as one of the resort’s most memorable concepts. Watching a film beside the ocean with mulled wine, surrounded by the shores and night sky, turns a familiar activity into something considerably more memorable. It is the kind of detail that makes an experience feel carefully considered rather than simply added to an itinerary.

Yet beyond the activities and amenities, it is the people and culture that add another layer to Siyam World. The Maldivian welcome is reflected in the warmth of the team, with Ausy, Sara, Affan, Sony and others creating an atmosphere where guests can feel less like visitors and more like they have arrived somewhere familiar — almost like being welcomed home by friends.

Ausy, in particular, goes beyond simply arranging an itinerary. His attention to detail allows guests to experience different sides of the resort, from activities and dining to a spa session, with every part of the itinerary thoughtfully balanced to make room for both discovery and relaxation. Benish, the resort ambassador, similarly plays an important role in helping guests make the most of their time, planning the itinerary and ensuring they are looked after throughout the stay.

A behind-the-scenes tour with Ausy reveals yet another side of Sun Siyam World — one that exists beyond the guest experience. Seeing these elements up close offers a different perspective on what goes into creating the resort experience, from its care for staff to its sustainability initiatives.

The Herbitory is particularly revealing. Under the guidance of Dr. Dee Dee, the resort organically grows herbs and fruits including lemongrass, watermelon, different varieties of mustard seeds, chilli, aloe vera, basil and dragon fruit. A closer look at the Herbitory reveals just how much exists beyond the visible resort experience, with working projects and systems that quietly contribute to what guests eventually experience on the surface. Even the local scroopan fruit ice cream offers a small taste of the island’s produce and the property’s connection to its surroundings.

The experience extends into Maldivian culture through food as well. The Maldivian cooking class is more than a lesson in preparing dishes; it offers a window into local food, traditions and culture. Chef Prashanth and his team, Hammal and Rajesh, bring warmth, passion and patience to the experience, turning the class into something that feels as much about connection as it is about cooking.

After days filled with activities and exploration, Thalgo Spa provides another form of balance. Its massage and hydrotherapy offer a restorative pause, the kind of reset that feels particularly welcome after a day spent discovering the island.

At the heart of both properties is a different understanding of what a Maldivian escape can be. Iru Fushi offers the slower rhythm of beach life, dining and wellness, while Siyam World brings together activity, discovery, culture and an expansive variety of experiences.

The two properties are distinctly different in their vibe, sense of luxury and overall concept, and that difference is precisely what makes them work so well together. Rather than offering the same interpretation of the Maldives, Iru Fushi and Siyam World allow guests to experience two sides of the destination, from the quiet beauty of an island escape to the feeling that there is always something more to discover, and perhaps a little more time worth staying for.

Hospitality

The Sweetest Way to End the Summer Holidays

Published

1 day ago

August 20, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

Taking place on 23 August and 30 August from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Splendour Fields and Crave Bakehouse are bringing two hands-on baking workshops to JLT for children aged 4-12. The first session will be dedicated to cookie baking, followed by a cake decorating class on 30 August. Children will get to mix, bake, decorate, and take their creations home at the end of the afternoon.

Priced at AED 200 per child, tickets can be purchased online [HERE]. The two-hour workshop includes all ingredients, equipment, and guidance throughout the session. Each child will also receive a complimentary kids’ meal and drink, while one accompanying parent will receive a complimentary coffee. With only 10 children per session, the workshops offer a small and interactive setting where every little baker can get involved from start to finish.

As the holidays come to an end, the workshops offer one more chance for kids to have fun, get creative, and make the most of their final days before school starts again. Whether they’re making their first batch of cookies or decorating their very own cake, children will have the freedom to get creative and make something they can proudly take home. It’s hands-on, a little messy, and designed to let kids have fun while learning something new.

Located in JLT, Splendour Fields is a neighbourhood café and deli where families can come together over good food and coffee. The workshops bring that same spirit into the kitchen, giving parents and children a reason to spend an afternoon together while escaping the summer heat.

With limited spaces available, parents can book their little bakers in for one session, or join both for two sweet afternoons of baking, creating, and getting a little messy.

Hospitality

Kids Play, Parents Stay: Sundays at The Guild Just Got Better

Published

1 day ago

August 20, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

Introducing Only on Sundaes, a new family experience in DIFC that’s every parent’s dream

Launching on 23 August, The Guild introduces Only on Sundaes, a new family experience designed to give parents something they rarely get: a chance to enjoy a proper meal while the kids are happily entertained. Transforming The Aviary into a Nitro Sundae Bar and dedicated space for play, creativity, and discovery, the experience runs every Sunday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with free entry for children booked either for breakfast or Sunday roast. Guests only pay for any additional food and beverage consumed during their visit.

For parents, it is about having a little more time to themselves. Sit down for breakfast, enjoy a coffee, catch up with friends, or take your time over the Sunday Roast while the kids explore, play, and make new friends nearby. For children, it is a full Sunday of things to discover, with dedicated spaces designed around different ages and interests. It is an easy way to make the most of the final weeks of the school holidays before the routine starts again.

For younger children aged 1–5, the Little Explorers area offers a safe and supervised space filled with soft play equipment, building blocks, face painting, a ball pool, a play kitchen, and sensory activities. Older children and teens have their own dedicated zone, The Arcade Club, with arcade games, air hockey, PlayStation stations and board games. There is plenty to keep them busy, whether they want to play, get creative, or simply hang out.

From 12pm onwards, children can also enjoy an interactive nitrogen ice cream activation, adding a playful twist to a classic favourite. It is one more reason for kids to look forward to Sundays, while parents can enjoy a little extra time to relax.

With the new school year just around the corner, Only on Sundaes is made for that last stretch of summer. At The Guild, Sundays are becoming a time for everyone to enjoy, just in very different ways.