Hotel Technology Next Generation

PARIS | Fort Aguada Beach Resort Goa, built on the ramparts of a 16th century Portuguese fortress in Sinquerim, Bardez, India, has recently selected the new, design-centric Signature by VingCard electronic-locking system and its exclusive line of “Designers’ Collection” door handles from famous Italian handle crafter Valli & Valli. Together the Signature lock and Valli & Valli Designers’ Collection handles provide a true point of differentiation for the 73-acre complex overlooking the Arabian Sea which was looking to blend security technology/hardware with its hotel environment.

“Maintaining design integrity at this property—which is so rich in tradition, atmosphere and architecture—is paramount, and finding suitable hardware for our doors was challenging,” said Samir Khana, resort general manager. “Signature by VingCard, with its highly stylized, modern look and exceptional collection of designers handles, made it the perfect compliment to the unique atmosphere of this hotel.”

“When we looked at the diversity among the Designers’ Collection, we were able to identify a door handle from Norman Foster and Partners that was the perfect match to our hotel design,” Samir Khana (GM) said. “It definitely dresses up the whole style of our hotel.”

Situated in close proximity to the Calangute beach, Fort Aguada Beach Resort offers a range of spacious villas and cottages. With its exotic tropical beauty, pristine beaches, nine restaurants, Jiva Spa, and vibrant local culture, guests of the Fort Aguada Beach Resort can discover many opportunities for fun. The Resort offers many activities for sporting enthusiasts from water sports and adventure mountaineering to tennis and squash.

Design Your Security
“We are very pleased that the Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces have selected Signature by VingCard for this outstanding property in India,” said Vegard Prytz, Vice President ASSA ABLOY Hospitality Asia-Pacific. “With its intuitively functional card insertion and the fact of being an extremely secure lock, Signature delivers the same security and reliability that VingCard is known for worldwide, but wrapped in an easy-to-use, style-conscious package.

“Because the door handle should be the focal point on the door and not the card reader, Signature provided the Fort Aguada Beach Resort with the minimal hardware design elements it was looking for—two standalone bezel card readers to choose from (Signature Trend for contemporary designs and Signature Décor for more traditional styles) and a bevy of standalone Designers’ Collection door handles,” Prytz said. “The property selected the Décor bezel and a Designers’ Collection handle created by Norman Foster and Partners to create a personalized experience that is welcoming to guests.”

Samir Khana (G.M.) said that he was impressed that he had such a wide range of exclusive designer door handles to choose from.

VingCard’s Designers’ Collection was created by some of the most renowned designers for Fusital, the top brand of Valli & Valli, including: Norman Foster and Partners, Yoshimi Kono, Gustav Peichl, Antonio Citterio, Gregotti Associati, Richard Meier, Sottsass Associati, Taller Design Ricardo Bofill and Piano Design Workshop.

“At VingCard Elsafe, we listen to our customers’ needs and we are committed to provide the ultimate within global security solutions,” Prytz said. “VingCard Elsafe can offer a worldwide network that focuses on service and listening to our customers. Our global presence and understanding of our customers’ needs enables us to offer the right combination of electronic security solutions. We are very proud to have provided such a suitable and unique electronic-locking solution for this exclusive resort in India.”

About Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces
A part of the Tata Group of companies , India's premier business house, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces comprises 57 hotels in 40 locations across India with an additional 18 international hotels in the Maldives, Mauritius, Malaysia, Seychelles, Australia, UK, USA, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Africa, and the Middle East. Over the years, Taj has won international acclaim for its quality hotels and its excellence in dining, business facilities, interiors, and world-class, personalized service. In India, Taj is recognized as the premier hospitality provider, spanning the length and breadth of the country, and gracing important industrial towns and cities, beautiful beaches, historical and pilgrim centres, and wildlife destinations. An innovator in dining, Taj was the first to introduce Sichuan, Thai, Italian, Mexican, and Californian cuisine into the country. In 1972, it was the first to open a 24-hour coffee shop in India at Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai. Today, each restaurant is reflective of that tradition, setting benchmarks for an outstanding culinary experience.

About Valli & Valli
Valli & Valli was founded in 1934 and remains a Valli family business. The company prides itself on its functional yet distinctive designs, uncompromising craftsmanship and quality production. Its products are manufactured near Milan, and are distributed in more than 70 nations. Valli &Valli has its own commercial branches in Germany, Belgium, England, Ireland and the United States. More information about Valli & Valli is available at

About VingCard Elsafe
The world leader in hotel security technology, ASSA ABLOY Hospitality has products installed in more than 33,000 properties worldwide, securing in excess of 5.5 million hotel rooms. The ASSA ABLOY Group, a publicly listed company, is a world leader in security and hospitality systems. VingCard provides numerous electronic locking system solutions, including traditional magnetic-stripe and smartcard systems, fully integrated PMS interface software solutions and worldwide service and support. Elsafe provides the first UL-listed (1037) hotel safe series on the market today in keypad and card-based models. Safes that include an internal power outlet to support recharging of laptops and camcorders also are available with a UL listing. Elsafe customers also enjoy the same worldwide service and support. The ASSA ABLOY Hospitality Group is dedicated to the hospitality industry. For more information on VingCard Elsafe, visit or .

Contact
Ivan Aramayo
Director of Marketing and Communication
Irun, Spain
Email: iaramayo@vcegroup.com

Organization
Vingcard, an ASSA ABLOY brand
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