La Quinta Inns & Suites Inks $11 Million Network & Communications Deal with Verizon

LQ Management L.L.C., owner and operator of La Quinta Inns & Suites, understands that integrated IT and communications can help provide a better guest experience, which is why the company continues to rely on Verizon Business.

Under a new three-year, $11 million agreement that extends the two companies' existing relationship, Verizon Business is providing an integrated network and communications solution that includes voice-over-IP service for LQ Management's operations and wireless access for guests at its nearly 800 corporate-owned and franchise hotels located in 46 states.

LQ Management, headquartered in Irving, Texas, needed a secure and reliable underlying infrastructure for connecting its widespread operations, including its reservation call center in Canada and its centralized data center. Verizon's global Private IP network, with its six classes of service for prioritizing business applications, was an ideal solution, capable of growing with the company, which added 80 properties in 2008 and 90 properties in 2009, to accommodate its expanding base of leisure and business travelers.

"The benefits of upgrading our IT infrastructure for long-term, strategic growth have been innumerable," says Vivek Shaiva, CIO with LQ Management L.L.C. "Consolidating our data, voice and video applications onto one network has simplified our operations, proven to be cost effective, and significantly reduced technical issues across our locations, resulting in enhanced customer service."

La Quinta Inns & Suites, recently ranked by Business Travel News Magazine as one of the top mid-tier hotels for business travelers, offers its guests free in-room high-speed Internet access powered by Verizon, in addition to comfortable and affordable accommodations.