Strive for a Higher Standard in Modern Living

The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, beautifully situated between Los Angeles and San Diego, isn’t just known for its majestic views. The hallmark of the resort lies in its dedication to impeccable service. Located in Orange County, with nearby communities such as Newport Coast and Laguna Beach that boast EV ownership rates of 12.9% and 8.6% respectively, there was a clear need to enhance the guest experience by catering to the rising demand for EV charging.

Decoding the Unique Challenge: Valet-Only Parking

The property, with its Valet Parking Only setup, presented a unique challenge. On any given day, the resort’s valets need to park over 200 vehicles. EV charging creates additional steps for valets, who need to track the vehicles’ states of charge and determine when to plug in and unplug each vehicle. Steve Landon, Director of Engineering at the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, realized the pressing need for an intuitive and reliable platform that would enable the valet team to manage parking and charging without any hitches.

Choosing EV Connect Tailored Service and Dependability

Several factors made EV Connect the clear choice for The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel project. The EV Connect valet dashboard’s ease-of-use, the inclusion of comprehensive parts and labor service coverage on the stations, and EV Connect’s 14 years of experience running charging programs for large hotel properties were all compelling factors. The new Marriott-EV Connect partnership made the project a no-brainer.

“EV Connect has been with us 100% of the way and truly a great partner in this project from start to finish”

–Steve Landon, Director of Engineering, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

Rapid Implementation: From Concept to Reality

The speed at which the project was executed impressed Landon. From initial design to becoming fully operational took a mere 12 weeks. EV Connect worked with Landon’s electrician to oversee the installation of eight PowerCharge level 2 chargers for the valet team.

“EV Connect has been with us 100% of the way and truly a great partner in this project from start to finish,” shared Steve Landon, underscoring the collaboration.

EV Connect Shield: Ensuring Consistency and Reliability

In the hospitality sector, consistency of service is the key. The inclusion of Shield – EV Connect’s no-hassle comprehensive service plan – provided the resort with a solution that essentially offloaded station operations and maintenance from the facilities team. With EV Connect Shield, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel ensured that its charging stations were always up and running without hotel staff having to intervene.

“As a Director of Engineering, there’s a million things I have on my plate. EV Connect Shield gave me the peace of mind that our stations would have the high uptime that our guests expect without requiring a resource on my staff,” said Landon. “It also gives me budget certainty. Because parts and labor are all included, I know exactly what my O&M budget is going to be. I can forecast it. There are no surprises.”

“EV Connect Shield gave me the peace of mind that our stations would have the high uptime that our guests expect”

–Steve Landon, Director of Engineering, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

Impressive Results After Just One Month

The immediate benefits of this collaboration were remarkable.

“In the first month of operation, 161 guests benefitted from the charging stations, a feat that would have been impossible before the installation,” said Landon.

This translates to 12,000 EV miles and a commendable reduction of over 26,000 kg in greenhouse emissions. That’s an over 7 percent reduction in The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel’s overall carbon footprint in 30 days. These sustainability KPIs are easy to report on in the EV Connect Dashboard.

Building on Early Wins

Having proved the value in the first month, Landon’s engineering team is eager to expand on and optimize the program. Functionality in the dashboard can help them do that.

“We can see via the EV Connect Dashboard that the chargers are most active with day use and departing guests used between 10 am and 3 pm,” said Landon. “This allows us to manage who is on a charger during the day and which guests can wait until overnight to charge when electricity is least expensive.”

While they do not currently charge guests for this service, they plan to implement a fee structure in the near future as part of their evolving sustainability strategy. The Pricing and Plans functionality of the Dashboard makes it straightforward to implement paid charging.

Recommendations for Implementing EV Charging: A Hotel Engineering Perspective

Hotels must adapt and evolve based on guest needs. As the EV adoption wave gains momentum, installing EV chargers is no longer an option; it’s a necessity for the hospitality industry. For properties looking to embark on this journey, Landon’s experience offers some key learnings.

Understand Your Guests: Before diving into EV charging, analyze your guests’ needs. Are they increasingly driving EVs? Do they request charging facilities? Tailor the experience to suit the level of service and convenience that your guests expect.
Collaborate with the Right Partner: Prioritize a solution that offers end-to-end services. Comprehensive service plans, like EV Connect Shield, that handle proactive monitoring, maintenance, and other operations can be invaluable. This not only ensures high uptime but also offloads the management burden from the hotel staff.
Prioritize Ease-of-Use: Especially for hotels with unique offerings like valet-only parking. The platform should be intuitive, ensuring staff can operate it seamlessly in the course of their normal duties.
Value Flexibility: The needs of hotels can change based on guest feedback, technological advancements, or even regional energy trends. Choose a charging partner that’s flexible and can adapt or scale solutions based on evolving needs.
Budgeting and ROI: While setting up EV chargers represents a cost, it’s also an investment. Hotels can earn back through paid charging. Moreover, being equipped with a comprehensive service plan can provide budget certainty, preventing unexpected maintenance costs.

Following these recommendations will not only ensure that you’re catering to the modern needs of your guests but also position your hotel to set a new standard for the hospitality industry.

The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel Elevates Guest Service with EV Connect