Zyxel boosts staff Wi-Fi at Maldives Marriott resort

Zyxel Networks has deployed its Nebula cloud networking system at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa, installing more than 100 access points and switches across staff accommodation.

The project focused on workforce connectivity rather than guest internet services. Zyxel worked with Plexus Distribution and Focus Computers on the rollout.

Providing coverage across five residential blocks for resort staff had proved difficult. Metal-panel walls reduced the effectiveness of corridor-mounted access points, prompting a redesign of the wireless layout.

Rather than relying on shared hallway coverage, the network was designed for room-level access. Around 95 indoor NWA90AX PRO access points were installed inside staff rooms, while NWA55AXE outdoor units extended coverage to gardens and communal areas.

GS1920-24HPv2 switches were installed in each accommodation block to provide the wired network. Their Power over Ethernet support let the resort place access points where needed without adding as much cabling across multiple buildings.

The entire network is managed through Zyxel's Nebula platform, giving the IT team a central view of access points, switches, and settings. It also includes a monitoring tool called Wireless Health, which can identify and diagnose Wi-Fi issues and adjust performance before they disrupt day-to-day operations.

For the resort, the deployment was intended to simplify management as well as improve coverage consistency. The cloud-based design reduced operational complexity for the local IT team.

"To ensure a strong and stable internet experience for our associates, we decided to install individual APs inside each room. For this, we needed a high-quality solution at an affordable price. That is why we selected Zyxel Networks' products for our upgrade," said Dilanka Adikari, Senior IT Specialist, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa.

Adikari also praised the management platform after the installation. "The Zyxel Nebula cloud networking solution has made managing all APs, switches, and their configurations extremely easy. It has simplified our operations and improved the overall network reliability," said Adikari.

Hospitality focus

The deployment highlights a part of hotel technology infrastructure that often receives less attention than guest-facing services. Staff accommodation and back-of-house areas still need dense, dependable wireless coverage because hotel operations rely on employees staying connected across dispersed sites.

That is especially relevant for remote resorts, where accommodation blocks, operational buildings, and communal spaces may be spread across a large footprint. In those settings, Wi-Fi design must account for building materials, outdoor areas, and the practical limits of on-site IT resources.

More than 7,000 hotels and resorts use Zyxel's hospitality networking products worldwide, according to the company. It also says its products are used by more than 1 million businesses across 150 markets.

For networking suppliers, hospitality remains a market where cloud-based management tools can appeal to operators that want central oversight without large on-site technical teams. Hotels and resorts have also been investing in more segmented networks, separating guest access from operational systems and staff use.

At JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa, the installation appears to have been driven by those operational needs rather than guest-facing amenities. The emphasis on room-by-room staff coverage suggests the project was designed around day-to-day workforce use and the property's practical constraints.

"Reliable connectivity for hospitality workforces is often overlooked, yet it is every bit as demanding as guest-facing networks. After all, guests may be on holiday, but the network never is," said Gary Chen, ANZ Regional Head, Zyxel Networks.

Chen said the project tested both design and local delivery in a difficult environment. "This project shows what is possible when the right technology meets strong local expertise. The result is reliable connectivity that keeps operations running smoothly and proves that even the thickest walls do not always get the last word," said Chen.