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UniFi for Hospitality: The Marathon Retreat Case Study

Introduction

Marathon Retreat is a high-end AirBnB/VRBO property in Marathon, Florida, in the heart of the Florida Keys. The retreat needed reliable internet across roughly 40,000 square feet of hospitality space.

Because the property hosts corporate gatherings and personal getaways, guests expect fast, stable, and secure connectivity. However, the previous provider delivered poor coverage and frequent downtime. The existing setup was also a confusing mix of platforms (including Pakedge and UniFi) with inconsistent configuration.

Marathon Retreat contacted The UniFi Nerds for help. We specialize in UniFi for hospitality deployments and provide nationwide service. Our team focuses on
structured cabling, remote monitoring, and tailored installations. As a result, we were able to assess the environment quickly and rebuild the network the right way.

Property Background

The retreat includes multiple detached buildings surrounded by dense foliage. Each building supports guests who need seamless connectivity for both work and relaxation.

Corporate clients rely on video calls, file sharing, and real-time collaboration. Meanwhile, leisure guests want smooth streaming, gaming, and social media access. Therefore, Marathon Retreat needed one unified network across every building, with centralized management and strong security policies.

Challenges

The property faced several issues that required a custom design:

• Multi-building coverage: Guests and staff needed reliable WiFi across multiple structures.
• Poor prior installation: The existing network was incomplete and misconfigured.
• Distance and foliage: Long runs and dense landscaping made traditional cabling difficult in key areas.
• Security gaps: The previous setup lacked proper segmentation and security controls.
• Frequent downtime: Service disruptions damaged the guest experience and created constant support issues.

The Proposed Solution

We recommended a unified UniFi deployment using a mix of wired and wireless links. This approach is common in UniFi for hospitality projects where buildings are spread out.

• Core gateway and controller: UniFi Dream Machine for centralized control and security.
• Switching: Five 48-Port Pro PoE switches to power 50+ access points and bridge devices.
• Building-to-building connectivity: UniFi Building-to-Building Bridges to connect distant structures without trenching.
• Outdoor links: UISP antennas for challenging outdoor paths and longer distances.

Overall, the design prioritized stable coverage, strong security, and easy scalability.

Implementation

We replaced outdated cabling with high-quality Cat6 and used fiber where needed. Next, we deployed 42 UniFi access points across five buildings. We also used building-to-building bridges to connect distant areas, which helped eliminate blind spots and increase wireless capacity.

For security, we configured VLANs to separate guest traffic from internal operations. This protected sensitive systems while still giving guests a smooth browsing experience.

Because foliage can interfere with outdoor wireless links, we tuned each bridge for stability. We also optimized channel widths and power levels to reduce overlap and improve roaming performance. Finally, our engineers tested the network thoroughly before handoff.

The previous installer’s mistakes required extra cleanup. For example, we rerouted incorrectly placed cables and repositioned access points that had been installed in poor locations. We also verified grounding and surge protection, especially for outdoor equipment. As a result, the network became more stable and easier to maintain.

We completed the rollout within the agreed timeline*.

Results

The Marathon Retreat saw an immediate improvement in reliability. Staff stopped receiving complaints about dropped connections. Guests could roam between buildings without losing signal. Corporate clients ran video conferences without buffering, and leisure guests streamed and played online games smoothly.

In addition, VLAN segmentation improved data security across the property. The UniFi Dream Machine also enabled remote monitoring and real-time visibility. That allowed our team to spot issues early and keep performance consistent.

The property manager also appreciated the neat cabling and clean installation. Because switching was centralized, future expansion is simpler. If the retreat adds buildings or increases capacity, the network can scale without a full redesign.

Testimonial

After one year of service, the property manager shared strong feedback. Under the old setup, they needed tech support at least twice a week. Since 2022, they have had zero help desk contacts.

Why? The system is stable, and we monitor it around the clock. As a result, we often resolve small issues before staff even notices. The manager described the outcome as “pretty flawless” and praised our proactive approach. That result reflects what a properly designed UniFi for hospitality deployment can deliver.

Key Lessons in UniFi for Hospitality

• Expert planning matters: Good design prevents dead zones and chronic outages.
• Structured cabling improves long-term reliability: Clean wiring reduces failures and simplifies support.
• VLANs protect guests and staff: Segmentation reduces risk and improves control.
• Outdoor bridging solves distance challenges: With proper tuning, wireless links can handle foliage and long paths.
• Proactive monitoring reduces downtime: Catching issues early prevents bigger incidents.
• Documentation helps operations: Clear labeling and records make future work easier.

Conclusion

Marathon Retreat now has fast, secure, and stable WiFi across every building. This upgrade required professional planning, correct hardware selection, and careful installation.

Our UniFi for hospitality solution combined structured cabling, properly placed access points, and reliable building-to-building connectivity. We solved challenges caused by distance, foliage, and outdated equipment. Most importantly, the guest experience improved while management stress dropped.

If you manage a hospitality property with similar network challenges, The UniFi Nerds can help. We offer free consultations in all 50 states and specialize in secure, high-performance UniFi deployments. Contact us today to learn how we can upgrade your network.

* Leadership at the retreat allowed our crew to stay on-site during each phase of installation for days at a time. While we didn’t get to enjoy the amenities, we do recommend the property for corporate events or family getaways.

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