• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, November 12, 2008

In a first, a hotel will be offering TiVo devices in the rooms of all guests starting next month. When the Mondrian boutique hotel opens in Miami Beach, guests will have access to the device's time-shifting and ad-skipping functions.

The Mondrian is owned by Morgans Hotel Group, which also operates the well-known Delano in Miami Beach, as well as the Royalton and the Hudson in New York, and the St. Martins Lane in London.

While it is a first for the TiVo brand, it is unclear whether the initiative marks the first time that any hotel has offered in-room DVRs. The move comes as hotels continue to upgrade the audio and video offerings for guests (flat-panel TVs are now a regular offering).

Scott Williams, executive vice president and CMO of Morgans Hotel Group, said: "Our guests expect innovation from every encounter in our hotels. They love all things digital."

TiVo Senior Vice President Joe Miller added: "When traveling, schedules can be unpredictable and television choices in hotels are typically limited, making it far more difficult to watch your favorite programs."

TiVo said the devices in the Mondrian will allow guests to record two shows at once, and simultaneously watch a third that has already been recorded.

The Mondrian opens in South Beach on Dec. 1.