Our New Boutique Brand
;)
I hope you've all read about our new joint venture with Ian Schrager to develop boutique hotels around the world. We're really excited about this because Ian obviously invented the boutique hotel concept and is certainly one of the most creative forces in the hotel industry today.
When we decided that we would have a press conference, we thought about what would be the greatest venue and we selected the rooftop of the Gramercy Park hotel in New York. When I visited with Ian several months ago at the Gramercy Park, the rooftop was not yet finished. But, Ian took me up there to show me what he was planning on doing. I had no idea. I could not envision in my own mind any concept of what he was planning and thinking about.
When I showed up there for the press conference, I was blown away. He has really created a Garden of Eden in downtown New York. The rooftop is covered with flowers, blooms, trees and plants, and there are several places to eat, to dine, to celebrate, to have parties, to have functions, to have a drink, to meet friends, or just to kind of sit around and chat. It's a tremendous venue and it was so creative.
One of the things that impressed me the most was he took these old, clear light bulbs that we used to use back in the '20s, and he's got them all hanging from the ceiling in one room. There must be 500 to 1,000 of these things hanging up in the ceiling and the whole ceiling is aglow with glitter and excitement. This is truly a great venue and it has really, again, convinced me of how great it's going to be to be developing hotels with the godfather of all boutique hotels, Ian Schrager.
I'm Bill Marriott and thank you for helping me keep Marriott on the move.
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Posted By: Beth Stallings (8/23/2007)
Comment: Mr. Marriott,
Love the new concept...but, please, please, please put better standards in your franchisee properties. They hassle us business travelers on Platinum coupons (will not honor them), room upgrades and consistency of quality. I like staying at your properties (as you can tell by my # of nights / year = 100+), but am always concerned when I am in a new location and don't have any experience at that particular location. I many times choose to stay at a competitor if I know that they are corporately owned. I could probably be a Lifetime Platinum if I had more consistent experience-but, I pretty much alter my hotel choice based on whether or not the Marriott is corporate or franchised. Thanks for listening! Beth Stallings
Posted By: ernie lake (8/20/2007)
Comment: I think this is great!
If you ever need real custom music for your properties???
Please checkout elrecords,com
I think this could be an amazing fit for what your creating.
Posted By: Janis Pope (8/16/2007)
Comment: That's exciting news to hear of the development of Boutique Hotels with Ian Schrager, this movement keeps Marriott with a young approach and as the old saying goes 'If you do not grow you die'. Personally I have been MVCI multiple week owner now for many years, but would really welcome the development of more resorts located in Asia Pacific, not forgetting Tuscany, Italy.I do recall these areas being marked for development, would welcome an update.
Posted By: Jenny (8/15/2007)
Comment: Thank you for providing a format that allows your guests to know what new changes we have to look forward to on our next visit to any of your properties.
Posted By: Bud Cranford (8/15/2007)
Comment: El Paso, TX has a new Fazio Golf Course that is located on Airport property. There is no hotel built there yet, now scheduled for 2010. Until that hotel is opened, the local Marriott shoud advertize a golf package and shuttle golfers to and from the course. The course is world class and the staff is excellent.
Posted By: Gabriel Ballantine (8/13/2007)
Comment: Bill,plans for a boutique hotel in Rome? city center maybe? or more marriott properties.I recently travel to Europe and was not able to stay at any your three location in Rome. they had been fully booked for months. F.Y.I The Bexleheath Marriott UK. has a superved service.Roy and the rest of the staff really brings this property just in service, to a category 9
Posted By: kev (8/13/2007)
Comment: Mr.Marriott what about ohio The Columbus bring this to the columbus hotel
Posted By: Will (8/13/2007)
Comment: I've always been impressed with creative minds such as that of Ian Schrager. I'm interested to see how this business match will play out with the well established Marriott name, however. Also, I too, like Richard, second the move for one of these hotels in Chicago.
Posted By: skb (8/9/2007)
Comment: Mr. Marriott,
Your last paragraph caught my eye. If the "500 - 1000" ..."clear light bulbs" are incandecent, the elecrical consumption must be exraordinary and definitely not in alignment w/Marriott's "Green" policy. I'm confident that Marriott energy standards will be applied to the new property designs.
Posted By: richard reeder (8/9/2007)
Comment: Bill:
Brilliant concept teaming up with Ian Schrager. Will we have any of these new boutique hotels in Chicago for (we sincerely hope)the 2016 Olympics?
Posted By: John Lewis (8/8/2007)
Comment: Dear Bill,
I think the boutique hotel idea is great- and as an owner at the Grand Residence Club in Tahoe, let me tell you why.
I have been an owner for a couple years now at Grand Residence Club in South Lake Tahoe. I have been a business owner and an entrepreneur for over 20 years. In my entire business career, I rarely find an organization, and specifically two individuals as efficient and helpful (always with a smile) as Heather ********** and Becky ****** in your Member Services office in Salt Lake City.
As an example, Heather helped me plan and book a five week vacation through Europe last summer and we were able to get some great hotels using our Marriott points. Becky has also been equally helpful on a number of occasions and I can't tell you how impressed I am with the level of service we get from these two outstanding employees. For the past few years I have spoken to them by phone and email at least once a month, and I have NEVER gotten anything less than GREAT SERVICE.
I am not sure how many owners take advantage of the services you provide, but if there are any who do not, they should be contacted and notified of how much value your customer service department brings to their ownership at Marriott's GRC.
These girls deserve a raise, and if there are any areas within Marriott that need to improve their level of customer service, I would send one of these girls there so they can lead by example. If you incorporate this type of service into your new boutique hotels - they will be a big hit.
I run a line of Executive Suites and believe me when I say i know how important customer service is. You should look into how they run their operation in Salt Lake and duplicate it in other areas at Marriott.
John Lewis
President
www.MyExecutiveSpace.com
www.FindJohnDoe.com
