Hi, this is Bill Marriott. This week, I'm traveling to Los Angeles for a big hotel developers' conference. We're going to be talking about how the industry's going, and I'll review the plans for our new LA Live hotel - that's going to be a combination Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, and Ritz-Carlton Residences - right in downtown LA.
Well let's not talk about that now. Let's talk about what our guests want. We know they want to be comfortable and have the best beds in the world, which I hope you've tried. We also know they want great technology and access in the room and lobby. But I know, like me, they're also looking for places to exercise and stay fit. That's why our spa business has grown so quickly. In 2001, we had 19 spas. Five years later, we've tripled. We now have 64 spas in 20 different countries.
Over the Christmas holidays, I was in Florida with my wife at the Harbor Beach Marriott in Fort Lauderdale, and my wife said to me, "You're shrinking. You've got to pick up at least an inch."
My daughter-in-law said the same thing. I said, "Well, how do I pick up an inch?"
She said, "You've got to start using Pilates! You've got to take a Pilates class."
I said, "What's that?"
And she said, "We'll show you."
So I got with a Pilates instructor at Harbor Beach, and I did five courses of Pilates while I was down there, and I loved it. I never felt better. It stretched me out, and I think I grew a half an inch! All I did was stretch and move back and forth on a little roller seat. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, and the instructor was terrific. So, any of you who are losing an inch and want to stand up straight and look virile and healthy, get this Pilates thing going for you.
Thanks for helping me keep Marriott on the move.
It is wonderful and encouraging to know about the many wonderful work you are doing.Just knowing that there are people like yourself, giving back and making a difference in this world is heartwarming. Continue with the pilates. I do hope your next service at your hotels will be encouraging guests to adopt a healthy lifestyle, through exercise and diet.I will be completing my studies next spring and I am looking forward to start working at one of your hotels by then. Thank you for your many blessings and may you be blessed more abundantly.
Posted by: Kerry | 10/06/2007 at 04:06 AM
I work with a number of people associated with the Marriott corporation in my Pilates studios in the DC area and Bill I am thrilled that you shared your Pilates experience with the world.We certainly need it.
Posted by: mike wright | 05/04/2007 at 01:55 PM
Hi Bill,
I am a travel agent in Indiana who bleeds Marriott. I have a large corporate client that I book for. Last year, we did about $185,000.00 with Marriott worldwide. I also own a day spa, and teach pilates classes! I was so proud to read that you do pilates! I have the article on our coffee table in our lobby. Please drop me a note if you can.
Thanks,
Monica Kerns
Posted by: Monica Kerns | 03/06/2007 at 12:37 AM
I live and teach Pilates and Reiki in Turks & Caicos and must say I do miss Marriotts and driving into downtown Philadelphia from our house in the suburbs and checking into a club level room at the Ritz for a few nights--heaven! Here we have a under construction Ritz Carlton managed private island, but that's a bit different. Anyway, I'm really glad you started Pilates, Bill and chose to write about it in your blog. Most of my clients are over 50 and find the benefits of a stronger core and more flexibility combined with non-painful enjoyable Pilates exercise to be addictive. Good for you!
Posted by: Lynda Lippin | 02/23/2007 at 12:26 PM
Wow, I'm impressed that you are doing pilates. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Vegas Hotel Specials | 02/01/2007 at 08:05 AM
Yes to Pilates! My husband and I are Silver members, can't quite make it to the Gold. We feel when we are away from home the bed closest to our own is in a Marriott.You can't enjoy a vacation if the bed is lousy....we love the service and and especially the JW Resorts are the BEST!
Posted by: peggy mihm | 01/28/2007 at 02:37 AM
It would be nice to see a response once in a while from Bill (does he even read it?). It just takes away from the personal touch having a platform like this just so that some job description does this as a job
Posted by: fluke watson | 01/26/2007 at 07:34 AM
Bill, I've been doing my homework on the Marriott and learning all that I can. I hope in the near future we can sit down with a number of your people and talk about the technilogical advances that could really thrust your attendees to come back as you quoted We also know they want great technology and access in the room and lobby. I have something you need to see but I wish to speak in person, please contact me or those whom are in a position of where the direction of your highly spoken of Hotels go, Thanks
Trevor
Posted by: Business Owner | 01/26/2007 at 01:50 AM
Having stayed 78 nights at various Marriott hotels around the world during 2006, I must say that your new nonsmoking policy is the best policy ever implemented by your company. Not only is it good for your guests, but it is also good for your employees. I look forward to the policy's expansion outside of North America.
Posted by: A Platinum Level Guest | 01/26/2007 at 12:53 AM
I rather like Mr. Marrott's intro and find it more charming than not. By the way, Marriott Blog Team I'm betting your software provides the ability to identify each blogger e.g, By Bill Marriott, By senior vip, By Bell Captain so there really is no need for the Hi I'm Bill Marriott ; however, it could turn into a 'signature opening.' One more tip - if you do bring in multiple authors consider some non senior vips. I would love to read what a Bell Captain has to say about life at the front door.
Posted by: Toby | 01/25/2007 at 01:34 PM
First off, I really like what you have done with the hotels, including standardizing the beds across all brands. I'm a platinum member with 150+ nights across various brands and having a consistant bed has made all the difference.
I saw you on one of the news programs the other night talking about the new blogs and had to come check them out. I think this is great, not many companies have or even allow their CEOs to be this interactive with the customers. One thing that would be great to see in these blogs (and probably keep folks reading them all the time) would be to share new hotel features or special deals for blog readers.
Keep up the great work and let us know how things are going.
Posted by: Brian | 01/25/2007 at 05:10 AM
The Marriott beds are incredible, love the spa updates, classes would be a bonus. Only request; better communication w/reservations commitment outside the US, i.e. Cancun, from hotel staff even for Platinum members. Enjoy the pilates.
Posted by: Faithful Marriott Follower | 01/25/2007 at 04:21 AM
To the corporate PR team, who sanitizes this blog, or to the people who transcribe the blog, please don't start Mr. Marriott's transcribed enteries with "Hi this is Bill Marriott...." DUH, We know that he is Bill Marriott...it's supposed to be his blog!!
Posted by: A little tip | 01/25/2007 at 01:28 AM
Hi Bill--I am so glad you started a blog. I read your book The Spirit to Serve some years ago, and wondered how the inner-workings of Marriott has grown and changed since that publication.
Take care of yourself, Bill. You're good people. I look forward to reading more!
Posted by: Eve | 01/24/2007 at 11:48 PM
Thanks for the tip about Pilates! I love Marriott's new beds; you are the absolute BEST anywhere. I will choose to stay at a Marriott because I know I will always get outstanding , predictable service. Thank you Mr. Marriott.
Posted by: Janice Uible | 01/24/2007 at 03:58 PM
The pilates blog kills me- I think this is great!
Re: the non-smoking rooms- would the company consider offering a very small (5%-10%?) inventory of smoking rooms for a premium room rate? When I travel, I like to work in my room and smoke while I do so... I don't smoke much in public, and breaking from what I am doing in the room to seek out a designated smoking area is definitely not preferred.
Have you looked at whether smokers would be willing to pay a premium? We all pretty much know that smoking is bad, and we have to pay in one way or another. It could be like Hot HOV lanes, where they charge single drivers to use express lanes..
Keep up the Pilates!
Posted by: kcnw | 01/24/2007 at 01:47 PM