Ghent: a beautiful medieval city in Belgium. It was founded in the 7th century at the confluence of two wonderful rivers, and during the Middle Ages, it was the busiest port in all of Europe. For over 300 years, Ghent was the biggest city in Europe next to Paris.
And today, it's still a vibrant, beautifully preserved gem of a town filled with university students and a brand new Marriott hotel - which is why I'm here. With our partners, Harry Gross of New York and Marc Wybraeke of Belgium, we opened this beautiful 150-room hotel. It's located in the heart of the old city in four historic guild houses on a cobblestone street.
They preserved the ancient facades, but the interior is a modern mix of glass, bright colors and old brick. It feels a lot like a boutique hotel with our new "great room" installed here where people are all coming together to get to know one another, to work privately or quietly, to have a drink or have a snack, or just sit and people watch. There's a charming bar and a restaurant, and the rooms are really terrific. When you look out the windows at night, you see the wonderful canal going by our hotel and the gothic-style buildings, which are all lit up. There are several cathedrals towering over the skyline. It's really a breathtaking view.
This is our fifth hotel in Belgium and our 107th hotel in continental Europe. I just opened another hotel in Paris as well, the Rive Gauche Marriott Conference Center on the left bank. It's 700 rooms, but still has the intimate feel of a boutique, even in the public spaces where we have a "great room" there as well. It's very modern, edgy and cool.
I'm Bill Marriott and thank you for helping me keep Marriott on the move.
Dear Mr Marriott,
Although I appreciate you probably have a lot to more tell about your own fine companies than you can fit into this Blog, I am very curious whether you would consider to comment on the new venues one of your former associates Mr Horst Schulze who amongst others just opened a marvel in Austria, Schloss Velden....and one of his beliefs that a top tier hotel should not have much more than 100 rooms in order to keep service in impeccable order...
Thank you
Regards
Posted by: gje | 05/30/2007 at 12:03 PM
Can't wait to go to Belgium. The hotel sounds wonderful. I'm just a silver member and my whole family loves staying in Marriott hotels. As part of her birthday present my 12 year old said she wanted to stay in a Renaissance Hotel. Still trying to figure out what Matz is so upset about. Things aren't always perfect at the hotels but what in life is? I chose Marroitt because my family feels safe and comfortable during our stays. If there are problem's the staff has normally gone above and beyond to take care of it.
Posted by: Blake Brashears | 05/29/2007 at 03:58 AM
oh it's a beautiful city.
Posted by: daisy | 05/28/2007 at 11:59 AM
We will investigate this new hotel in Belgium, as well as the new hotel in Paris to see of we can make any dreams come true for our family in 2007 :) !
Thanks, Bill, for keeping Marriott clients aware of your new hotels and locales that we may take advantage of!.....
Posted by: Ann & Michael Martin | 05/27/2007 at 07:11 PM
Good evening, Bill!
Congratulations on your 80th anniversary! I thought it would be apppropriate to let you know that on May, 24, 2007, my husband and I celebrated our 20th anniversary. Your parents came east 60 years before we pledged our love and devotion to one another and we seek out Marriott brand hotels to serve us and provide us with family memories. We love Marriott and consistantly request your accomocations for my husband who travels about 300!!! days per year for his job. His company tries to accomodate our requests. Please continue to serve your clients with your normal Marriott attention to detail and we will continue to seek out and request the Marriott brand of hotels for our business and personal needs. Happy Anniversary!
Ann & Michael Martin
Posted by: Ann & Michael Martin | 05/27/2007 at 07:03 PM
Quite a blog you run. Everyone seems to love uncle Bill and the marriott hotels.Why not, for the sake of honesty, publish less complimentary comments (my comments were ignored. Iwill find other venues outside the family As a lifetime platinumm guest ,more recently a former guest who prefers to boycott your operation, I am highly insulted Your community service is admireable. Pay attention to your non-existing customer service
Posted by: matz | 05/27/2007 at 03:16 PM
i appreciate the marriott company blending in with the themes of it hotels around the world. the brand new hotel in belgium.
ken
Posted by: ken williams | 05/25/2007 at 11:11 PM