This is Bill Marriott, blogging from Beijing, China. This week, we designated our new JW Marriott at China Central Place our 3,000th hotel in the Marriott portfolio. "Chi" is the Chinese word for energy and that describes what has happened in this country of 1.3 billion people since my last visit here in 2004.
I was here in 1979 and then there were nothing on the streets but bicycles. Now, today, there is nothing on the streets but new cars. All the bicycles are gone, and Beijing is a city of tremendous traffic, skyscrapers and 15 million people.
Our China Central Place development is home to the 23-story JW Marriott, a Ritz-Carlton and a lot of new office buildings and dozens of high end boutiques like Armani, Chanel, Tiffany's and, of course, Starbucks. By next year's Olympic Games, Marriott will have 11 hotels here in Beijing and more than 50 in China in a couple of years.
But many of the old traditions remain. At our ribbon cutting ceremony, I dotted the eyes of the Chinese lions that danced for us. That gave them the spirit of life in the same way that our hotels will bring economic vitality and jobs to Beijing.
Our Ritz-Carlton Financial Center hotel is in Beijing's emerging business district with skyscrapers that house the world's biggest financial institutions. There's a giant screen TV at the foot of the indoor swimming pool where they play old black and white movies in Chinese and English, like Citizen Kane. A bit of the old mixed in with a lot of the new. At every hotel room door in our hotel, there is a small glass animal that signals good luck to the occupants of that room. And the hotel has been designed to incorporate the values of feng shui, which means wind and water in Chinese. That symbolizes balance. The restaurants are themed around the elements of fire, water, wood and earth. There are pools of water both inside and outside the hotel to make sure that the money doesn't flow away from the building. That symbolizes financial success for the enterprise.
When we opened our first Marriott in Hong Kong in 1989, I never imagined that we'd be doing business in Beijing or Shanghai and have 34 hotels open in China. Now I can't imagine not doing business here.
I'm Bill Marriott in Beijing where Marriott is definitely on the move.
Photos from my travels in China
Wow! Another beautiful hotel, just like all the other Marriott's. I hope to be traveling there next year, and i'll make sure I stay there.
Posted by: Jennifer | 10/13/2007 at 10:46 AM
I have been looking at your photos in Flickr and am thrilled to see these locations as you see them. The events and perspective as just a regular person as opposed to stylized marketing pictures by professionals are a really nice touch.
Keep them coming!
Posted by: Tracy Lee Carroll | 10/09/2007 at 03:00 PM
As a Platinum member and regular guest to the Marriot chain of hotels in China, I'm delighted to see more sites are added to the existing list. I've special praise for a great leadership team in Renaissance Tianjin TEDA, supporting by group of dedicated staff with impeccable service. I'm extremely pleased with Randall C K ****, Dir of Rooms that went the extra mile for organizing an offsite banquet with almost impossible timing. Great team, Great job!! Dominic Seak
Posted by: Dominic Seak | 09/30/2007 at 08:33 PM
Mr. Marriott,
I have been a platinum level with the Marriott Hotels for over a dozen years. Do travel to China and stay at a Marriott every year for several years. Bejing Marriott West had the best accomodations followed by Marriott China Hotel in Guanzhou where GM Meng ** service was second to none. I was trated like a VIP, even though I am not a Marriott, by John ********, the GM for the Marriott in Shanghai. The dedication of the Chinese Marriott Staff and the great Management Team that include Messers Shaw and Fullar present the unbeatable combination which compels this guest to go across town from my meeting to stay at a Marriott. Thank you, Naqvi
Posted by: Syed Naqvi | 09/29/2007 at 06:40 AM
Its nice to see hte sleeping giant awaken by a giant like Marriott. What are the possibilities of advancements in New Zealand?
Posted by: Amanda | 09/28/2007 at 04:28 PM
Thanks for the photos (as promised). I'm glad to hear your trip in China has thus far been successful for you and your team. I look forward to seeing more of your trip.
Posted by: William | 09/27/2007 at 06:45 PM
I really enjoyed your pictures of China. However, I have a request. I'm a little fussy about speaking proper English. Instead of Me with the staff.... for a title of a picture, I believe that proper usage of the English language dictates that you should write I with the staff.... I realize that it sounds strange, but American people should be hearing and seeing correct grammar.
Posted by: Gersten Schachne | 09/27/2007 at 12:41 PM
Dear Mr. Bill,
I was a child of twelve or thirteen years when the Marriott hotel used to navigate through the eternal like sea waters of the warm Kuwaiti shores. I can still remember up till this day the distinguished saline atmosphere of those cruises, as my parents regularly dined at that majestic monument that proudly stood announcing the elegant Marriott hospitality to the comers. My better memories of my childhood were spent in Kuwait, although they surface within me like faint echoes of a joyful past sometimes. The Marriott is a part of my past that I cannot let go nor will ever forget. Your hotel chains connect the past with the present in such a magical unending way Mr. Marriott. I believe the seafaring Marriott hotel relates much with your nonstop journeys form country to country establishing and cementing successful businesses. Congratulations on your three thousandth hotel and all the best of luck on your future ventures.
Posted by: Feras Werr | 09/27/2007 at 11:27 AM
Dear Mr Marriott,
I am delighted to hear about your advances in China. Like you I came to Asia 11 years ago and never thought I would still be here! I have a company dealing especially in supplying in hotel amenities to 5* hotels and boutique hotels throughout the world. I would very much like the opportunity to be able to provide you with some unique and inspiring products for your new hotels, Regards Rebecca
Posted by: Rebecca Middleton | 09/26/2007 at 07:50 PM
Dear Bill Marriott,
While you are away your reps are notably working at home.
I would like to compliment Carolyn A.--- of the Salt Lake Office for assisting me with a certificate reservation for Rome that she assisted in completing for me. This is in celebration of my wife's retirement and our 40th wedding anniversary. Carolyn's enthusiasm in making this reservation successfully made me more excited in the planning and the sunshine in her voice added to the joy of knowing we made a great choice when we established a long term timeshare relationship between my family and the Marriott Company back in 1997. She is a wonderful representative for you and reflected the caring attitude for which the Marriott family shouild be proud.
Sincerely, Dennis
Posted by: Dennis Fanning | 09/26/2007 at 10:35 AM
That is a tough to beat swimming pool!
Posted by: Craig Mische | 09/26/2007 at 09:30 AM
Thanks for posting the pictures but I will have to check them from home because I wasn't able to pull them up bigger to get a closer look while at work.
Posted by: Peggy | 09/26/2007 at 09:12 AM