I'm blogging today from one of my favorite cities in the world - London. It's a busy few days for me over here. We just celebrated the 80th birthday of the famed Grosvenor House hotel located on Park Lane and overlooking beautiful Hyde Park. The weather has been glorious and springtime in London is truly terrific. The Grosvenor House is one of our newest additions to our luxury JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts brand and it is a beautiful, iconic property.
I remember staying at Grosvenor House with my wife Donna during our first trip to London in 1962 before we had any hotels anywhere outside the United States. We both thought it was such a magnificent hotel with so much history and in such a wonderful location. I'm thrilled that now, 47 years later, it's a flagship hotel for us.
I've also been to two hotel grand openings this week - a Courtyard with the brand's new look at Gatwick Airport, outside of London, and a Marriott hotel in Twickenham, the home of English rugby. There, I went on the rugby field, which is called a pitch, and received a jersey from a very famous rugby player (Jason Leonard).
And on top of all this, I'm very excited to share with you that we will be launching our successful Residence Inn brand in Europe with the first one opening in Munich, Germany, in 2011. This expansion of Residence Inn with future hotels planned will help boost our international growth and give travelers more options. In fact, over the next two years, we have over 700 hotels and 115,000 rooms in development around the world. Europe and the city of London have played a critical role in our company's international expansion and will continue to do so for many years ahead.
I'm Bill Marriott and thanks for helping me keep Marriott on the move.
In London Opening Marriott and Courtyard Hotels





That's one thing I LOVE about courtyard hotels. You have them everywhere in the world, so it makes international travel seem so much more like home :)
Posted by: Hotels Osage Beach | 05/13/2010 at 10:00 AM
Mr.Marriott, when in London, my wife and I stayed at your Renaissance Chancery Court hotel from April 25 to 27.
I never expected to encounter a better Marriott representative than Sam ****( River Rd. ext.****)
I take great delight in telling you that Sam has met his match. Jessie ** is a compleate "can do" hotel management representative. My wife had a fall near the hotel and Jessie came to our room,first aid kit in hand ,cleaned and dressed her wound and made complete arrangements for a hospital ER visit. She followed up on several occasions to be cerrtain that all was well.Jessie sent chocolate covered strawberries to our room.
My wife has told anyone who will listen about Jessie and Marriott.
Thank you for hiring such quality people. Move over Sam. Ed Phillips
Posted by: Edward Phillips | 05/07/2009 at 03:00 AM
Hi Bill, Please consider using Green/non-toxic cleaning supplies in all Marriott hotels. Your guests will feel much better after a hotel stay. Many people do not stay in hotels due to this issue. Take a leadership position, and follow the lead of some of your progressive hotels and other major hotel chains such as Fairmont which only uses green non toxic cleaning supplies in rooms and throughout their hotels. I am platinum member and can not continue to stay in rooms that have so much chemicals in them. The cost factor should not be much different. Please consider implementing this as soon as possible. Other than this issue,Marriot is the best for sure. Also if there a list of Marriot hotels that do use non toxic cleaning supplies now i would love to receive it. Thank you very much !!
Posted by: Bob Bell | 04/27/2009 at 12:17 PM
Very Nice!!!! it seems good, what can i say about it????
Posted by: allen | 04/26/2009 at 10:16 PM
Mr Marriott,
Another 2 hotels in the UK, certainly a tribute to the strength of your amazing brand, and the people behind it. It is great to see that, even in difficult times Marriott continue to invest in new openings, refurbishments, constantly enriching the guest experience.
Marriott is a brand held very close to my heart for many reasons, all of them very special: whilst employed at the Edinburgh Marriott, I met and fell in love with my now wife, we married at Marriott Dalmahoy, we honeymooned at the Marriott Son Antem, own 2 weeks with MVCI, need I continue?
We too have just returned from a spring break in London, we stayed this time at London Marriott West India Quay. What an amazing property, filled with truly professional and devoted staff. Only 6 weeks to go until we head to Marbella Beach Resort, our home from home for 2 weeks, follwed by celebrating my 30th birthday at London Marriott Grosvenor Sqaure. Another celebrated milestone in my life, once again with Marriott.
I wish you and all of your team continued success, and keep doing what you guys do best - creating lifelong memories and successes. Thank you.
Posted by: Iain Fraser | 04/25/2009 at 09:58 PM
Hello.bill.Congratulations for your successful opening in advance.
Posted by: mathew | 04/25/2009 at 04:02 PM
Mr. Marriott, I'm glad to see the Courtyard brand re-enter the UK market. I'm particularly interested in seeing the new Courtyard format. You're always talking about the lobby - but if the rooms of the new format are like the Courtyard in Bristol, VA then I certainly like them. My wife and I stayed in London for the very first time during December of 2007. Your staff at the Marriott County Hall made sure that we had a wonderful stay. On our most recent trip to the UK, just a few weeks ago, we were unable to stay right in London due to being busy in another part of the city, but we had a very nice last night at your Heathrow Airport Marriott. It was a good way to end the trip, staying at a comfortable hotel where the staff was helpful.
I'll be looking forward to trying out that Residence Inn that you're putting up in Munich, although I expect my wife and I will be in Munich again before it opens. We were quite happy with the breakfast at the Courtyard by Marriott in Munich, it is hard to beat. They put on a nice spread.
Since the last trip to the UK was so busy, we'll be looking forward to patronizing your London properties once again. When we look at where to stay, we get the map to show us where all the Marriotts are!
Have a safe and nice trip. The British are excellant hosts.
Posted by: Bill | 04/24/2009 at 05:50 PM
Hi Bill, I too have stayed at the Park Lane Marriott. Great hotel and a great staff! The building can only do so much, it is the employees that make the stay worth while. Thanks for hiring the best!
Posted by: Ray Utenis | 04/23/2009 at 06:35 AM
Hello Mr. Marriott,
I want to tell you about a special group of people. They are employed at your Courtyard Marriot in San Antonio, Texas. Last year, I spent 7 months at that facility. They are the kindest, most considerate group of people that I have ever met. So often, you get complaints about your people, I am sure, but this group is exceptional.
When I was lost on the roads of San Antonio, Charles, Cindy and Suzanna helped me find my way back to the hotel. When I needed assistance with my bags on arrival, Juan and Marco were there. When I wanted to put up a clothes line in the room without damaging the walls, Mohammed put one up for me. The front desk staff kept me laughing, especially when I was homesick. Pam always had a play on words that kept me in stitches. Yvette brought me a home cooked Thanksgiving plate when I was ill and couldn't go out.
I usually do not include names because I do not want to leave anyone out. The entire staff made me feel welcome and took care of all of my needs. Doug, the general manager of the hotel, was very nice and cashed my personal checks when I needed extra money while there. The restaurant staff were terrific. Andy, Perlita, Susan, Jesse, they all referred me to places to eat and names of places to visit. They always got hot water for me so I could make my instant coffee.
The housekeeping staff welcomed me home each time I returned. Rosie made my room perfect and sparkling. Ruby was so funny, even putting a note under my door when she didn't see me, welcoming me back. Julia, always smiling, just made me feel so welcome.
Diana and Richard were terrific whenever I needed something in the room.
Pat was one of the weekend persons at the front desk. She always had a kind word and offered her assistance whenever I went to the desk. Claude has a sense of humor that just won't quit. Rose and Aurora always made sure I got to my car safely when I left at 4:30 or 5 am for work.
I spend a great deal of time at your hotels and always feel welcome. But this staff, without a doubt are the best.
Yvonne *** ****, one of your employees of the year, has educated me on the history of San Antonio. What a great asset she is to your sales team.
I hope I have not left anyone out. They are terrifc. When I was ill, they were there for me. When I pulled a muscle in my knee and couldn't get up the steps, Mohammed carried my things and got ice for me to put on my knee. I was so grateful.
I will miss this group when I leave. I'm not sure when that will be but it will be an emotional goodbye. Thank you so much.
Janet Burt
Posted by: Janet Burt | 04/23/2009 at 01:07 AM
Dear Mr. Marriott
I was fortunate to live in Richmond, Surrey, close to the RFU Stadium in Twickenham for many years and attended many games there, so I will be intrigued to find out the location of your Twickenham property. Ironically, now I live in Scottsdale, Arizona, not far from your new property at the Mayo Clinic! I recently attended an event at the JW Marriott Resort at Desert Ridge and was really impressed with the quality of your people there. I feel the same about those of your employees I meet at the Christmas Brunch each year at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn. May I congratulate you, and all your staff.
Posted by: Lionel Eras | 04/22/2009 at 04:53 PM
Dear Bill,
I have a son with special needs. He's very excited about your NICK HOTEL in San Diego. How's the project going and do you have a more definite Grand Opening date than 2010?
Thank You, Jeff Temple
Posted by: Jeff Temple | 04/22/2009 at 03:49 PM
You are my Ideal Person around the world and in my dreams. I'm really admire you. You know, I have a big dreams to work one of your hotel around the world. I want to be your staff because I got the Diploma of Reception Operation from City and Guilds (UK). But I don't know how to apply to your job because I have just only degree and diploma certificate. If you can give me a chance, I want to try and use my experiences and energy for your hotel service.
With best regards and big hopes,
Mrs. Ohnmar Seinwin
Burma (Myanmar)
Posted by: Mrs. Ohnmar Seinwin | 04/22/2009 at 03:45 PM
Bill, speaking of rugby, when are you going to open a property - any property- in South Africa? We have a wedding coming next year in which our warrior son will marry a beautiful South African young lady. But alas, no Marriott. What will I do?!
Posted by: Don Workman | 04/22/2009 at 11:48 AM
Dear Mr. Marriott,
It's nice to hear some positive news in the midst of the crazy crisis that has been capturing the economies of the States and the world for a while. Congratulations on your new achievements.
Posted by: Feras Werr | 04/22/2009 at 10:29 AM