I love cars, especially fast cars. On my recent trip to Spain to launch our new AC Hotels by Marriott brand, my host and new business partner Antonio Catalan took me out to the Spanish race track in Madrid. Even though I speak little Spanish and Antonio doesn’t speak very much English, we both have a tremendous passion for great hotels and also race cars.
Take a look at the great picture below. Can you identify the car I’m driving?
What a ride. I reached speeds that must have been close to the sound barrier – or so it seemed. As a token of our new partnership, I was presented my own racing helmet.
Earlier, we had toured two of Antonio’s historic hotels in Madrid. They are now part of our Autograph Collection. AC Santo Mauro is the former palace of a Spanish Duke. AC Palacio Del Retiro is protected by Spanish National Heritage. Each hotel has about 50 rooms and a lot of great old-world charm.
I’m not sure which part of my day was more fun. Touring our two new “historic” Autograph Collection hotels or putting the pedal to the metal at the Spanish race track.
The photo showing my “two-thumbs up” says it all. It’s symbolic of both our companies coming together to form a winning team in racing and hotels. There’ll be a lot of checkered flags in our future.
I’m Bill Marriott and thanks for helping me keep Marriott on the Move.
Download Answer (Don't peek until after you've guessed.)
Ferrari 330 GTC
Posted by: John Gerhard, Jr. | 10/10/2013 at 03:53 PM
Hi Mr. Marriot,
I am Joseph, working as a contractual Technical Helpdesk Analyst Outsource employee here in Cebu, Philippines, i have read "the Marriot's way" book, and was inspired by the success story of how your family touched and help the lives of others, and now im planning to grab a copy of your book, to get more inspiration from you and how you continue to touch the lives of others, anyway to align myself to the topic, my guess would be 1960 Ferrari 250GT, based on my research.
you have a great day boss, and hope you can visit the Philippines soon.
-joseph
Posted by: Joseph Cainglet | 06/04/2013 at 04:36 PM
Dear Mr. Marriott
We stayed at Hotel Marriott, Paris for two occasions during the past year, two weeks in July 2012 and nearly a month during January 2013.
I would like to give a very positive feedback about your staff. You should be really proud of Marriott Hotel in Paris, specially your staff in the Business Centre who helped me with many different tasks during my stay. They helped me to book appointments, translate my letters to French and helped me out with lots of administration tasks. I do not speak French but had to sort out a lot and without the help of your people in The Business Centre; I wouldn't have been able to do my work in Paris.
You have a brilliant team at concierge. They stand there all day long, portray a positive image and create a happy environment. They really went out of their way to help us and cater for all our needs.
My Special thanks go to your night manager Mr. Yves Jam who took care of us on both occasions. I can’t put my appreciation in words about him. He has everything a manager should have plus an extra factor of offering more than % 100 of himself. Although he was quiet busy, he always went the extra mile to make us comfortable. I had to leave my mum in Paris couple of times, so she stayed on her own and he took care of her needs brilliantly. During one night in which I lost my mobile, Mr. Yves put almost an hour of his busy time helping me to search for my mobile.
My mother and I would like to thank your staff at Marriott Hotel for making our stay so enjoyable and productive.
The stars of Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel
Management: Mr. Jam Yves
Concierge: Alexandra Galran, Harold Exbragat, Benoit Neveux
Business Centre: Pascaline Dogue’, Jennifer Ponticaccia, Helen Bitsch Ays, Vennesa
Jeannett Collins (Business centre manager)
Yours Sincerely
Parisa Peyrovian, UK
Posted by: Parisa Peyrovian | 04/24/2013 at 06:00 AM
That looks like my dad's old 330GTC2+2.
Posted by: Robert H | 03/14/2013 at 10:45 AM
Mr. Marriott, I think its a Ferrari but concerning european sports cars of that era they all look alike to me. Been reading your blog ever since I started working here at St. Thomas(born here), and I have to say your really a down to earth kind of guy.You really work hard and never forget your family.You also play hard (which I admire) and shows me your not afraid to stop and smell the roses.Im very happy that you take time out of your busy schedule to write and inspire us all.
Posted by: Matthew A. Johnson | 02/22/2013 at 11:56 AM
My husband was close on identifying the car!! I said it was a Jaquar...... then again, I am WOMAN...... Great Car!!
Posted by: Mlake | 01/06/2013 at 03:20 AM
GO MARRIOTT!!! GREAT COMPANY and great history!!!!!!
Posted by: Mlake | 01/06/2013 at 03:18 AM
It's very fantastic Car, i hope to own one like it
Posted by: Essam Emara | 09/07/2012 at 10:25 AM
I don't think I can identify that car, but it sure looks cool (and fast). The AC Palacio Del Retiro looks even cooler though. We're definitely going to have to stay there during our trip in 2013.
Posted by: Karen Martin | 08/08/2012 at 01:02 PM
Hi Bill,
As a fan of cars and a particpant in motorsport myself, I have to say that flicking through your website this made me smile!
As an aside, until last year I had never stayed in a Marriot hotel, but in the previous few months I have spent a good deal of time in your Cairo hotel (J.W. Marriot). Just a quick note to say that the hotel runs very well indeed - which is impressive especially when you've stayed in other hotels in Egypt! I think I found my favourite restaurant in the world in your J.W Steakhouse, featuring just about the best pepper sauce I've tried.
So keep up the good work sir, I look forward to trying out more of your hotels in the future..
Nick
Posted by: Nick Simpson | 04/13/2012 at 05:34 AM
Looking forward to stay at Marriot AC in Barcelona in mid-Feb - have stayed in many around the world, but not this one. I'll let you know it works out
Posted by: pat donnelly | 01/02/2012 at 07:14 PM
Mr. Marriott
Thank you for having Michelle call me concerning my mother's accident. Since I work for NASA, I will be sending you a picture/patch of STS-135 as a token for taking the time to respond to my e-mail that I posted in this blog.Thank you sir.
Posted by: Maria Telles | 07/14/2011 at 03:13 PM
Mr. Marriott,
Recently I stayed at your J.W. Marriott hotel in DC. After three years of hassle with this hotel everytime I checked in I had decided not to ever stay there again. It was bad! Even wrote the Board of Directors and never heard anything. I was even able to convenience a number of other travelers to stay elsewhere when they went to DC. Anyway, this year I did consent to stay there just one more time and was pleasantly surprised! Darnell Rollins was at the front desk and really tried to please. Quinn Anderson pitched in to help out and worked hard on trying to straighten out the mess. She did work things out and even did a follow-up to be sure everything was to my liking. She "walked the extra mile". I truly appreciate all that she did and because of her will consider staying there again.
The Bellmen have always been helpful to me and they even remember the names (if known) of guest that have previously stayed there. Nice touch!
Just wanted you to know that you now have at least two STARS Darnell and Quinn at the J.W. Please thank them for me and pass along this Kudo. --Job well done!--
Margaret
Posted by: Margaret Terrell | 07/13/2011 at 01:32 PM
While you're having a great time with cars, I'm stuck on your reservation line, getting the run around and crappy service...seriously. I have never had to shout at a customer service rep until now....and ask 4 times to speak to a manager...and I'm STILL waiting.
Ridiculous.
Posted by: Jo Halstead | 07/04/2011 at 02:23 PM
Mr. Marriott,
My son and I are looking at you car. I think it is an Alfa Romeo Spider, he thinks it is a 1960's Ferrari.
Mike and Tyler Lodwick
Nashville Airport Marriott
Posted by: Mike Lodwick | 07/03/2011 at 06:53 PM
Beautiful Car! Is it a Citroën CX?
Posted by: Isabel Francis | 07/01/2011 at 02:49 PM
Its looks like a rocket. Turbocharged. Great machine.
Posted by: Cheap Hotel London | 07/01/2011 at 11:18 AM
I've heard you have a few Ferraris yourself, so I assume that's what it would take to impress you. Can you post a pic or two of your own cars? That would be great!
Posted by: Heather | 06/30/2011 at 04:39 PM
It's a 330 GTC, something I always dreamed of owning.
Posted by: David Hogan | 06/30/2011 at 03:54 PM
HERE'S THE CAR ANSWER:
1967 Ferrari 330 GTC
We have a lot of car enthusiasts who got the right answer. Thanks for helping keep Marriott on the move. Bill Marriott
Posted by: BILL MARRIOTT | 06/30/2011 at 03:41 PM
I am very sorry, but my opinion is that car is This is Ferrari 365 GTC.
Posted by: Bozhidar Petrov | 06/30/2011 at 01:40 PM
This is Ferrari 365 GTC
Posted by: Bozhidar Petrov | 06/30/2011 at 01:39 PM
Hi Bill,
This is Ferrari 365 GTC ("Grand Tourismo Coupe").
Between the 1968 and 1970 about 150 cars were built, including RHD examples.
Cheers!
Posted by: Bozhidar Petrov | 06/30/2011 at 07:39 AM
Hi Bill,
This is Ferrari 365 GTC ("Grand Tourismo Coupe").
Between the 1968 and 1970 about 150 cars were built, including RHD examples.
With the integrating the gear box with the final drive Ferrari 365 GTC gained 50:50 balanced weight distribution.
This masterpiece has V12, 4390cc engine, 3 Weber twin choke 40 DFI carbs, 5 speed manual synchronized transmission, independent rear suspension, employing coil springs and wishbones, servo-assisted disk brakes all-round with a split circuit system.
I would like to have one.
Cheers.
Posted by: Bozhidar Petrov | 06/30/2011 at 07:39 AM
Hi Bill and to those people here. Just wanted to say hi to all of you and well, It's a nice Vintage Car. Is that a Ferrari?
Posted by: Motoring Search | 06/30/2011 at 05:44 AM