Paris Marriott Opera Ambassador Hotel welcomes guests

Marriott International has announced the 298-room Paris Marriott Opera Ambassador Hotel will join its portfolio of more than 3,800 properties worldwide on July 1st 2013 under a franchise agreement with WB AMBASSADOR.

Located in the heart of the city, the historic property will become the most recent addition to Marriott International’s signature global brand, Marriott Hotels, and represents the company’s 12th property in Paris.

“We are delighted to grow our footprint in Paris with this timeless property,” said Amy McPherson, president and managing director of Marriott International, Europe.

“There has never been a more exciting time to introduce our fourth Marriott property to the market with the many transformative changes happening within our signature brand. 

“Paris is one of the most dynamic and sought after cities in the world and we look forward to being ready to host the next generation of travellers.”

Located on the right bank of the River Seine in the 9th Arrondissement and Opera Quarter, the Paris Marriott Opera Ambassador Hotel is a few minutes’ walk from the city’s major attractions including the Opera House, Montmartre, Sacre Coeur, Le Louvre, Place Vendome, Jardins des Tuileries and Galleries Lafayette with world class shopping and boutiques. 

Also in close proximity to the business district, Paris Stock Exchange and numerous shops and restaurants, the hotel is the perfect base for business and leisure travellers.

Originally built in 1927, the hotel was the vision of the influential architect Baron Haussmann who was commissioned to reshape Paris’ streets and architecture. 

The property has an illustrious past as host to royalty, politicians and visiting heads of state along with important historical figures such as Charles Lindbergh and Gustave Eiffel.

The hotel famously hosted Charles Lindbergh’s celebrations as he historically completed the first solo flight across the Atlantic and named the hotel bar in his honour. 

Paris Marriott Opera Ambassador Hotel 2The Paris Marriott Opera Ambassador Hotel’s 298 guestrooms are stylish and thoughtfully designed with clean lines and a soothing colour palette.

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Marriott re-brands flagship brand as worldwide campaign launches

Reflecting the transformative change happening at its properties, the iconic Marriott Hotels, the signature brand of Marriott International has launched a new multi-year global marketing campaign.

Called ‘Travel Brilliantly’, the campaign reflects the lifestyle of the next generation of travellers, who seamlessly blend work and play in a mobile and global world.

The campaign includes TV, digital and mobile advertising, a new brand look and logo, and enhanced social media platforms.

In addition, Marriott is launching a new website – Travel Brilliantly - revealing innovations under development, as well as a co-creation platform to solicit user-generated ideas.

At its core, the campaign disrupts the traditional industry idea that a hotel is bound by its four walls.

Rather, the campaign shifts the focus, celebrating how the global travel experience opens minds and is inspirational.

As the advertising proclaims: “This is not a hotel. It’s an idea that travel should be brilliant… It’s not only about where you’re staying. It’s about where you’re going.”

From culinary to design to technology, the new campaign draws on the personal passion points and values of the next generation guest, to create a visual that is emblematic of the new Marriott experience.

“The iconic Marriott Hotels brand is transforming itself and reasserting its position as an innovation leader,” said Mara Hannula, vice president of global marketing, Marriott Hotels.

“Therefore, the campaign had to be bold in not only staking our claim, but also engaging the next generation of travellers to join us in co-creating the future of travel.”

To signal change, Marriott created a new brand logo, keeping its iconic ‘M’, while modernising its overall appeal.

Grey NY, one of the world’s leading advertising and communications agencies developed the integrated campaign and the new brand voice. 

The new website will be a platform for portraying Marriott’s past and future innovations and soliciting similar, future-forward ideas from influencers, experts and travelling consumer enthusiasts.

Visitors to the website are invited to share their groundbreaking ideas to improve the modern travel experience across design, culinary, wellness and technology.

Marriott’s new campaign will run online in prominent news and lifestyle outlets, such as Fast Company, Mashable and Wired, and in key mobile placements beginning in June.

Television spots featuring ads from the campaign will begin in September.

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JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts introduces JWM Wine Club

JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts is pleased to introduce the new JWM Wine Club, designed exclusively for JW Marriott guests to complement their passion for wine and the in-home wine-tasting experience. Created in collaboration with Treasury Wine Estates, the JWM Wine Club provides members with carefully curated wine experiences, highlighting fine wines from some of California’s most awarded luxury estates.

The JWM Wine Club will introduce wine enthusiasts to the reserves and iconic labels of California’s most heralded wine estates with a sampling of four wines in a single-serving format shipped quarterly to a preferred address. Members will then select their two favorites and receive a 750ml bottle of each to enjoy. Additionally, wine tasting notes from a JW Marriott wine ambassador and recipes to pair with your wines from a hotel executive chef will be included with each shipment, providing members with the tools to learn about the life of the vine, duties of a winemaker and how to properly choose, taste and enjoy the best wine for any occasion. The cost to participate is $150 per shipment.

“We are thrilled to officially introduce our new JWM Wine Club, a program which was designed to further enhance our connection with our guests by providing luxuries that speak to their personal interest,” said Mitzi Gaskins, vice president & global brand manager for JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts. “The collaboration with Treasury Wine Estates offers an innovative way for guests to access and experience fine wine, providing them with a JW Marriott experience to savor at home at their leisure.”

“The JWM Wine Club is an extension of a very important strategic partnership between Treasury Wine Estates and JW Marriott,” said Nicole Carter, vice president, public relations for Treasury Wine Estates. “We are always looking for dynamic ways to talk to new consumers.  I believe the JWM Wine Club brings a new level of innovation into our hospitality business and allows us to bring a taste of California to consumers at home.”

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Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach acquired for $75.3 Million

RLJ Lodging Trust today announced that it acquired the long-term leasehold interest in the 399-room Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach (the “Hotel”) for a purchase price of $75.3 million, or approximately $189,000 per key. The purchase price represents a forward capitalization rate of approximately 7.8% based on the Hotel’s projected 2014 net operating income. The Company purchased this asset with cash available on its balance sheet.

“We are excited to increase our presence in the west and expand our geographic footprint into another gateway market,” commented Thomas J. Baltimore, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer. “The Hotel’s strong brand affiliation and prime location in Waikiki will allow us to capitalize on the strong lodging fundamentals in Oahu.”

The Hotel is located in Honolulu, on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Honolulu serves as a major gateway for travelers from the Pacific Rim and is ranked as the fourth highest port of entry for international travelers to the U.S., behind only New York City, Miami, and Los Angeles. In 2012, visitor arrivals and spending exceeded historical 2006 and 2007 peak levels. According to the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, in 2012 visitor arrivals increased 9.6% and visitor spending increased 18.5% over prior year. Strong demand from Asia and the South Pacific region are projected to drive further growth for the market.

As one of the leading hotel markets in the U.S. and a major tourist destination, the Oahu market recorded revenue per available room (“RevPAR”) growth of 16.7% in 2012, which was the highest among the top 25 U.S. lodging markets according to Smith Travel Research. Year-to-date through April 2013, the strong growth continued as RevPAR increased 17.9% over the same time period in 2012. The Hotel’s RevPAR, which represents more than a 40% premium to the Company’s 2012 pro forma RevPAR, will be among the Company’s Top 10 hotels and further enhance the composition of the portfolio.

The Hotel’s prime location in the world famous neighborhood of Waikiki is in close proximity to the most visited tourist attractions in the area and various cultural and entertainment options. The Company expects that the Hotel will benefit from the positive momentum in the leisure and hospitality sectors as well as from demand generated by all four branches of the U.S. military, which have a significant presence on the island.

The Waikiki submarket is currently underrepresented by Marriott branded hotels. The Company expects that the Hotel’s affiliation with Marriott’s strong reservation system and guest loyalty program, as well as its proximity to the most visited attractions in the area, will benefit the asset and position it for strong growth. With limited supply and robust demand, the Company expects that this Hotel has significant upside and is well positioned to outperform.

With the addition of this asset, the Company now owns 149 properties, comprised of 148 hotels with more than 22,300 rooms and one planned hotel conversion, located in 22 states and the District of Columbia.

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$279: 4-star New York Marriott East Side + Rate includes breakfast, Book Anytime

From the reception staff to the dining room waiter, all were friendly, helpful and well trained. The room was comfortable, quiet and very clean. I would recommend this hotel for its central location in NYC.

Amenities:4Room cleanliness:4Hotel staff:5Room comfort:5Location:5Value:5

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