Red Room Chronicles

Steiner Leisure Limited, operator of luxury brand Mandra Spa, has announced that they have entered into a contract to build and operate a spa at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort on the big island of Hawaii.

According to the announcement, “The two story spa facility will include treatment rooms and couples suites accented with Balinese inspired art and textiles. Additional features of the spa include men’s and women’s changing lounges, steam rooms, a relaxation lounge, a fitness center, a retail boutique, a sophisticated nail salon and a “hair spa” offering a complete array of beauty services in a single setting. ”

Sounds nice! The spa is expected to open in November of 2005.

Press Release

LodgeNet, the folks who provide TV programming, games and on demand video to Marriott hotels has extended it’s agreement for servicing The Ritz Carlton brand of hotels. In addition to the extension, LodgeNet will be offering Ritz Carlton a new HDTV platform for satellite programming and video on demand entertainment.

I’m not sure how many people realize that Ritz Carlton is wholly owned by Marriott International. They do a very good job of keeping the brands separate. I think that approached has worked well since Ritz Carlton’s ultra premium image and service deserve to be set apart.

Press Release

There’s no doubt that people really love their pets (especially their dogs) and love to travel with them. Betsy Higgison, Marriott’s resident pet expert is offering tips on how to travel with pets at Marriott’s Residence Inn and TownePlace Suites brands.

Press Release

If you get in to the upper regions of points in the Marriott Rewards program there are some very nice rewards that you can take advantage of. To date I’ve only taken advantage of a few free night stays. Those are nice, but I feel like you get more bang for your reward miles with some of these rewards that I covet.

Travel
* 7 nights split between any three Hawaiian properties - 130,000 points
* 7 nights split between any three UK/Ireland properties - 150,000 points
* 10 day Caribbean cruise for two on Holland America cruise line - 265,000 points

Sports & Leisure
* Four day adult park hopper pass at Disney World in Orlando - 55,000 points

Merchandise
* Nikon D70 Digital SLR camera w/lens - 165,000 points
* Philips 23 inch flat screen television - 145,000 points

The shopping rewards are via Sky Mall. There are many more products available for purchase with rewards points. Many people don’t know about this because Marriott doesn’t prominently display information about merchandise rewards on their site, preferring to highlight the gift certificates instead. Check out the merchandise rewards by going to http://www.skymall.com/marriottrewards/.

Host Marriott owns a large number of Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels and resorts in North America.

Press Release

Marriott has added a number of online retailers to their point earning partners as detailed in the press release linked below.

Press Release

Courtyard Westborough - Garbage

Originally uploaded by rjs2005.

Is it me or are these garbage cans in Marriott Hotels way too small? All I had to do was order some takeout to overmatch this tiny pail.

According to the article linked below, Marrriott Hotels is making major changes in how new hotels are designed.

“Marriott has made major changes in brand standards and all (new) full-service hotels must comply,” said City Manager Mark Peterson. “This hotel will, by design, comply. It’s an attempt to make (the hotels) more attractive to younger customers … less oriented to Baby Boomers and more to Gen X.”

Pantagraph.com - News - Normal reviews hotel design 07/19/05

A pair of new Marriott Hotels, one Courtyard and one TownPlace Suites, are scheduled to be constructed in the Virginia Beach area. Opening is scheduled for summer 2006.

Suffolk News Herald Online

Marriott Rewards elite members can get a second dinner entree for free at Marriott, JW Marriott and Renaissance Hotels from now thru September 15, 2005. According to the Marriott Rewards website:
“Through September 15, 2005, when you order one dinner entrée from the hotel restaurant or room service menus, the second entrée of equal or lesser value is free.”

In order to redeem the offer, guests musts print the page and present (or mention for room service) at the time of order.

Marriott Offer
Renaissance Offer