Marriott has launched a pre-payment system for their hotels in the Middle East. It’s being called the Marriott Prepaid card and allows travelers to utlize the card to settle room bills and other charges incurred at the hotel. Apparently this is a benefit to certain companies because it allows them to more tightly control hotel related expenses.
Marriott pilots pre-paid system
Courtyard New York Manhattan/Times Square South
Identifying Information
Marriott Brand: Marriott Hotels
Location: New York City, NY
Property Web Page: Courtyard New York Manhattan/Times Square South
Critique of the Property
Common Areas: Long walkway to the entry doors has a waterfall and a very nice, modern feel. Small, but nicely appointed lobby with concierge desk and coffee machine.
Guest Rooms: Stayed in a one bedroom suite with two double beds and a sleeper sofa. The room appointements were very standard for Courtyard’s. The carpet was a bit worn in spots. The sink and mirror were in the bedroom, separate from the toilet and shower. The room had a view of the Empire State Building.
Other Amenities: There’s a standard Courtyard Cafe on the lobby floor and a fitness center in the basement.
Things To Watch Out For: You’ll need your room key for building access after 11PM. Rooms on lower floors prbably don’t have much of a view. Parking (as it is everywhere in Manhattan) will be expensive.
Staff: Prompt and courteous front desk staff.
What’s Nearby?
The hotel is located just south of Times Square with lots of restaurants, theatres and souvenir shops just a few blocks north of the hotel. Bryant Park, with free WiFi, a large lawn, several food kiosks and a restaurant is half a block to the east. The New York Public Library is a block and a half to the east. There’s a Duane Reed drugstore on the corner for picking up last minute necessities.
Restaurants: Courtyard Cafe (on site) is open for breakfast, Bryant Park Grille, Lots of fast food and sit down choices very close by.
Other Marriotts: Marriott Marquis, Renaissance Hotel Times Square
Other Hotels: Numerous other hotels in the Times Square area.
Tags: Marriott
Marriott Opens Hartford’s First New Full Service Hotel in Over 20 Years
Hartford, Connecticut is lucky to get a brand spanking new Marriott Hotel. The Marriott Hartford Downtown features a rooftop spa that provides such luxurious services as massages, facials, body wraps and body scrubs. JW Marriott himself was on hand this morning for the official opening of the new property.
Tags: Marriott
Miri Marriott Resort & Spa Opens In Malaysia
Marriott has converted a RIGHA Royal resort in Miri Malaysia to the 220 room Miri Marriott Resort and Spa.
Red Cross, Marriott to help displaced families
Marriott is teamin up with the American Red Cross of Central Texas to place victims of disaster in Residence Inn hotels around the Austin area.
I stayed at the Residence Inn in Round Rock (about 15 mi. north of Austin) for about three months in 1999.
Marriott’s Ambitious Outreach
Marriott has been actively taking steps to assist minorities in owning Marriott branded hotels around the U.S.
Ten Percent Off on Reward Best Sellers
Got my Marriott Rewards statement in the mail with the usual assorted offers that and information come in the envelope with the statement. I like the sound of the newly renovated Newport Beach Marriott overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Or how about the soon to be completed Cleveland Downtown Marriott at Key Center? Once the renovation is complete the hotel will feature flat screen TVs among other upgraded amenities. I just wish I had the time to check out some of these properties. Given my business schedule I’m now hoping for a client visit in either Newport Beach or Cleveland.
There are also some 10% off deals on Marriott Rewards Merchandise. This is one of the more intruiging points of the rewards program. I’m always considering trading in my points for some nice merchandise but I always hold out thinking that I’ll take an amazing trip on points some time in the near future. Two items that catch my eye are the Sharp 56″ projection TV for 270,000 points and the Sony DVD Camcorder for 105,300 points. There are some other nice items as well that are 10% off their usual point levels.
Renaissance Hotel In Thailand
I’ve stayed at a couple of Renaissance Hotels in recent months, in NYC and Pittsburgh and I’ve enjoyed the upscale environment. Now it looks like Renaissance will be coming to Thailand by the end of this year as a result of yet another hotel conversion project.
Hyatt Regency Buffalo To Become A Marriott
The owner of a Hyatt Regency in Buffalo, NY hopes to have the hotel converted to a “high tech” Marriott by this fall.
Marriott Waikiki Signs With BaggageDirect
Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa is now offering a unique service that promises to save customers time at the airport when departing the island. They’ve signed an agreement with a company called Baggage Direct. Baggage Direct will pick up a customer’s bags at the hotel and handle the check in process for the bags, allowing the customer a more leisurely departure process at the airport.
I’m all for any service that makes the travel process smoother, especially when the service is provided at a high traffic destination like Hawaii.