Let It Reign! Marriott Creates Baby Showers Fit For A Duchess

Marriott Hotels & Resorts and Mamas & Papas celebrate the Royal Baby with exclusive Baby Shower Suite

LONDON – To celebrate the birth of the future Prince or Princess, Marriott Hotels & Resorts has teamed up with Mamas & Papas to create an unforgettable Baby Shower experience.  The Royal Baby Shower Suite, which is available to book from today at London Marriott Hotel County Hall, can host up to twenty people per shower and offers an exquisite afternoon tea, butler service and the chance for expectant Mums to win a gorgeous Mamas & Papas nursery.

The Royal Baby Shower Suite has been created in the hotel’s stunning Westminster Suite, one of the most regal rooms in the hotel with unrivalled views of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, and is decked out in the latest Mamas & Papas furnishings and adorable baby accessories.

The Royal Baby Shower Suite package consists of:
• A glass of champagne on arrival for those that want it
• A luxury afternoon tea for the whole party
• A private butler for the duration of the shower
• Mamas & Papas goody bag for every mother-to-be

Theresa Maw, General Manager of London Marriott County Hall says: “As the nation excitedly gears up to the birth of the Royal Baby we wanted to mark the occasion here at County Hall. We have created a beautiful venue for a brilliantly hosted baby shower where mum, family and friends can sit back and relax and enjoy the stunning London views. The space acts as the perfect venue to celebrate the forthcoming arrival of your very own Prince or Princess!”

As an added bonus, Marriott Hotels & Resorts is launching a competition to give expectant Mums the chance to win a Mamas & Papas nursery.  All they have to do is guess the gender and birthdate of the Royal Baby and tweet their answer to @MarriottUK using the hashtag #Marriottroyalbaby.  The competition will run from today throughout the month of June and all correct guesses will be entered into a prize draw to win the contents of the Royal Baby Shower Suite, including Moses basket, changing table, baskets and rocking horse. 

The Royal Baby Shower Suite is bookable for a minimum of ten and maximum of twenty guests at a price of £60 per person. Marriott is delighted to host the mother-to-be complimentary. The package is available from today until the 28th July 2013 subject to availability. To book, telephone the London Marriott County Hall on +44 207 902 5556.

Competition Terms & Conditions
• The competition is open to residents of the United Kingdom, aged 18 years or over
• Only one answer may be submitted, and will be accepted, per person
• The prize includes a Mamas & Papas Moses basket (in a choice of pink or blue), a rocking horse, a changing table and two small baskets on wheels, as pictured
• No purchase is required to enter the competition
• There is no cash alternative
• The competition closes at 11pm on 30 June, 2013
• The competition winner will be selected at random from all correct entries
• Marriott Hotels & Resorts’ decision is final and no correspondence on the matter will be entered in to
• By entering this competition, participants agree to these terms and conditions
 
Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

Connect with helen.taylor@marriott.com  

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Autograph Collection Welcomes Majestic Icon St. Ermin’s Hotel, London

Exclusive Portfolio of Passionately Independent Hotels Announces Third Hotel in United Kingdom.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – The Autograph Collection (www.autographhotels.com), Marriott International’s (NYSE: MAR) exclusive portfolio of upscale, independent hotels, announced today the debut of the St. Ermin’s Hotel in the Westminster area of London, representing the third Autograph Collection hotel in the United Kingdom. Earlier this month, Autograph Collection announced its entree into the U.K. with the inauguration of Threadneedles in the heart of London’s financial district and The Glasshouse in central Edinburgh, Scotland. The 331-room iconic St. Ermin’s Hotel will expand the collection of independent lifestyle hotels to include more than 40 exceptional travel experiences in the United States, Europe, Caribbean, and South America.

The vision behind the Autograph Collection is to offer an evolving group of passionately independent hotels that fall under distinct categories of travel experience including Culinary Delight, Artistic Getaway, Historic Exploration, or Sporting Adventure. Each hotel is thoughtfully chosen for its quality, originality, bold character and capacity to offer guests a range of unique and unexpected experiences suited to their individual sense of style and adventure. This unique global portfolio has proven to be a highly successful venture due to its discerning process to select only the most exceptional hotels and enriching travel experiences.

“This is an incredibly exciting time for the Autograph Collection, and a significant event for us in a prime, central London location,” said Amy McPherson, president and managing director for Marriott International in Europe. “Our three Autograph Collection hotels in the United Kingdom offer travelers an enviable range of artistic, culinary and cultural adventures and this historic hotel is a hugely powerful addition."

St. Ermin’s Hotel, London
St. Ermin’s, converted from a Victorian apartment block to a hotel in 1899, is located within a short walk of Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St. James’s Park and numerous other central London landmarks and attractions.  The hotel, which is Grade II listed and boasts numerous original Victorian characteristics, enjoys an illustrious history.  It  served as the headquarters of the British Secret Service during World War II, and given its proximity to the Houses of Parliament, has been a popular political meeting venue for many years. Retaining its classic architecture, evocative Art Nouveau styling and Rococco plasterwork, the St Ermin’s has been given a distinctive, modern and highly textural look and feel, offering guests a contemporary version of ‘The Grand Tour’ that infused the English great house style.  Hand-picked antiques and collectables sit together with modern pieces to provide a warm, sophisticated London welcome.  The hotel was fully refurbished between 2010 and 2012.

To celebrate the inauguration of St. Ermin’s into the Autograph Collection, the hotel is offering an exclusive package for a limited time. Beginning 15th May and running through 7th August 2013, St. Ermin’s will offer a twenty percent discount off published rates for a three night weekend stay (Thursday through Sunday) including breakfast, 2,000 Marriott Rewards Bonus Points, a £40 food and drink credit and room taxes. To book this exclusive package, please use reservation code MLL.

You can learn more about these new Autograph Collection travel experiences and find out exactly what your own personal signature says about you by visiting the new “What Does Your Autograph Say About You?” app on the Autograph Collection Facebook page, www.facebook.com/autographcollection.

All Autograph Collection hotels participate in Marriott Rewards, Marriott International’s award-winning guest loyalty program, where guests can earn points at more than 3,200 hotels in 68 countries. In addition to their placement on Marriott.com, each property is showcased in its own unique way on the Collection’s award winning standalone site, www.autographhotels.com.

Autograph Collection hotels can be found in an increasing number of key travel destinations around the world including The Algonquin and The Carlton hotels in New York, The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, the Boscolo Budapest Hotel, the newly opened The Stones Hotel - Legian in Indonesia, The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa in Colorado, and the AC Baqueira Ski Resort in Spain.

About Autograph Collection
The Autograph Collection is an evolving ensemble of strikingly independent hotels. Each destination has been selected for its quality, bold originality, rich character and uncommon details. From near to far, iconic to historic, the result is an array of properties that is nothing less than unique, nothing short of collectively exceptional. For more information please visit www.autographhotels.com

About Marriott International
Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

Connect with catherine.leitner@marriott.com

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Marriott Hotels Expands Global Portfolio with Flagship Brand’s First Property in Novosibirsk, Russia

175-Room Marriott Novosibirsk Hotel to Open in 2014.

London – Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) has signed a management agreement with CJSC Globus to open its first property in Novosibirsk, Russia, the 175-room Marriott Novosibirsk Hotel.  The Marriott Novosibirsk will be a new addition to the Marriott Hotels & Resorts flagship brand and is expected to open in 2014.  Joining Marriott executives and VIPs for the official signing ceremony was the Mayor of Novosibirsk, Mr. Vladimir Gorodetsky.

The announcement follows the recent signing of the Courtyard by Marriott Ulyanovsk and grows the current pipeline in Russia to nine new properties over the next 3 years.  Other upcoming openings include the 234-room Moscow Marriott Novy Arbat in 2014, and the Courtyard by Marriott Sochi Plaza Hotel and Krasnaya Polyana Marriott Hotel in Sochi, host city of the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

“Last October we announced plans to grow our portfolio in Russia and Commonwealth of Independent States by more than 50 percent by 2015 and signing the Marriott Novosibirsk Hotel is another important step in reaching that goal,” said Amy McPherson, president and managing director of Marriott International in Europe.  “We are excited about the growth in travel throughout the region and the expanding demand for our hotels and brands.”

Novosibirsk is the capital of the Siberian Federal District and Russia’s third largest city after Moscow and St Petersburg.  A vibrant hub of commerce and culture, the city is an important centre for governmental affairs and industry but also boasts an extraordinary host of cultural institutions.  Known as the cultural capital of Siberia, Novosibirsk’s State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet, Novosibirsk Philharmonic Hall and M.I. Glinka State Conservatory are internationally acclaimed.  Visitors to the city can also explore its many cultural heritage sites and architectural and historical monuments as well as museums and theatres.

The Marriott Novosibirsk will be positioned in a prime location on Lenin Square opposite the city’s iconic Opera House.  Featuring sophisticated guestrooms, a leisure club, indoor pool and 454 square feet of meeting space, the hotel is expected to be popular with both business and leisure travellers.  Additional hotel facilities include a casual dining restaurant, a Lobby Lounge & Bar, and business centre.

About Marriott Hotels & Resorts
Marriott Hotels & Resorts continues to inspire and provide a balanced life on the road for discerning and high-achieving business and leisure travelers, offering warm, professional service; sophisticated yet functional guest room design; lobby spaces that facilitate working, dining and socializing; restaurants and bars serving international cuisine prepared simply and from the freshest ingredients; meeting and event spaces and services that are gold standard; and expansive, 24-hour fitness facilities. All Marriott hotels participate in the award winning Marriott Rewards frequent travel program that allows members to earn hotel points or airline miles for every dollar spent during each stay. For more information, visit www.MarriottHotels.com
 
Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

Connect with helen.taylor@marriott.com

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Courtyard by Marriott Continues Eastern European Expansion with New Hotel in Russia

London – As Marriott International (NYSE:MAR) continues its expansion throughout Europe, the company has announced plans to open its first hotel in Ulyanovsk, Russia, the 135-room Courtyard by Marriott Ulyanovsk.  The official signing ceremony took place in the presence of the Governor of the Ulyanovsk region, Mr. Sergey Morozov.  The hotel, which will be built to the new Courtyard by Marriott brand European prototype, will operate under a management agreement with LLC New City and is expected to open in 2015.
 
“The signing of the Courtyard Ulyanovsk is an exciting development as we continue to grow our footprint in Russia and expand into new areas,” said Amy McPherson, president and managing director for Marriott International in Europe.   “We continue to see great opportunity for expansion throughout Eastern Europe, particularly with our Courtyard by Marriott brand, which is specifically designed to address the needs of business travellers.”

Ulyanovsk is famous as the birthplace of Vladimir Lenin and today serves as a hub of industry and commerce with aerospace, automobile and mechanical engineering being the mainstay industries.  The city is located approximately 890 kilometres south-east of Moscow on the banks of the Volga River, and very well connected by two airports just a short distance from the hotel. 

The Courtyard Ulyanovsk will be located in the commercial centre of the city and just a short drive from its historic heart.  Its prime location on the bank of the Sviyaga River offers a green and attractive setting.

Boasting the contemporary interior design and enhanced functionality of the new Courtyard by Marriott prototype designed to appeal to the European traveller, the hotel’s 135 guestrooms will feature clean lines and natural light.  Designed to promote productivity, the rooms will be equipped with ample work space, task lighting and multiple, accessible outlets making plugging in easy.

The hotel’s stylish and contemporary lobby will support the business traveller’s needs for dining, meeting and socialising with flexible seating, an interactive GoBoard™ screen featuring the latest news, weather and local information and a 24-hour market.  The hotel will also feature an all-day bistro restaurant with menu items adapted to local tastes and demand.  Additional hotel facilities include a large 2,130 square feet meeting room divisible by four, a business lounge and a fitness room.

The first Courtyard by Marriott hotel built to the new European prototype is the Courtyard Aberdeen Airport, Scotland, opening this summer.

Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. 

Connect with helen.taylor@marriott.com

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AC Hotels by Marriott Continues European Expansion with New Hotels in Nice & Barcelona

London - Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) has continued the expansion of its joint venture with AC Hotels with the opening of two new properties – the AC Hotel Nice on the French Riviera and the AC Hotel Sant Cugat in Catalonia, Barcelona.  The two new hotels will be welcome additions to the AC Hotels by Marriott brand, which launched in 2011 and now offers over 80 hotels across Europe.

After an extensive renovation, the AC Hotel Nice opened on 1 April 2013. The 143-room downtown hotel overlooks the Mediterranean Sea just steps from Promenade des Anglais.  Standout hotel features include a panoramic terrace with heated swimming pool and a relaxing hotel Zen garden.

In addition to 22 suites, the hotel has three conference and banqueting rooms, accommodating up to 100 guests.  The Acropolis Congress Centre is only a short distance away making it ideally appointed accommodation for business as well as leisure travellers.

The AC Hotel Nice is the second AC Hotel by Marriott hotel to open in France joining the AC Hotel Ambassadeur Antibes-Juan Les Pins, which opened last summer.  Another French property, AC Hotel Paris Porte Maillot, was announced in September 2012 and is set to open in early 2014.

The newly opened AC Hotel Sant Cugat is conveniently located in the business area of Sant Joan. The hotel has 152-rooms and several function rooms for meetings and events.  The hotel’s AC Lounge is an attractive, multi-purpose space open 24 hours where guests can relax with free wi-fi.

The affluent suburb of Sant Cugat del Valles is abundant with beauty and heritage and has convenient connections to central Barcelona.  Local attractions include the Benedictine monastery of Sant Cugat and the medieval castle Castell de Canals.

“We are delighted to be developing the presence of AC Hotels by Marriott in France and across Europe with these two exciting new openings in such current locations,” said Amy McPherson, president and managing director for Marriott International in Europe.  “Nice and Sant Cugat del Valles are popular destinations for both business and leisure travellers and fit perfectly with the brand’s associated modern comfort and urban style.”

The new hotels join over 80 existing AC Hotels by Marriott throughout France, Spain, Italy and Portugal.  AC Hotels by Marriott is part of Marriott Rewards, one of the world’s largest hospitality loyalty programmes with over 37 million members.

Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

Connect with helen.taylor@marriott.com

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Autograph Collection Raises the Royal Bar in United Kingdom

Exclusive Portfolio of Passionately Independent Hotels Introduces Two Extraordinary Travel Experiences in London and Edinburgh.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – The Autograph Collection, Marriott International’s (NYSE: MAR) exclusive portfolio of upscale, independent hotels continues to grow in Europe with the introduction of two new extraordinary travel experiences this spring.  Threadneedles, in the heart of London’s financial district, and The Glasshouse in central Edinburgh, Scotland, will represent the Autograph Collection’s first hotels in the United Kingdom. The additions are set to expand the exclusive portfolio of upscale, independent lifestyle hotels to include more than 40 exceptional hotel experiences in the United States, Europe, Caribbean, and South America.

The Autograph Collection currently offers a number of passionately independent hotel experiences throughout Europe, including the spectacular Fontecruz Lisboa Hotel in Portugal, Hotel De Bourgtheroulde in the historic city of Rouen and the Hotel L’Hermitage Gantois in Lille. Last month, the Autograph Collection revealed its entree into Germany with the opening later this year of the Hotel am Steinplatz, routinely recognized as one of Berlin’s most iconic gathering places.

The vision behind the Autograph Collection is to offer an evolving group of independent, upscale hotels that each fall under distinct categories of travel experience including Culinary Delight, Artistic Getaway, Historic Exploration or Sporting Adventure. Each independent hotel is thoughtfully chosen for its quality, originality, bold character and capacity to offer guests a range of unique and unexpected experiences suited to their individual sense of style and adventure.

“This is an exciting time for the Autograph Collection in Europe as we add experiences in two of the United Kingdom’s most important destinations,” said Amy McPherson, president and managing director for Marriott International in Europe. “Autograph Collection offers an enviable range of artistic, culinary and cultural adventures for our guests and these two iconic hotels will be valuable additions. “

You can learn more about these new Autograph Collection travel experiences and explore what your own personal signature says about you by visiting the new “What Does Your Autograph Say About You?” app on the Autograph Collection Facebook page, www.facebook.com/autographcollection.

Autograph Collection continues to provide travelers with a range of exciting travel experiences around the world, soon to include:

Threadneedles, London
The Square Mile’s original luxury boutique hotel, Threadneedles is located in the heart of The City of London, just minutes from The Bank of England, St Paul’s Cathedral, Borough Market, and The Royal Exchange. The former Victorian banking hall, a Grade II listed building and the former head office of City Bank, blends the traditional with the contemporary. The lobby is dominated by an elaborately hand painted stained-glass dome, which dates back to 1856, and the hotel’s fashionable restaurant and bar, Bonds, are set in the former main banking hall, retaining many original Victorian features.

The Glasshouse, Edinburgh
Situated at the foot of Calton Hill and built into the 150 year old façade of the Lady Glenorchy church, The Glasshouse is one of Edinburgh’s best known boutique hotels. The  Five Star hotel, which is located just a short walk from Princes Street and Edinburgh castle,  offers a unique roof-top garden – a two-acre area of elegantly landscaped gardens which may also be used as a covered event space.  Several of the guest rooms offer exceptional views over the Firth of Forth and Edinburgh New Town.  Most of the remaining guest rooms open onto (and provide access to) the hotel’s private roof-top garden.  The Glasshouse has won a number of awards since its opening in 2003, including being voted by Conde Nast Traveller magazine as one of the “Top 50 Hottest Hotels,” and winner of the “Most Stylish Hotel” by the Scottish Style Awards. In January 2013, it was awarded second place in the Sunday Times Travel Magazine’s survey of best UK city hotels.  The hotel is currently undergoing refurbishment and is due to join the Autograph Collection upon completion in June.

All Autograph Collection hotels participate in Marriott Rewards, Marriott International’s award-winning guest loyalty program, where guests can earn points at more than 3,200 hotels in 68 countries. In addition to their placement on Marriott.com, each property is showcased in its own unique way on the Collection’s award winning standalone site, www.autographhotels.com.

Autograph Collection hotels can be found in an increasing number of key travel destinations around the world including The Algonquin and The Carlton hotels in New York, The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, the Boscolo Budapest Hotel, the newly opened The Stones Hotel - Legian in Indonesia, The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa in Colorado, and the AC Baqueira Ski Resort in Spain.

About Autograph Collection
The Autograph Collection is an evolving ensemble of strikingly independent hotels. Each destination has been selected for its quality, bold originality, rich character and uncommon details. From near to far, iconic to historic, the result is an array of properties that is nothing less than unique, nothing short of collectively exceptional. For more information please visit www.autographhotels.com

About Marriott International
Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

Connect with catherine.leitner@marriott.com

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Marriott International Launches First-Of-Its-Kind Careers App

App Opens Doors to Marriott Careers in Europe with Real Stories and Opportunities.

London – Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) is taking its recruitment digital in Europe with a newly launched careers App that is the first of its kind in the hospitality industry.  Available in English, French, German and Russian, the new innovative App has been developed in tandem with Evviva Brands following extensive market research among young people – a target demographic for the new App.

“We are excited for Marriott to be leading the way with the development of this new App.  The youth unemployment figure is rising steadily in much of Europe, but there continues to be great opportunity within the hospitality industry and within Marriott, so it is important that we engage the next generation of job seekers through a variety of tools and mediums that are relevant and appealing to them,” said Bridgett Price, Chief Human Resources Officer for Marriott International in Europe.

The App engages users with personal and authentic career stories, which is a key learning incorporated in to the creation of the app taken from the extensive market and focus group research.  “Young people want to hear about real people, what they do, and how they got there – stories of successful careers with Marriott and how they were built,” said Cate Newsom, Head of Insight for Evviva. The App also presents Marriott’s many brands together as a family to increase awareness of the many diverse opportunities within the company.

Though the App is not designed to replace traditional face-to-face recruitment, it will enable Marriott to reach a technologically savvy and ever increasing mobile audience, thus enhancing and optimising the recruitment process.  Importantly it will also showcase the range of roles available within Marriott - from General Manager to Housekeeping Supervisor, and Front Office Supervisor to Sales Director - to excite users about the opportunities within the company as it continues to expand and open new hotels across Europe as part of its goal to double its portfolio in Europe from 40,000 rooms to 80,000 rooms by 2015.

Marriott is consistently recognised as a top employer, recently taking 7th place in the Sunday Times’ “25 Best Big Companies to Work For” list 2013 and named in FORTUNE magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list for the 16th year in a row.

The “Marriott Jobs in Europe” App is available NOW for download by iPad users, with the iPhone version coming soon.  Download the App for free today onto your iPad by clicking the App Store logo below.

 



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Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.  

Evviva Brands is an international team of employee engagement, brand and communications specialists - helping major companies build their reputations in order to attract and retain good people. Please visit www.evvivabrands.com for more information.

Connect with helen.taylor@marriott.com

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Suite Dreams at Grosvenor House, a JW Marriott Hotel

Iconic London Property Creates Nursery Fit For a Royal Baby.

London, England – Grosvenor House, A JW Marriott Hotel and bespoke nursery designers Dragons of Walton Street, today announce an exclusive partnership which will see a luxury Premium Park View suite transformed into an exquisite, quintessentially British nursery, designed and tailored with a royal baby in mind. 

Dragons of Walton Street has a historic association with the Royal family, with Princes William and Harry, Beatrice and Eugenie all growing up in a Dragons' nursery. Following the Duchess of Cambridge’s exciting news and thousands of women wanting to share the experience, the UK is currently amidst the biggest baby boom in more than 40 years. With the highly anticipated arrival of the new monarch, the UK is set to witness a tourism boost with travellers heading to UK shores to experience British history in the making. 

In response, and sympathetic of the difficulties of travelling with young children, Grosvenor House and Dragons of Walton Street have developed the aptly named ‘Suite Dreams’ nursery providing parents with a quintessentially British, unique home-away-from-home experience.

Dragons of Walton Street will design and create a bespoke nursery exclusively for a Premium Park View Suite at Grosvenor House. As the first nursery offering of its kind from a central London luxury hotel, Dragons of Walton Street’s unique design will work harmoniously with the suite’s traditional 1920’s style furnishings. Inspired by the idyllic views of Hyde Park, Dragons of Walton Street will create a selection of hand crafted and hand painted furniture, with intricate illustrations representing elements of London’s most famous park, the history of Grosvenor House and the Royal family.

Greeted by a grand hallway with a characteristically British ambiance, and of course plenty of room to store a pram, the suite has been handpicked to suit every need of its guests. Encompassing a peaceful and tranquil tone and in keeping with the Dragons’ signature style, the master bedroom will feature a wonderfully sculpted cotbed, complete with coronet hanging above the centre and  sheer voiles neatly draped either side.  Taking into account every need of a new mother, the bedroom, decorated in ivory tones with luxury trimmings, will also see a chaise longue with two arms ideal for nursing. 

Guests should also expect to find a baby changing area charmingly themed with timeless Beatrix Potter characters, a licence which Dragons of Walton Street has held exclusively for more than 20 years.  The living area will have a more playful theme featuring a number of child-size furnishings, including a hand-painted play table bursting to life with iconic London themes and rush-seated chairs. The rush-seat chair is the most iconic piece of furniture in the Dragons’ range, with the likes of Samantha Cameron and Sophie Dahl having bespoke creations made. A miniature Grosvenor House dolls’ house cupboard will complete the fantasy.

“Partnering with Dragons of Walton Street is quite simply the perfect fit for our Suite Dreams nursery, in light of our own royal patronage dating back to 1929. The designs are exquisite and to know they are just for Grosvenor House, with a royal baby in mind, is really exciting. Each piece of furniture tells a story and we’re thrilled to be offering our guests with young children, a unique, memorable and royal experience that will live with them long after their stay with us and of course be able to celebrate the arrival of the royal baby in this way,” said Lorna O’Neill, Director of PR at Grosvenor House, A JW Marriott Hotel.

 “We are absolutely thrilled to be working with Grosvenor House in creating this simply magical suite that will be fit for a future king or queen. Both Dragons of Walton Street and Grosvenor House have impressive Royal heritage so it seemed completely natural to join together to celebrate the new arrival in this way,” said Lucinda Croft, owner and MD of Dragons of Walton Street.

“Going away to a hotel with a new baby can be such a palaver but every issue has been taken care of so visitors to London can arrive without a care in the world.”

The ‘Suite Dreams’ package will be available to pre-book from May 2013 and will be officially open to the public from June.

About Grosvenor House, A JW Marriott Hotel
Grosvenor House, A JW Marriott Hotel opened its doors to the public in May 1929 and quickly established itself as the glamorous home of the society set and wealthy Americans, attracting a fashionable crowd from Edward VIII and Mrs. Simpson to Ella Fitzgerald and Jacqueline Onassis. Fast forward to 2008 and the hotel culminated one of the most extensive renovation projects of its kind.  Thanks to a multi-million investment Grosvenor House has resumed its place amongst London’s most desirable hotels and is restored to its former glory, being awarded The Visit London Award for Large Hotel of The Year. The extensive restoration programme includes five bar and four dining options, ranging from traditional American fare in JW Steakhouse to award-winning afternoon tea in the scenic Park Room to Corrigan’s Mayfair, the signature restaurant of celebrity chef, Richard Corrigan.
 
For information about Grosvenor House, A JW Marriott Hotel please call +44 (0) 207 499 6363 or visit www.londongrosvenorhouse.co.uk, @Grosvenor_House and facebook.com/londongrosvenorhouse

About JW Marriott
JW Marriott is part of Marriott International’s luxury portfolio and consists of beautiful properties in gateway cities and distinctive resort locations around the world. These elegant hotels cater to today’s sophisticated, self-assured travelers, offering them the quiet luxury they seek in a warmly authentic, relaxed atmosphere lacking in pretense. JW Marriott properties artfully provide highly crafted, anticipatory experiences that are reflective of their locale so that their guests have the time to focus on what is most important to them. Currently, there are 59 JW Marriott hotels in 24 countries; by 2015 the portfolio is expected to encompass 79 properties in 28 countries. Visit us online, jwmarriott.com, @jwmarriott and facebook.com/JWMarriott

Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

Connect with jessica.kumins@marriott.com and lorna.oneill@marriotthotels.com

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Marriott Soars into Top Ten of Best Big Companies to Work for UK

Takes 7th Place on Sunday Times “25 Best Big Companies to Work For” List 2013.

London - Marriott International is once again one of the best big companies to work for in the UK, according to The Sunday Times.  For the sixth consecutive year, Marriott features on the “25 Best Big Companies to Work For” list, this year climbing 5 places to 7th place overall.  This distinction maintains the company’s ‘two star status’ under the “Best Companies Accreditation Standard 2013.” 

The results of the employee questionnaire reveal that 79% of Marriott associates believe that the company is run on strong values with a further 82% feeling they make a valuable contribution to its success.  The Sunday Times also highlights that most associates are excited about the direction in which the company is going and love their jobs.

“To be recognised for the sixth year running in the “Sunday Times 25 Best Big Companies to Work For” list is a tremendous accolade and affirmation of our commitment to be regarded as a great employer by our associates,” said Amy McPherson, president and managing director of Marriott International in Europe.  “Our core value of ‘Putting People First’ is the cornerstone of our business and a significant driving force of our success.  By providing opportunities and great experiences for our associates we create an inspired workforce and, in turn, an exceptional level of customer service that builds customer loyalty and an emotional connection to our hotels.”

Marriott’s approach to associate personal development and discipline-specific training is tailored to each individual and opens the door to a world of opportunity.  Indeed, The Sunday Times list ranked Marriott 4th in the ‘best for training’ category.  Moreover, Marriott was also recognised in the top ten for the individual categories of ‘having caring managers’ and for ‘teams creating a buzz at work’.

Associates are also encouraged to involve themselves in their community and participate in annual company sponsored volunteer activities.  Last year alone, Marriott associates in Europe volunteered nearly 4,000 hours and helped raise more than £300,000 to support Marriott’s charitable partners, The Prince’s Trust in the UK and SOS Children’s Villages in Continental Europe.

The “Sunday Times 25 Best Big Companies to Work For” list, announced online on the 3rd March, and its sister award, the “Sunday Times Best 100 Companies to Work For” list, recognise the best employers in the United Kingdom, based on employee’s own assessments on how they are valued and invested in by their company. This year more than 240,000 employees from 896 companies entered the process.

For more details on the award, visit www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/best100companies
Marriott has long been recognised as a great place to work by several prominent publications, most recently by Fortune Magazine in the Fortune 2013 ‘100 Best Companies to Work For.’  This distinction maintains Marriott’s “All Star” status as one of only 13 companies that have appeared on every list since it launched in 1998.  For a full list of other awards and recognition, visit http://news.marriott.com/awards-and-recognition.html.

Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, go to www.marriottnewscenter.com.  

Connect with helen.taylor@marriott.com

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JW Marriott Brings ‘La Dolce Vita’ to Italy

JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa to Open in 2014 – Luxury Brand’s First in Italy.

LONDON – Marriott International (NYSE: MAR) today announced plans to open a luxury resort on the private island of Sacca Sessola, located in the Venetian lagoon.  The 266-room JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa will operate under a management agreement with an affiliate of Aareal Bank AG and is expected to open in 2014.  Just a short boat ride from the beautiful city of Venice and in an unparalleled setting, the resort will be the JW Marriott brand’s first hotel in Italy and a world-class addition to its global portfolio of 59 luxury properties.

JW Marriott is currently represented in Europe by five elegant hotels in London, Bucharest, Cannes and Ankara with the fifth joining just last year in Baku, Azerbaijan.  Each hotel seeks to offer today’s discerning traveller an authentic, crafted luxury experience reflective of its locale.

“Introducing JW Marriott to Venice is an exciting time for the brand as the destination continues to be one of the most desirable in the world, famous for its stunning architecture, art, and culture,” said Amy McPherson, president and managing director for Marriott International in Europe.  “We are delighted to offer our guests the distinctly unique setting of Sacca Sessola coupled with the elegance and intuitive service synonymous with the JW Marriott brand.”

“Northern Italy’s Venetian Lagoon is one of the world’s most picturesque destinations, and we are thrilled to bring the JW Marriott brand to such an iconic and thriving location,” added Mitzi Gaskins, vice president & global brand manager for JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts.  “We look forward to bringing our guests’ passion points of Culinary, Culture and Well-Being to life at this beautifully appointed property through authentic, unique and enriching travel experiences.”

Nestled amongst Sacca Sessola’s expansive private gardens and olive groves, the JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa will feature 266 guest rooms and suites designed by renowned Matteo Thun & Partners of Milan, offering exceptional comfort and refined style.  The tranquil and private setting will invite guests to relax and rejuvenate, and, in harmony with the brand’s emphasis on well-being, the resort will offer a health club, spa, and indoor, outdoor and rooftop swimming pools.

The resort will also offer exceptional dining experiences in an array of restaurants and bars as well as unique event and wedding space in the form of a beautifully restored church.  In addition to attracting leisure guests, the hotel is expected to be popular with the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) market with over 13,000 square feet of meeting space across a variety of meeting rooms.  

Man-made in 1860, Sacca Sessola is one of the largest islands in the Venetian lagoon covering an area of approximately 40 acres.  Home to a number of hospitals during the 19th and 20th centuries, the island’s expansive parkland and gardens hint to its interesting history as a place for recuperation and well-being.  Today, just 15 minutes by boat from the historic heart of Venice, St Mark’s Square, the island offers unique access to the city’s cultural gems.  Known as the gateway to the Orient, Venice is embellished with historical monuments and intricately decorated buildings, making it infinitely popular with visitors.

All JW Marriott hotels and resorts participate in Marriott Rewards, Marriott International’s award-winning guest loyalty program, where guests can earn points at more than 3,200 hotels in 68 countries.

About JW Marriott
JW Marriott is part of Marriott International’s luxury portfolio and consists of beautiful properties in gateway cities and distinctive resort locations around the world. These elegant hotels cater to today’s sophisticated, self-assured travellers, offering them the quiet luxury they seek in a warmly authentic, relaxed atmosphere lacking in pretence. JW Marriott properties artfully provide highly crafted, anticipatory experiences that are reflective of their locale so that their guests have the time to focus on what is most important to them. Currently, there are 59 JW Marriott hotels in 23 countries; by 2015 the portfolio is expected to encompass 79 properties in 28 countries. Visit us online, www.jwmarriott.com, @jwmarriott and http://www.facebook.com/pages/JW-MARRIOTT/104246359610277

Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, go to www.marriottnewsroom.com.

Connect with helen.taylor@marriott.com and jessica.kumins@marriott.com

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