A global hospitality brand with a long history charts an ambitious future
When pondering the immense stable of brands across the planet under the banner of Marriott International, one surprising fact is that Marriott’s origin stems from founder J. Willard Marriott’s first business venture in 1927, an A&W root beer stand. Marriott and his wife Alice ran the business for nearly 30 years in the Washington D.C. area, shaping Marriott’s standards for excellence in service for decades to come. In 1957, Marriott made a dramatic shift, entering the hotel business and making history by opening the world’s first motor hotel in Arlington, Virginia under the leadership of Marriott’s son, Bill. The brand grew to become an international presence over the next 25 years as well as an innovative industry leader as it pioneered extended-stay properties. J.W. Marriott’s grandson David was elected Chairman of the Board in 2022.
Since Marriott’s industry breakout in the late fifties, the company has branched out into numerous tiers of experiences, including collections specifically categorized as luxury, premium, select and longer stays—all offering event professionals a unique value proposition. Marriott’s Bonvoy loyalty program offers rewards for both planners and attendees, including discounted rates and points that can be applied toward hotel stays, tours, activities and more. In addition, Bonvoy members can access mobile services through the Bonvoy app and can even use their phone as a room key.
A Global Hotel Chain
As the flagship brand of Marriott’s Classic Premium tier, Marriott hotels offer access to robust meeting space with luxury amenities and services across nearly 600 properties on six continents. Marriott Portland Downtown Waterfront, for example, blends local vibes and versatile meeting space across 44,762 sq. ft. of total event space with 24 event rooms, 32 breakout rooms and the 14,144-square-foot Oregon Ballroom.
Tucked away in the lower third level of the property is the 15,500-square-foot Exhibition Hall with space for up to 106 booths measuring 8’ by 10’ with a 10-foot-tall ceiling and incandescent lighting. The space, which doubles as a parking garage, can also accommodate a reception for as many as 1,000 attendees and uses an Independent HVAC system to provide the most comfortable experience possible.
Marriott’s Bonvoy loyalty program offers rewards for both planners and attendees, including discounted rates and points that can be applied toward hotel stays, tours, activities and more.”
The brand established itself as a major presence in the incentive world. Marriott’s 769-room The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka’anaplai in Hawaii is an example. The lure of paradise and pristine nature is complemented by Westin’s generously spaced meeting facilities following a $120-million transformation in 2020 to include 20 event rooms, up to 11 breakout rooms, and the 16,295-square-foot Aloha Pavilion that can accommodate up to 1,100 for receptions. Guests can choose from five dining options and amenities that will provide relaxation after a day of meeting with an entertaining Luau.
A Brand for Every Meeting Budget
Marriott’s 30 brands include trusted names in hospitality across several tiers of service and include JW Marriott, Tribute Portfolio, Moxy Hotels, Edition, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, among many others, and is continually expanding with new locations in the U.S. and around the globe.
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Marriott recently introduced its first-ever luxury safari property, JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge located at the Masai Mara Nature Reserve in Kenya, featuring 20 luxury en-suite tents—each with a private jacuzzi and deck. Bonvoy members will enjoy an additional 10,000 bonus points per stay when booked between Oct. 10 and Nov. 11, 2023, to celebrate the brand-new luxury lodge. Planners selecting Masai Mara Lodge as a host venue will qualify to earn an additional 60,000 points per qualified event.
Located in the heart of Brooklyn, New York, the 216-room Moxy Brooklyn Williamsburg provides meeting planners with access to 13,000 sq. ft. of flexible space with the opportunity for Elite members of Marriott’s Bonvoy program eligible to receive up to 60,000 points per qualified event. The new venue in the hip Williamsburg neighborhood features several high-end bars and restaurants including Bar Bedford, which serves as an all-day cafe and creative cocktail lounge at night. Mesiba—an eatery inspired by the energy of Tel Aviv and serving up delicious Mediterranean cuisine and the festive “breaking bread” culture of the Levant region straight to this new Moxy location.
The Tampa Edition, located in the Water Street neighborhood in Central Florida, features 172 guest rooms and a total of seven restaurants and bars created through a partnership between Marriott and Michelin-Star Chef John Fraser, including the rooftop restaurant Azure at Edition serving seaside-inspired Greek cuisine with sweeping views of downtown Tampa. The new luxury property features 11,287 sq. ft. of meeting space across 11 event rooms with the largest capacity space able to accommodate 325. Hosting events at The Tampa Edition can also earn Elite Bonvoy members up to 60,000 points per qualified event. Planners can take advantage of catering menus prepared by the property’s expert culinary team and can design the perfect menu for any group.
The newly introduced The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne in Australia couples the wonder of the ancient tales of Australia’s indigenous people and the Victorian-era gold rush with modern luxury. As Australia’s tallest hotel, planners can whisk attendees up to the Sky Lobby Reception area located on the 80th level with stunning views of Melbourne. The newly minted property provides planners with access to 235,825 sq. ft. of meeting space across 10 event rooms and seven breakout rooms. The Ritz-Carlton Ballroom has a max capacity of 958.
Wine and Dine
As an international presence in the hospitality industry, Marriott employs over 3,000 executive chefs, culinarians and mixologists. Nestled in the heart of the city on the bay, JW Marriott San Francisco Union Square surrounds guests with beautiful views from the stately dining room. Attendees can enjoy breakfast and brunch with a view at Level III restaurant during the weekend and dinner seven nights a week. Level III bar is the perfect place to take a breather and regroup while enjoying delectable small bites, hand-crafted cocktails or sampling a selection of award-winning wine from Northern California’s storied Wine Country and the world.
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Hacienda del Mar Los Cabos in Mexico is equipped with six food and beverage options. While a trip to the gorgeous desert oasis is incentivizing on its own, attendees can expect all dining options to be satisfying. Imagine sipping margaritas and snacking on chips and salsa beneath a thatched roof beside the oceanfront infinity pool at Sirenas or indulging in the best selection of tacos at Burro Cansado on the terrace of Bar La Suerte.
Marriott knows planners have a lot on their plates and they’ve taken steps to simplify the process of crafting custom event menus. Event eMenus allow planners to view proposed catering meals, select the correct dates, make notes, view estimated costs and submit it painlessly through the same platform.
Things to Do
One thing planners will never have to worry about is allowing attendees to relax and engage in some needed self-care to re-energize the body and mind. Nearly every Marriott property includes a gym with state-of-the-art equipment and in some cases, in-room fitness options.
Providing attendees with an unforgettable spa experience is a sure-shot way to boost productivity. The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scottsdale in Arizona highlights the majestic surroundings of the Sonoran Desert with stunning views of Camelback Mountain. The resort features a luxurious spa offering services including massages, facial treatments, blowouts and a full-service nail salon all with options to follow up with time in the Vitality Hot Tub, sauna or steam room.
For those looking to tee off, the Phoenician Golf Club provides players with a natural flow through the course that plays to a par 71 with four sets of tees ranging from 4,575 yards from the forward tees to 6,518 yards from the players’ tees. Attendees headed to the green can also be treated to golf instruction from PGA-trained pros through a variety of lessons. The opportunity for team building and camaraderie can be further elevated by winding down with a bite to eat and a cold beverage at the 19th Hole, with grab-and-go breakfast and lunch options available.
This article appears in the digital-only July and July/August 2023 issue. You can subscribe to the magazine here.
