Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - (Page 31) www.HotelMotel.com/digital_edition HotelMotel.com | H&MM December 8, 2008 News 31 Lobby look Continued from page 4 guestroom design. The lobby is intended to be a social gathering space that also allows for “public privacy,” where guests can work, relax and entertain. A variety of seating configurations, from booths with individual televisions to a communal table, are all “laptop friendly,” catering to the brand’s business traveler base, according to Brian King, VP, global brand manager for Courtyard by Marriott. Marriott said he never imagined when the first Courtyard opened that there would be 800 hotels—a milestone the brand will reach in 2009—in more than 30 countries. When asked about the timing of the redesign, he said, “If you need the opportunity to drive rate, this will give it to you.” Research found that guests The Courtyard Newport News (Va.) Airport hotel is the first new-build property to showcase the brand’s new lobby. Marriott spent $2 million on research to determine what guests want. MARRIOTT would pay a $10-$15 premium for hotels with the new lobby, King said. “We’ve seen a 27 percent lift in intent to recommend and intent to return scores from our customers.” King hopes to have 500 properties with the new lobby or elements of it by 2011. Courtyard worked closely with its franchise advisory council on the new design. “We’re not just going to throw things out there and say, ‘Do it,’” he said. “What makes this manageable is that it is a kit of parts. Regardless of footprint, we can get the concept in there.” Dilip Desai, senior managing partner for LTD Management Co., said during his seven years on the Courtyard FAC, it has been give and take between Marriott and the owners. “That’s what I like about Marriott. We are the owners and they are listening to us,” he said. Design details The lobby is centered on a concept Marriott has been working on for several of its brands in the past couple of years—a lobby where guests can get out of their rooms, whether traveling alone or with colleagues. The keycard invites guests downstairs with the line: “The lock on your room is not meant to keep you in there.” A new food-and-beverage concept, The Bistro, replaces the Courtyard breakfast buffet with more made-to-order and readymade options and a coffee bar. It puts F&B “in the center,” King said. “Food sends a signal about gathering, sharing, shedding the day.” The Market, the brand’s grab-and-go snack spot, remains part of the lobby. In addition to outlets in tables for laptops and free WiFi, guests without a laptop have plenty of options. A business library features three computer terminals with a free printer and three separate computer stations for printing boarding passes. Books for guests to borrow and the adjacent “courtyard” area—in this case a patio with cushy seating circling fire pits—also invite guests to relax in the public space. Guests will notice welcome podiums when they enter the hotel instead of what King called “the Death Star” front desk. King said the former front desks acted as barriers, but the podiums allow employees to interact with guests. Near the entrance, the technology showpiece of the lobby is the GoBoard, a 52-inch LCD touch screen with local information, maps, weather and news headlines. Guests can navigate using the touch screen to find a restaurant or other attraction and then get directions. A new interior design package for guestrooms has a global inspiration that aims to be modern, warm and approachable. “Guests do not want uber-contemporary,” King said. “They still have to work.” hgunter@questex.com Total. Value. Program (TVP) Any guest. Any room. Any time. Is your hospitality phone system as outdated as a can on a string? T he Total Value Program (TVP) is a revolutionary new program from Minibar Systems allowing all hotels with 100+ rooms to provide this high-end guest amenity at no cost. Under the Total Value Program, hotels keep 100% of the minibar revenue. FINANCIAL VALUE No investment or financing HARDWARE High quality Compact 40 model Upgrade to PhoneSuite, the hospitality telephone system (PBX) designed by hoteliers for hoteliers - no strings attached. right features, right price, right company SOFTWARE* MCS—the industry’s leading minibar POS system *Included for hotels with 200+ rooms OPERATIONS Expert training & operational assistance TECHNICAL SUPPORT 24/7/365 Minibar Systems tel 301 354 5055 fax 301 309 1115 info@minibarNA.com www.minibarNA.com 888.303.0401 www.phonesuite.com CIRCLE NO. 116 CIRCLE NO. 119 http://www.HotelMotel.com http://www.HotelMotel.com/digital_edition http://www.phonesuite.com http://www.minibarNA.com http://www.minibarNA.com http://www.phonesuite.com
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 Contents Best Western Sets Spending Strategy Courtyard Turns 25, Unveils New Lobby New Division of MGM Goes Beyond Gaming Perspective Legal FAQ Marketing Matters Family Business On Finance AAHOA Update Satisfaction Trends HotelWorld Update Consultant’s Corner Trends & Stats IH/M&RS Editors’ Choice Award Winners Insurance Ad/Editorial Index Marketplace Classifieds Checking Out Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 (Page 1) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 (Page 2) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Contents (Page 3) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - New Division of MGM Goes Beyond Gaming (Page 4) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - New Division of MGM Goes Beyond Gaming (Page 5) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Perspective (Page 6) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Perspective (Page 7) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Marketing Matters (Page 8) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Marketing Matters (Page 9) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Family Business (Page 10) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Family Business (Page 11) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - On Finance (Page 12) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - On Finance (Page 13) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - AAHOA Update (Page 14) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - AAHOA Update (Page 15) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Satisfaction Trends (Page 16) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - HotelWorld Update (Page 17) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Consultant’s Corner (Page 18) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Consultant’s Corner (Page 19) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Consultant’s Corner (Page 20) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Consultant’s Corner (Page 21) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Trends & Stats (Page 22) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Trends & Stats (Page 23) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Trends & Stats (Page 24) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Trends & Stats (Page 25) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - IH/M&RS Editors’ Choice Award Winners (Page 26) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - IH/M&RS Editors’ Choice Award Winners (Page 27) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Insurance (Page 28) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Insurance (Page 29) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Insurance (Page 30) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Insurance (Page 31) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Insurance (Page 32) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Insurance (Page 33) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Ad/Editorial Index (Page 34) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Marketplace (Page 35) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Classifieds (Page 36) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Classifieds (Page 37) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Classifieds (Page 38) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Classifieds (Page 39) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Classifieds (Page 40) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Classifieds (Page 41) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Checking Out (Page 42) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Checking Out (Page 43) Hotel & Motel Management - December 8, 2008 - Checking Out (Page 44)
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