Hotels

Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s award-winning travel program and marketplace, has released a redesigned, more intuitive version of its Android mobile app, just in time for the anticipated busy summer travel season.

With 85% of the U.S. adult population planning to take a trip this summer^[1], the roll-out of the newest features on the Marriott Bonvoy app now makes travel more seamless for both Android and iOS users. Featuring new travel shopping options based on inspiring destinations and access to more of Marriott’s unrivaled travel offerings, guests will now be able to browse and book 65,000+ premium and luxury vacation rentals from Homes & Villas by Marriott International alongside Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio of 30 brands and 8,000+ hotels, as well as destination tours and activities to enjoy on their trip. The app will offer members the best available rate, as well as personalized recommendations and offers to maximize their points earned when traveling or from everyday spend.

The launch on Android follows the improved app experience that launched on Apple’s iOS operating system in 2021. As the centerpiece of the company’s mobile-first mindset, the Marriott Bonvoy app enables members to customize their experience through features such as contactless check-in and check-out, and the ability to request services and amenities via chat and mobile requests.

“We’ve had a great reception to our refreshed Marriott Bonvoy mobile app from iOS users, so we’re excited to be able to offer Android users the chance to enjoy the new features now too,” said Sarah Searls, Senior Vice President Digital, Marriott International. “The enhanced app simplifies the travel planning process, allows for the most frictionless experience before and during your stay and gets smarter the more you interact with it. Not only can guests more easily browse and book the industry’s largest range of hotels, home rentals and experiences, but through tailored offers, they can earn and redeem points to make their stays more rewarding.”

What’s new on the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app for Android:

• New Shopping and Booking Options: On the app, guests and members can now book Free Night Award as well as Suite Night Award redemptions, premium and luxury home rentals from Homes & Villas by Marriott International, Marriott Bonvoy Tours & Activities, enhanced family booking options for All-Inclusive resorts, and much more. By booking direct via the app, guests continue to be guaranteed the lowest rate available. While members enjoy the most personalized experience, non-members can also now search and book within the app.
• Updated Searching & Booking with New, Dynamic Map: Users can search and book accommodations by hotel brand, destination, price, or points needed for a free night’s stay.
• More Customization During the Stay: Improvements and additions to mobile requests and mobile key enable members to choose their level of interaction with hotel staff. Mobile Key, available at over 5,500 properties, is now accessible on the home screen once checked in. Mobile Requests now contains more one-touch-buttons so users can order a crib, shoeshine, and dry cleaning, as well as bath towels, pillows and bath products directly from the app. Mobile Requests also allows users to chat with hotel staff from 48 hours before check-in and during their stay.
• Making it Easier for Members to Earn Points: Members can see relevant promotions on the home screen and their account page, giving them easy access to promotions for stays, on select Uber rides or Uber Eats, airline partners, and other ways to earn points every day between stays.
• Enhanced User Experience: Rebuilt from the ground up, this faster-performing app boasts an improved interface that intuitively guides guests through the entire booking and in-stay journey.

Other highlights include an updated Marriott Bonvoy account profile page highlighting personalized promotions, on-property benefits to take advantage of during stays and full account activity; as well as Fingerprint Unlock that automatically engages after the first login.

The app is available in seven languages – English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Korean and Chinese, with more to come.

For more information about Marriott Bonvoy or to join as a member for free, visit: https://www.marriott.com/loyalty.mi

[1] USTA: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/85-of-americans-are-planning-summer-travel-with-personal-cars-as-top-pick-for-transportation-according-to-new-survey-from-oaaa–the-harris-poll-301500009.html

About Marriott Bonvoy^®
Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s award-winning travel program and marketplace, gives members access to transformative, eye-opening experiences around the corner and across the globe. Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, as well as through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques. With the Marriott Bonvoy app, members enjoy a level of personalization and contactless experience that allows them to travel with peace of mind. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit marriottbonvoy.com. To download the Marriott app, go here. Travelers can also connect with Marriott Bonvoy on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.

Read original article at Marriott Hotels

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Dale Wowk

Homes & Villas by Marriott International, Marriott Bonvoy’s curated and growing collection of premium and luxury whole home rentals around the world, today announced its launch in Australia and New Zealand – marking the platform’s entrance into Asia Pacific. The expansion into these new markets adds over 350 premium and luxury homes to the platform in prime leisure destinations, including Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Orange in Australia, and Auckland and Queenstown in New Zealand – just to name a few.

With Australia’s interstate and international borders now open, and with New Zealand’s borders soon to follow, Homes & Villas by Marriott International is well-positioned to meet the increasing demands from both domestic and overseas travelers for larger groups stays to experience the joy of reconnecting over travel, together. These unique homes provide members of Marriott’s award-winning travel program, Marriott Bonvoy, with more options when they travel as a complement to Marriott Bonvoy’s existing offering of 29 hotels across 13 different brands in Australia and New Zealand. Several of the homes feature balconies, pools, gourmet kitchens and large entertaining areas that make them the ideal place for gatherings.

Homes & Villas by Marriott International was launched in May 2019 to provide Marriott Bonvoy members with more options when they travel, backed by Marriott International’s 90+ years of expertise in delivering exceptional hospitality experiences. Every home listed on the platform is professionally-managed and selected to ensure it meets the high product and service standards that guests expect of Marriott International in design, cleanliness, safety, reliability and high-end amenities. It is also the only home rental platform to participate in the Marriott Bonvoy travel program, allowing its 164 million+ members to earn and redeem points for all stays.

“Private home rental offerings are tremendously popular right now as travelers look for ways to re-connect with loved ones, as well as to continue to balance remote work, school, and leisure. We are thrilled to be bringing Homes & Villas by Marriott International to Australia and New Zealand, providing our guests with a curated selection of the best premium and luxury homes in the market. These homes provide the space and amenities expected from a luxury experience and the backing of a trusted travel company”, said Jennifer Hsieh, Vice President, Homes & Villas by Marriott International.

Marriott International works meticulously with selected professional property management groups to craft the ultimate experience – from beachside villas to city penthouses. Making travel even easier, Homes & Villas also offers pet-friendly accommodation enabling guests to enjoy a getaway with their furry companion by their side. Every stay is managed by a specialist property manager and offers 24/7 support for any customer assistance needed during the getaway.

From luxurious countryside houses in vineyards, sprawling houses and magnificent lakeview villas, as well as buzzing city apartments and penthouses, guests will have access to a range of different options in the unique collection of private homes in Australia and New Zealand.

Marriott Bonvoy members who book any of Homes & Villas by Marriott International’s 65,000+ private home rentals worldwide for 5+nights between 13 June 2022 and 22 June 2022, and complete their stay with check-out on or before December 31, 2022, will earn 2X points, plus a Free Night Award valid for a future stay at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.

For more information, please visit Homes & Villas by Marriott.

About Homes & Villas by Marriott International

Launched in May 2019, Homes & Villas by Marriott International is a curated and growing collection of 65,000+ premium and luxury whole home rentals located in 700+ prime destinations throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, the Caribbean and Latin America. Leveraging Marriott International’s decades of delivering exceptional hospitality experience, each home is professionally managed and meets the company’s design, cleanliness, safety and amenity standards. It is also the only home rental offering to participate in the award-winning travel program Marriott Bonvoy, enabling members to earn and redeem points for all stays. Connect with @HomesandVillasbyMarriott on Instagram and Facebook.

Read original article at Marriott Hotels

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

The Westin Yokohama

Lobby Lounge

Miyuki Kaneko (Nacasa & Partners

The Westin Yokohama

Spa Pool

Miyuki Kaneko (Nacasa & Partners

Westin Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary hotel brands, today unveils the latest opening in Japan – The Westin Yokohama. Owned by Sekisui House, Ltd., the 373-room new hotel is set to be the city’s haven of well-being and deliver industry-leading wellness experiences designed to empower guests to be the best version of themselves.

“We are thrilled to expand the brand’s footprint in Japan with the opening of The Westin Yokohama,” said Jennifer Connell, Global Brand Leader, Westin Hotels & Resorts and Vice President, Distinctive Premium Brands, Marriott International. “As the global hospitality leader in well-being for more than a decade, Westin continues to evolve and deliver its signature wellness programs to adapt to the needs of the modern traveler. The Westin Yokohama debuts as a haven of renewal, offering guests and locals a distinct experience in Japan’s new central business district and sought-after leisure destination.”

Located in the southwest of Tokyo, Yokohama is a key port in Japan – having evolved from a small fishing town to a modern and inspiring city, as well as a commercial powerhouse in the country. The Westin Yokohama is strategically situated in the new central business district of Yokohama, Minato Mirai, offering easy access to popular sightseeing spots such as Japan’s largest Chinatown and the city’s renowned Sankeien Garden. The Tokyo Haneda Airport is within a 25-minute drive and Tokyo city centre is within a 36-minute train ride from the new hotel, making it easily accessible from other regional and international destinations.

Designed by leading architecture and design firm G.A. Design of London, The Westin Yokohama design draws inspiration from the concept of biophilia, which is built on the premise that a connection to nature enhances well-being. Inspired by the hotel’s unique location with a modern residential feel, the hotel incorporates elements that reflect Yokohama’s longstanding history as a port city and its local culture. Setting the scene upon the first-floor arrival area, guests are welcomed into a tranquil urban oasis with the gentle sounds of running water, while the natural stone and timber accented with steel and metal reflect a sense of the destination. Situated on the 23^rd floor with stunning views towards Mount Fuji, the lobby features a soaring indoor garden with lighting representing sunlight streaming through trees, as an expression of the Japanese philosophy of “shinrin yoku”, also known as forest bathing. In the heart of the lobby, the feature fireplace evokes a gracious sense of homecoming.

The hotel experience comes to life through the brand’s six pillars of well-being – Sleep Well, Eat Well, Move Well, Feel Well, Work Well, and Play Well – allowing guests to personalize their stay and engage in programming that best meets their needs. The 373 guestrooms feature the brand’s iconic Heavenly^® Bed and are thoughtfully designed with natural materials and imagery, including leaf-shaped illuminations that cast nature-inspired shadows on the ceiling to create a sensory experience. Wide, floor-to-ceiling windows frame the cityscapes of Yokohama, creating greater connections with the hotel’s surroundings. The sleek bathrooms are fitted with Heavenly® Bath rain showers, the brand’s signature White Tea aloe bath amenities, extra-large bath towels, and plush bathrobes to help guests feel rejuvenated.

Inspired by the brand’s Eat Well pillar, the hotel’s five food and beverage outlets contribute to guests’ overall well-being by offering an array of seasonal and international cuisine with a “locally grown and consumed” approach, exemplifying the hotel’s commitment to sustainability. Brasserie du Quai is an all-day dining restaurant inspired by French seaside towns, serving seasonal classical dishes such as Pâté de Campagne and Rilettes. Kissui-sen is a contemporary izakaya-style restaurant with decor and a menu that artfully balances simplicity and exquisite taste, showcasing the finest produce from Japan’s seas, rivers, fields, and forests. Complete with a private dining venue for intimate events, Iron Bay is the hotel’s signature restaurant that offers a menu with all-things perfectly grilled to order. Guests can enjoy one-of-a-kind experiences with chefs grilling succulent meats, fresh seafood, and farm-to-table vegetables and fruits, all sourced from Yokohama and its surrounding regions on an open fire grill. Located in the hotel lobby with a picturesque backdrop of Mount Fuji and Yokohama city, Sugar Merchant serves an array of coffees and teas, including artisanal Kanagawa herbal infusions along with a selection of delicate pastries. At the hotel’s speakeasy bar, Code Bar, guests can explore a remarkable range of craft cocktails and artisanal mocktails inspired by the different areas in Japan and named according to their postal codes.

The hotel features a dedicated wellness floor of over 10,000 square feet, with comprehensive facilities including Japan’s first Heavenly Spa by Westin with four treatment rooms and expert therapists offering an extensive menu of relaxing and rejuvenating spa treatments.

Guests looking to stay fit while traveling can make use of the heated indoor swimming pool and the brand’s state-of-the-art WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio with TRX training equipment, all designed to empower guests to get active, and recharge their body and mind. As part of the brand’s signature Move Well pillar, a local RunWESTIN® program provides jogging maps that offer a choice of either a three or five-mile scenic route around the futuristic Minatomirai waterfront area.

The Westin Yokohama offers more than 11,000 square feet of contemporary indoor and outdoor event space including a nearly 5,000 square foot Grand Ballroom and four meeting spaces to host events for any special occasion. The Westin Garden is a signature outdoor event space surrounded by lush green and with the backdrop of the city’s skyline, making it one of the city’s most scenic venues.

“With its inspiring location, sustainable dining, and array of wellness amenities, The Westin Yokohama is an urban oasis perfectly suited to health-conscious business and leisure travelers visiting this wonderful city,” said Richard Suter, General Manager of The Westin Yokohama. “We look forward to welcoming guests to enjoy the brand’s signature well-being experiences during their stay.”

The Westin Yokohama will participate in Marriott Bonvoy – the award-winning travel program from Marriott International – allowing members to earn and redeem points for their stay at the new hotel, and at other hotels and resorts across Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio of brands. With the Marriott Bonvoy app, members enjoy a level of personalization and a contactless experience that allows them to travel with peace of mind.

To explore more, please visit Westin Yokohama.

About Westin^® Hotels & Resorts
Westin Hotels & Resorts, hospitality’s global leader in well-being for more than a decade, empowers guests to transcend the rigors of travel while on the road through the brand’s Six Pillars of well-being: Sleep Well, Eat Well, Move Well, Feel Well, Work Well, and Play Well. At more than 230 hotels and resorts in nearly 40 countries and territories, guests can experience wellness offerings that include the brand’s iconic and award-winning Heavenly^® Bed, TRX fitness equipment in the signature WestinWORKOUT^® Fitness Studios, delicious and nutritious menu offerings on their Eat Well menu, and more. Stay connected to Westin on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Westin is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy^®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit Marriott Bonvoy.

About Marriott Bonvoy^®
Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world, with 30 brands that are tailored to every type of journey. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, and through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit Marriott Bonvoy.

Media Contacts

James Bardwell
Global Communications, Westin Hotels & Resorts
James.Bardwell@marriott.com

Cynthia Lai
Premium and Select Service Brands Communications, Asia Pacific
Cynthia.hc.lai@marriott.com

Read original article at Marriott Hotels

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

At the 44^th Annual NYU International Hospitality Investment Conference, Marriott International (Nasdaq:MAR) announced the launch of “Marriott’s Bridging The Gap,” a multi-year, $50 million development program that aims to address the barriers to entry that historically underrepresented groups face in owning and developing hotels in the United States and Canada. Recognizing that access to capital constitutes a critical barrier to market entry, Marriott will offer financial and other incentives to qualified historically underrepresented owners and franchisees that will have a controlling equity interest in select branded projects. The incentives will apply to new franchise applications submitted after June 1, 2022. Over three years, qualifying development projects built or converted under Marriott’s Bridging The Gap are expected to reach $1 billion in total asset value for historically underrepresented ownership groups.

“At the heart of what we do every day is welcome all,” said Anthony Capuano, CEO, Marriott International. “Whether that’s people who stay with us, work in our hotels, meet our supply needs or develop hotels that fly one of our brand flags – all are welcome. With the establishment of Marriott’s Bridging The Gap, we are creating an on-ramp to help propel historically underrepresented groups in the journey to hotel ownership more frequently and more successfully. We are excited to launch Marriott’s Bridging The Gap and to continue building a more diverse owner and franchisee community.”

In developing the program, Marriott tapped into the company’s development and franchising teams as well as current and potential hotel owners and franchisees. In addition to providing access to valuable capital, Marriott plans to utilize its extensive relationships with seasoned hotel developers, operators and lenders to assist and support eligible owners’ hotel projects.

“As an investor in hotel projects and long-time advocate for creating more diversity, equity and inclusion within the hotel ownership community, I appreciated the advice Marriott sought from me and other industry experts in creating Marriott’s Bridging The Gap, which I hope others will emulate,” said Tracy Prigmore, Founder, She Has A Deal. “Providing access to capital is a big step in knocking down the highest barrier to entry underrepresented groups face when attempting to build or acquire a hotel.”

The announcement of Marriott’s Bridging The Gap program is a significant step in Marriott’s longstanding effort to increase the ranks of diverse owners and franchisees. The company is a founding sponsor of the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators and Developers (NABHOOD), She Has a Deal (SHaD) and the Latino Hotel Association. Through its engagement with these organizations as well as the National Black MBA Association, Marriott has conducted outreach and educational seminars on the path to hotel ownership. In addition, Marriott regularly hosts a Diverse Owner Summit at its headquarters to identify and recruit investors with interest in hotel ownership.

“A hotel is an economic engine for a community,” noted Stephanie Linnartz, President, Marriott International. “We believe our guests, our associates, our hotels and the communities we serve will benefit from the full participation of underrepresented groups in this extraordinary industry. Marriott’s Bridging The Gap program directly addresses some of the most critical barriers to entry, with a comprehensive approach designed to enable historically underrepresented groups to enter our ownership ranks or to expand their current holdings.”

Marriott’s Bridging The Gap exemplifies the company’s aspirations under its LoveTravels platform established in 2014. LoveTravels incorporates and expresses the company’s efforts to address barriers experienced by diverse communities, as well as make global communities better places to live, work, and visit. Through inclusion, equality and creating positive and sustainable impact, LoveTravels welcomes everyone to join the conversation for change.

For more information, please visit Marriott Development.

Note on Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of United States federal securities laws, including statements related to future plans, programs and commitments; investment and funding plans and expectations; growth and development expectations; and similar statements concerning anticipated future events and expectations that are not historical facts. We caution you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to numerous evolving risks and uncertainties that we may not be able to accurately predict or assess, including the risk factors that we identify in our U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Any of these factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations we express or imply in this press release. We make these forward-looking statements as of the date of this press release and undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 8,000 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 139 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy, its highly-awarded travel program. For more information, please visit our website, and for the latest company news, visit Marriott News Center. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.

Read original article at Marriott Hotels

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News