PUNE, INDIA Half a century after opening its first hotel, the 365-key Twin Bridges Marriott in Arlington, Virginia, Marriott International has opened its milestone 500th property under its flagship Marriott Hotels & Resorts brand.
The 416-key Pune Marriott Hotel & Convention Centre in Pune, India, is a new-build property that will apply for LEED Gold certification.
“Trends may come and go in lodging, but the focus of Marriott Hotels on real comfort, warm service and genuine people will never go out of style, whether you are in New York, London or Pune, India,” says Marriott International Chairman and CEO Bill Marriott. “Today, the greatest innovations for Marriott Hotels revolve around engineering a hotel experience that helps guests stay in balance, that makes work fun and down time energizing and fulfilling.
“This brand is arguably the best in the business at this, accomplishing it with tangible and stylish facilities to be sure, but mostly with the less tangible, human touch, achieved through staff training and an enduring culture of service that enables its guests to realize the promise and opportunities presented by travel. We call it ‘Inspired Performance.'”
The future of the Marriott brand is on view today at hotels around the world, including at the newest hotel in Pune. Some examples of what makes Pune Marriott an authentic, contemporary Marriott Hotel:
Relaxing work. The heart of every Marriott Hotel is the M.I. Greatroom, combining innovative design, state-of-the-art technology and creative food and beverage options. In Pune, the expansive lobby flows with flexible seating areas to a variety of food and beverage outlets on the perimeter, including a day-to-night bar, serving continental breakfast in the morning, hand-crafted beverages at night and a moderately priced menu of simple, fresh, chef-crafted food. Other options in Pune include Spice Kitchen, an all-day dining restaurant, and Pune Baking Company, a deli for gourmet coffee, pastries and take-away snacks.
Energizing recharge. Marriott Hotels help guests achieve balance while traveling through expanded fitness facilities and guest rooms designed with thoughtful functionality. Pune Marriott offers a 10,000-sq.-ft. Quan Spa, with 13 treatment rooms and more than 100 authentic, indigenous treatments; a full-circuit fitness center with state-of-the-art strength and cardiovascular equipment; an outdoor, heated swimming pool. Guestrooms are built around performance, with Marriott’s signature bedding, high-definition LCD televisions, plug-in panel, wired and wireless Internet, swivel desks, ergonomic chairs, iHome docking station, mini-refrigerators, laptop safes and headboard reading lights.
Modern classics in F&B. Marriott chefs prepare modern classics with quality ingredients, foundational cooking and updated presentation. Including the restaurants off the lobby, Pune Marriott has nine different outlets, such as Indi-Chill, a rooftop Indian restaurant and night club with Indian lounge music; Shakahari, an international vegetarian restaurant; Alto Vino, an Italian restaurant and wine bar; and Bar 101, a whiskey and cigar bar serving 101 different whiskeys.
Taking care of business. At Marriott Hotels, the concierge or executive lounge is a home base for frequent travelers. In Pune, a spacious Executive Lounge on the 20th floor overlooks the city. A 24-hour business center is always available.
Meetings and events. Marriott Hotels provide a comprehensive, end-to-end solution for a wide array of events, seamlessly choreographed by a team made up of sales, event and food and beverage associates and coordinated by a person who wears the Marriott Red Coat, providing the event planner with a visible and accessible method to communicate customer needs and program changes. Pune Marriott has almost 40,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, including a 13,000-sq.-ft. ballroom with 22-ft. ceiling, three other ballrooms for receptions of up to 600 people each and eight meeting rooms.
Team approach. Marriott associates are trained to anticipate guests’ needs and deliver its services with warmth and genuine caring, and to function as a teamed support system.
