JW Marriott Brand Debuts On Australia's Golden Golden Shores With The Opening Of JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa

JW Marriott, part of Marriott International, has announced the opening of JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa, marking the debut of Marriott International's iconic JW Marriott brand in the Pacific region. Located close to the Gold Coast’s gorgeous golden beaches, unspoilt hinterlands and famous family attractions, the resort brings a new level of luxury to the beachside city. For discerning guests, this is a sophisticated sanctuary that lets them kick back, relax and rediscover a sense of balance in body and mind. Travelers who wish to explore the Gold Coast's most popular visitor attractions will find the resort conveniently located close to Surfers Paradise Beach, Sea World, Dream World, Pacific Fair Shopping Centre and many more must-see destinations.

“We are excited to continue the growth of our luxury footprint and expand our brand portfolio in Australia with the opening of JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa,” said Sean Hunt, Area Vice President, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific, Marriott International. "Despite the challenges from ongoing international air travel restrictions, we have nevertheless seen strong demand within the luxury hospitality segment this year. We are greatly encouraged by this, and look forward to welcoming back local and international guests to experience the outstanding luxury and service of our newest property here in the beautiful Gold Coast."

An Update from Marriott’s CEO on Commitment to Cleanliness

Marriott International has always placed an emphasis on health and safety for our guests and associates. Our founder, J.W. Marriott, used to personally inspect kitchens and guest rooms for cleanliness during his hotel visits. A high standard of cleanliness is in our DNA.

The COVID-19 pandemic has required us to raise our demanding standards to an even higher level with new protocols for the current circumstances.

Marriott has put in place a multi-pronged approach designed to meet the health and safety challenges presented by COVID-19. Below is an overview of the key components of Marriott's Commitment to Cleanliness.

• Marriott Global Cleanliness Council: Consisting of in-house and outside experts in food and water safety, hygiene and infection prevention, and hotel operations, the council will work to develop a new generation of global hospitality cleanliness standards, norms and behaviors for our more than 7,300 properties around the globe.

• New Cleaning Technologies: While our council develops its work, we have initiated plans to roll out enhanced technologies at our properties over the next few months, including electrostatic sprayers and the highest classification of disinfectants recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization to sanitize surfaces throughout hotels.

• Cleaning Regimen Changes: When guests check into our hotels over the next few months, they will notice a number of additions to our cleaning regimen designed to set an even higher standard of cleanliness for the hotels as well as modifications to associate-guest protocols developed to be consistent with recommended social distancing guidelines.

  The steps we're taking on cleanliness and new hospitality norms are as much about the health and safety of associates as they are about our guests. 

  By taking care of associates and following these new protocols - we will be collectively taking care of our guests and the global community.

Covid-19 Crisis: Value engineering for hotels is the key

The engineering department of a hotel holds great importance for a property to function efficiently. By providing utility services like electricity, steam, hot water, air-conditioning and refrigeration and maintaining engineering and services of various other equipment, the chief engineers are undoubtedly the backbone of a hotel

Chief engineers across all hotels in the country are figuring out ways to keep their hotel operating and running smoothly, post lockdown.

Sanitisation for us will be the most important aspect. We may look forward to adding more toilets around the properties. Even when we start operating, we would go with 50% of the workforce at a time

The virus becomes suspended in droplets smaller than five micrometres, known as aerosols, it can stay suspended for about a half-hour, before drifting down and settling on surfaces where it can linger for hours.The finding on aerosol, in particular, is inconsistent with the World Health Organization’s position that the virus is not transported by air. This has opened up a whole new sphere for engineers to work on.

We as engineers have to ensure that air inside a room or a public space like a lobby or restaurants, keeps changing. More air handling units will have to be installed in hotels. Instead of taking the air back, there should be a provision of pumping fresh air” said Rothin Banerjee, Director - Engineering, Taj Palace, New Delhi.

For Rahul Singh Sisodia, Director - Engineering JW Marriott, Aerocity, New Delhi, value engineering in the current situation is the key as a huge amount of liquidity and cash flow is needed to ensure the efficiency of a hotel.

India's top hotels will now deliver meals at lower rates amid lockdown

With social distancing becoming the new normal, hotels such as Indian Hotels, Marriott, Grand Hyatt and Accor Group Hotels are ensuring their meals reach the doorsteps of guests. For an industry that counts heavily on the overall experience, a personalised touch and ambience to pamper its guests, this is a first.

Guests can choose their favourite cuisines from a specially curated compact menu at a tad lower price than what they would have paid when dining at the hotel restaurants.

 The owner of Taj hotels is offering confectionary and gourmet hampers and a hamper for spa at home

Marriott International, the world's largest hotel chain, too, is pulling all plugs for its guests to beat the lockdown blues. Its brands including JW Marriott, Sheraton, Ritz Carlton, and Four Points are giving the guests an option for a take away or home delivery.

The hotels have introduced a compact menu of their signature dishes and are already seeing a positive response from local residents in their vicinity, she said. Stringent checks and safety measures are being taken while preparing, packaging and delivering these meals across homes.

Vaishali Shahi appointed as Human Resources Manager at Hyatt Regency, Chennai

Hyatt Regency Chennai recently announced the appointment of Vaishali Shahi as the Human Resources Manager. She brings with herself 12 years of experience in human resources and will be seen overlooking strategic planning, recruitment policy, design & implementation, talent management, and associate engagement.

 Having a strong background in the hospitality industry, Shahi gained immense knowledge working with eminent brands such as, IBIS Bengaluru, Crowne Plaza Pune City Centre, and JW Marriott Pune. In her tenure, she coordinated with senior managers to ensure that smooth activities are completed and issues are addressed to reinforce an assertive outlook of the organisation, championed communication with necessary use of compensation systems, tools, programs and policies, facilitated learning and development sessions and other key strategies.

Remington Hotels appoints Joe Masi as Senior Vice President of Operations

Joe Masi joins Remington Hotels with over 35 years experience in the hospitality industry. Here his responsibility include overseeing hotel performance with a focus on projects, including operational plans for new hotel openings and conversions, interim hotel management and the execution of group initiatives.

Most recently, the alumnus of Johnson & Wales University served as Vice President of Operations for the Schulte Hospitality Group, where he was responsible for more than 81 hotels, 7,500 rooms and 4,000 associates. Prior to joining Schulte Hospitality Group, He was vice president of operations at TPG Hotels & Resorts after working for Interstate Hotels & Resorts, where he held a number of executive positions for 26 years, including Vice President of Operations and Vice President of Special Projects. He has also held various executive positions with InterContinental Hotels Group and JW Marriott.