Saturday, November 29, 2008

Marriott Now in Town

First Check-In at the Marriott Executive Apartments in Bahrain

Manama, Bahrain - November 28, 2008The Marriott Executive Apartments Bahrain has officially checked in its first guests, November 27, 2008 at 11.24 am local time. Mr. Joseph Richards and his family were greeted by the entire pre-opening team and the General Manager Hossein Garan. “It is a remarkable day for us and Marriott International as we are herewith opening the first Marriott property in Bahrain.”

The soft opening period will officially start today, November 28, 2008.


First Check-in: Mr. Joseph Richards and his family were welcomed by (from right) General Manager Hossein Garan, Director of Sales Marwan Haddad, and Director of Rooms Operations Teodor Ardeleanu.


The Marriott Executive Apartments Manama Bahrain is strategically located in Al Fateh/Juffair, near to the diplomatic area, the city’s financial district, Bahrain International Airport and Bahrain International Investment Park. The luxury serviced apartment hotel offers 188 elegantly appointed one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments overlooking the Kingdom skyline and Arabian Gulf as well as Skyw@lk café, gym and swimming pool.

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Marriott Executive Apartments, the upscale serviced apartment brand of Marriott International (NYSE: MAR) will nearly double in size in the next 36 months to respond to a growing need in many emerging markets for long-term stay lodging for executive expatriates needing spacious housing and hotel amenities. Including Bahrain, Marriott operates 17 Marriott Executive Apartments in 14 countries outside the U.S., and 14 more hotels are planned in countries such as Qatar, Thailand, Egypt, China, India, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

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MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) is a leading lodging company with more than 3,100 lodging properties in the United States and 66 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club, Horizons by Marriott Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Grand Residences by Marriott brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Md., and had approximately 151,000 employees at 2007 year-end. It is ranked as the lodging industry’s most admired company and one of the best companies to work for by FORTUNE®, and has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the 2007 Sustained Excellence Award and Partner of the Year since 2004. In fiscal year 2007, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $13 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at http://www.marriott.com/.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

TRAINING DAY, ONE STEP FORWARD TO OPENING DAY

Marriott Team Gets Started with “In the Beginning Orientation”

Marriott Executive Apartments Manama, Bahrain, has recently completed a three-day training course and orientation for associates. More than 100 team members participated in the seminar, which included group discussions, workshops, gatherings, games and energizers. The event was the kick off to prepare the Marriott team for its soft opening, scheduled on the November 28, 2008.

Members of Bahrain Marriott pre opening team pose together forming letter “M” for MARRIOTT in front of the premises on the last day of the training.


General Manager Hossein Garan said, “The orientation In the Beginning is one of the essential developing tools that Marriott uses to promote the companies heritage and culture, as well as education on how to be a Marriott Ambassador. The aim is to ensure that we, as a team, are the perfect hosts for our residents and guests.”

Areas of learning included the Marriott history, culture, hospitality, guest skills, Marriott International’s vision and mission as well as local area information.

“We believe in training and its important role in achieving our business goals. We do encourage associates in continuous learning process from day one. We focus on building, sharpening and developing skills in order to achieve career goals,” said Loay Mamdouh, Human Resources Manager at the Marriott Executive Apartments Bahrain.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Today's Lesson: Brand Voice

Today, I learn something new during my traning program with Marriott. The program told me about the meaning of Brand Voice.

According to Marriott Extranet, Brand Voice is the combination of the "tangibles" and "intangibles" that together create and communicate a brand's personality. It's the products, the services, the communications, the collateral.

Each brand has a unique brand voice that reflects the personality and positioning of the brand. What it sounds like. What it looks like. What it feels like.

The Brand Voice infuses everything we do for a brand, down to the smallest detail. How we interact with the guest, what the in-room collateral looks like, the color schemes, and the music we play -- it's all Brand Voice!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

FIRST MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL HOTEL – A MARRIOTT EXECUTIVE APARTMENTS -- SET TO OPEN IN BAHRAIN

The distinctive Bahrain apartment hotel will cater to executive expat travelers

Built for business, the Marriott Executive Apartments Manama will be the first Marriott International (NYSE:MAR) branded hotel to operate in Bahrain when it opens in December 2008. The exclusive Bahrain apartment hotel (http://www.meabahrain.com/) is designed for extended-stay business travellers and long family holidays, offering 188 beautifully appointed one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments overlooking the Kingdom skyline and Arabian Gulf. It is strategically located in the Al Fateh/Juffair, near the diplomatic area, the city’s financial district, Bahrain International Airport and Bahrain International Investment Park.

At the Marriott Executive Apartments Manama, Bahrain each apartment is furnished to be a home away from home, with elegantly appointed bedrooms with ensuite bath, an entertainment center, fully equipped kitchen and high-speed Internet, satellite television, DVD and CD players. Five-star amenities include dual-voltage electrical outlets, direct incoming and outgoing telephone line, cordless speaker phones, private voicemail accessible from outside, interactive TV, wired and wireless internet connection, housekeeping services, room service, grocery shopping and dry cleaning service.

A fully serviced apartment hotel, the Marriott Executive Apartments Manama, Bahrain, offers its residents a private area -- the Resident’s Lounge – to unwind or socialise with other residents. The monthly residents’ hospitality events and social activities will allow guests and their families to develop a sense of community in their executive expat home. In addition to the Residents Lounge, recreation and leisure facilities include the fully equipped “Sky Fitness” health club and rooftop swimming pool, steam room and sauna.

Dining options at the Marriott Executive Apartments Manama, Bahrain include room service and the Skyw@lk Café serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Guests can also enjoy a Grab-N-Go option, providing an ideal solution for business travellers on the go.

For reservations, contact the Marriott Executive Apartments Manama, Bahrain:
telephone:+973 (17) 363 999; fax: +973 (17) 363 888; e-mail: mea.baher.dos@marriott.com; web site http://www.meabahrain.com/

Monday, November 3, 2008

Being MARRIOTT way

This is the first time I post an article on this ugly blog since 2 months ago. There were many things happened to me, most of them were great things, happiness.. and I enjoyed my times. One of the most remarkable events, to me, is to be part of Marriott family.

Why do I say “family” Because the company treats me like member of family. In some cases, they pamper associates like baby. They rally do take care us, because the Marriott philosophy is “Marriott takes care associate, then the associate will take care guests and finally, the guest will come back to the Marriott.”

Yes, it is just like a circle..! and not only that, Marriott put associates in a very important level, even in its core value. What are they?

Spirit to serve guests,
Spirit to serve associates,
...and spirit to serve communities.

I joined the company just recently but I can see how much they respect and appreciate me. You see, they put us on the second number, after the customers. What a great company..!

For more detail, please read below fact or go further with the website (www.marriott.com):

Marriott International, Inc (MAR:NYSE) is a leading worldwide hospitality company with more than 2,700 lodging properties, totaling approximately 499,000 rooms, including more than 10,000 vacation ownership villas, in the United State and 66 other countries and territories. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C. It is ranked as the lodging industry’s most admired company and one of the best places to work for by Fortune magazine. In fiscal year 2005, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of 11.6 billion, and the company had approximately 143,000 employees at year-end 2005.