05/01/2017

An "Unusual" Cup of Joe

How to stand out from your peers

If you’ve read my blog before, you know one of the great pleasures of my job is to visit our properties and associates. It’s something my father loved to do, too. He taught me the importance of being seen in the hotel—being present and having a connection with the people who work there. Over the years, I’ve also come to love the uniqueness of each hotel and its location. In a sea of hotels, I love finding out what makes each hotel different and the people who work there special.

A couple of months ago, I had the pleasure of visiting our Renaissance Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel in the Dominican Republic. The Renaissance brand prides itself on the unusual. Their tagline is “Business Unusual.” They celebrate innovation and creativity, originality and expression. That commitment is on display not just in the way our associates care for guests but in the physical design of each hotel. Renaissance Hotels echo and embrace its community.

The Renaissance in Santo Domingo is a great example of using their space to reflect the neighborhood. They looked to local design talent to help create a new coffee shop. They partnered with design school, Pucamaima University in Santo Domingo, to hold a design contest for its students. The winning design includes a bright and modern space with a signature element: wall art representing a young Dominican girl. They named their muse “Ana.” It is a beautiful piece of art by local artist Willy Gomez.

Please click here to read Bill Marriott's full blog post on LinkedIn.