Marriott Autograph Collection
Nov 12, 2009 | 5:25 pm
#16
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Again, that's assuming the "many hotels" have the current cash flow to afford Marriott's franchise and reservations fees. Since so many of them are throwing their keys at the bank these days, I'm still confused as to how Marriott will convince them to sink even more money into a faux brand. Possible Marriott hubris.
Nov 12, 2009 | 6:11 pm
#17
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Again, that's assuming the "many hotels" have the current cash flow to afford Marriott's franchise and reservations fees. Since so many of them are throwing their keys at the bank these days, I'm still confused as to how Marriott will convince them to sink even more money into a faux brand. Possible Marriott hubris.
Nov 12, 2009 | 7:06 pm
#18
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MI's reservation engine has the strongest contribution of any of major lodging companies from my personal experiences....
this is extremely important to those who reluctantly find themself as a current hotel owner....personally I can think of many lenders who are probably in current discussions with MI
Oh, and BTW, from the original release:
"We can help them save money on food, beverage, supply discounts, credit card fees and third-party online bookers," said Don Semmler, Marriott's executive vice president of brand management.
Nov 14, 2009 | 12:48 pm
#19
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If I am reading this correctly, maybe this will bring the property in Capri Italy back into the fold. Keeping my fingers crossed!!!
Nov 15, 2009 | 4:11 am
#20
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I believe you. I'm a Marriott alum.
I completely agree. Would you also agree that it's the most expensive of the brand options out there?
Well, Marriott for years has maintained that their flag is worth 5-10 points of occupancy; but in this current climate, where will those points come from? If Marriott can convince some banks to fly a kinda-sorta Marriott flag under the odd name "Autograph Collection," then Bill's even more of a genius then I always give him credit for. Let's just hope it's not another cruise line or Senior Living Services foray.
Oh, and BTW, from the original release:
God help 'em - they'll soon learn the frustrating world of Avendra!
I completely agree. Would you also agree that it's the most expensive of the brand options out there?
Well, Marriott for years has maintained that their flag is worth 5-10 points of occupancy; but in this current climate, where will those points come from? If Marriott can convince some banks to fly a kinda-sorta Marriott flag under the odd name "Autograph Collection," then Bill's even more of a genius then I always give him credit for. Let's just hope it's not another cruise line or Senior Living Services foray.
Oh, and BTW, from the original release:
God help 'em - they'll soon learn the frustrating world of Avendra!
2) MI's flags are not only worth Occ but also ADR and thus RevPAR
Banks LOVE RevPAR 3) I actually have some very good friends over at Avendra on their leadership team - for all the gripe'n folks do I personally think it's a great solution (sometimes folks gripe to gripe)
4) I saw a press release from Sunrise the other day....I chuckled a little and moved on
Nov 15, 2009 | 10:50 pm
#21
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Our Nation's Capital
Posts: 359
+1.
I always viewed Marriott as a large, fairly reliable but a cookie cutter collection of brands while SPG stood out with some of its really unique, historic and character-rich properties. I might have forgotten what I did or saw in Evora, Portugal or Hague, Netherlands but I definitely remember Convento do Espinheiro and Hotel des Indes in Hague, respectively.
And the beauty of booking a Luxury Collection hotel was that it in the past it wasn't that much more expensive, if at all, to book than a typical hotel - about cat 4 pricing or 10,000 SPG points - nothing outrageous. I would definitely start paying more attention to Marriott in the future as they attempt this.
I always viewed Marriott as a large, fairly reliable but a cookie cutter collection of brands while SPG stood out with some of its really unique, historic and character-rich properties. I might have forgotten what I did or saw in Evora, Portugal or Hague, Netherlands but I definitely remember Convento do Espinheiro and Hotel des Indes in Hague, respectively.
And the beauty of booking a Luxury Collection hotel was that it in the past it wasn't that much more expensive, if at all, to book than a typical hotel - about cat 4 pricing or 10,000 SPG points - nothing outrageous. I would definitely start paying more attention to Marriott in the future as they attempt this.
Nov 16, 2009 | 1:34 pm
#22
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This article provides much more clarity on the strategy:
http://www.hotelsmag.com/article/CA6...7&rid=14239701
My take now: This is a play similar to Preferred Hotels or Leading Hotels of the World.
http://www.hotelsmag.com/article/CA6...7&rid=14239701
Autograph Collection member hotels will be grouped into one of six categories:
Urban EdgeForward-leaning major-market lifestyle properties
Boutique ArtsHotels with a core competency surround art
Exotic RetreatsHigh-end hunting lodges
Resorts
Gaming
Iconic/HistoricLikely to be the largest of the categories, for hotels with exceptional independent branding
The categorization process is meant to deliver a sort of brand promise to consumers, in lieu of actual branding, says Don Semmler, executive vice president of brand management for Marriott International. "Each hotel will be highly unique and distinct with its own identity, appealing to a growing segment of our customers who are looking for an experience that an independent hotel can deliver," Semmler says.
Marriott sees Autograph as a win-win for itself and independent hoteliers. Member properties get to tap into Marriott's industry-leading global reservations system and sales and marketing platform. Meanwhile, Marriott grows its portfolio at essentially zero cost, ideally gaining footholds into high-barrier-to-entry marketsespecially continental Europe, where international brand penetration remains relatively low.
"It's been hard for us to really get into Europe, and we think this would be really attractive to give [European hoteliers] the reservations network while also letting them run their hotels as they see fit," Semmler says. "There are a lot of really good independent hotels that have been built in the six-year run-up after 9/11, and they were doing well, but in this downturn they've really been disproportionately affected."
Urban EdgeForward-leaning major-market lifestyle properties
Boutique ArtsHotels with a core competency surround art
Exotic RetreatsHigh-end hunting lodges
Resorts
Gaming
Iconic/HistoricLikely to be the largest of the categories, for hotels with exceptional independent branding
The categorization process is meant to deliver a sort of brand promise to consumers, in lieu of actual branding, says Don Semmler, executive vice president of brand management for Marriott International. "Each hotel will be highly unique and distinct with its own identity, appealing to a growing segment of our customers who are looking for an experience that an independent hotel can deliver," Semmler says.
Marriott sees Autograph as a win-win for itself and independent hoteliers. Member properties get to tap into Marriott's industry-leading global reservations system and sales and marketing platform. Meanwhile, Marriott grows its portfolio at essentially zero cost, ideally gaining footholds into high-barrier-to-entry marketsespecially continental Europe, where international brand penetration remains relatively low.
"It's been hard for us to really get into Europe, and we think this would be really attractive to give [European hoteliers] the reservations network while also letting them run their hotels as they see fit," Semmler says. "There are a lot of really good independent hotels that have been built in the six-year run-up after 9/11, and they were doing well, but in this downturn they've really been disproportionately affected."
Mar 15, 2010 | 10:45 am
#23
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: NC, USA
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The Autograph location in Asheville, NC is now available for reservations via Marriott.com. It's a category 5, which makes it a great place to spend my next CC Cat 1-5 cert.
Mar 15, 2010 | 1:04 pm
#24
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: Marriott Plat, PC Plat, Hertz Gold
Posts: 202
how are these treated with regards to gold/plat benefits?
Does anyone know the benefits offered at these properties. I checked, and of the 7 Autograph hotels listed on Marriott's website, only one has a a concierge level(& I'm assuming associated lounge), the Grand Bohemian Orlando. Will gold and plats get free breakfast, internet access, etc. at these properties. Will BOGO certs apply? I assume these stipulations will need to be added to MR terms and conditions.