Ritz-Carlton launches hotel loyalty program

by Melanie Nayer on

Luxury travelers rejoice: The Ritz-Carlton will finally start giving customers loyalty points in exchange for stays at Ritz hotels around the world. Ritz-Carlton officials will unveil the “Ritz-Carlton Rewards” program this morning at a press conference in New York City.

Why the excitement? Until now, Ritz-Carlton has remained Marriott’s only brand that doesn’t offer customers points for frequent stays. Starting Sept. 15, both Marriott and Ritz-Carlton guests who sign up for the new loyalty program will be able to earn and accumulate points for reward stays at Ritz-Carlton hotels, or use points toward experiences offered through specific partnerships. Some of the partnerships with the Ritz-Carlton rewards program include Vera Wang, National Geographic Expeditions photography workshops, and Neiman Marcus.

So how will Ritz-Carlton Rewards work? According to Barbara De Lollis over at USA Today’s Hotel Check-in column:

  • There will be silver, gold, and platinum status for the Ritz-Carlton Rewards program and each level will have the same requirements as Marriott Rewards.
  • Customers can be a member of either Ritz-Carlton Rewards or Marriott Rewards; not both.
  • Marriott Rewards platinum members who stay at a Ritz-Carlton will receive a complimentary room upgrade.
  • Ritz-Carlton Rewards members who earn platinum status will receive upgrades at Marriott hotels.

I’ll report on more details from this morning’s press conference, but until then… now’s a great time to start looking at Ritz-Carlton for your upcoming trip.

Marriott’s Autograph Collection hits the Las Vegas Strip

by Melanie Nayer on

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, one of the most expensive hotels ever built, will undoubtedly add a bit of posh to the already flashy Las Vegas strip when it opens in December. But the bigger news: The Cosmo’s opening marks the entrance of Marriott into Las Vegas.

The hotel joins Marriott International’s Autograph Collection – a brand the hotel group launched last year as a way for unknown luxury hotels to maintain their boutique-like feel while tapping into the vast Marriott consumer database – and to date is one of the most high-profile hotels in the group. The Cosmopolitan will also be featured as a partner hotel on The Ritz-Carlton website.

It took $3.9 billion to build the Cosmopolitan, which will have 2,995 guestrooms once it is fully completed next year. The new luxury resort is located adjacent to CityCenter Las Vegas and is the Autograph Collection’s first casino resort.

[via HotelsMag.com]

Costa Rica Marriotts celebrate non-stop flights from New York with $101 rates

by Melanie Nayer on

Marriott Hotels and Resorts of Costa Rica found a way to celebrate the tri-state New York area. Residents of New York, Connecticut or New Jersey can stay at any of the participating Marriott Costa Rica hotels starting at $101 a night through Dec. 31, 2010. Why? Because they like you, and because Marriott is celebrating the recent launch of American Airlines’ direct flights to San Jose from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Those of you looking for deals to Costa Rica will save up to 40 percent off room rates under the “Residents Rate” promotion (code: N9R).

Guests will receive deluxe accommodations for two at Los Suenos Marriott and Costa Rica Marriott (both 5-star hotels) and at the Courtyard by Marriott San Jose Escazu. Los Suenos Marriott stays ($101/night) include free use of the free-form pool with private coves and water activity areas as well as lighted tennis courts and fitness center. Those staying at the Costa Rica Marriott ($119/night) will get complimentary use of the two outdoor pools and a whirlpool, three tennis courts, nature trails, and fitness center. Stay at The Residence Inn by Marriott San Jose Escazu ($112/night) and you’ll enjoy a Studio Suite with a fully equipped kitchen and separate living area, complimentary high speed internet, complimentary grocery shopping service, complimentary laundry service, complimentary breakfast, and complimentary use of the full-service business center.

If you need help deciding which Marriott to chose it’s helpful to know that both Los Suenos and Costa Rica Marriott have brand new luxury spas and the Marriott Los Suenos also has a golf-course located in the Costa Rica rainforest.

Marriott, New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity and KaBoom! help rebuild NOLA neighborhoods

by Melanie Nayer on

Five years have passed since Hurricane Katrina made her mark on the city of New Orleans but the city’s spirit continues to thrive, thanks to the rebuilding efforts of NOLA residences and businesses.

All this week hotels are banding together their staff and guests to help support local area projects. “Marriott’s Spirit to Serve New Orleans” package allows employees and guests to partake in voluntourism projects leading up to the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. More than 350 Marriott associates will work side-by-side with hotel guests on Aug 27 and 28 to build a New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity home and a KaBOOM! playground in neighborhoods still in need.

Guests who book the “Spirit To Serve New Orleans” voluntourism package can partner with New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity or Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans, through the end of the year, to help rebuild homes hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina and provide food to families impacted by the Gulf oil spill.

The “Spirit to Serve New Orleans” voluntourism package is priced at $99 and is available at the nine hotels in downtown New Orleans. The package includes:

  • A concierge to coordinate volunteer efforts
  • Deluxe accommodations
  • Box lunch for two
  • Transportation to and from the volunteer site
  • Two commemorative t-shirts

The participating hotels are: New Orleans Marriott; JW Marriott New Orleans; New Orleans Marriott at the Convention Center; Renaissance New Orleans Pere Marquette Hotel; Renaissance New Orleans Arts; Courtyard New Orleans Downtown near the French Quarter; Courtyard New Orleans Convention Center; SpringHill Suites New Orleans Convention Center; and Residence Inn New Orleans Convention Center.

Mall of America gets luxury hotel on the Fed’s dime

by Julie Gerstein on

Good news for mall junkies: Bloomington, Minnesota’s vaunted Mall of America will get a luxury hotel in the near future — thanks in part to federal stimulus funds.

Plans for the hotel have been in the works for several years, but had to be quashed two years ago due to lack of funding, says USA Today.

Now, Hennepin County officials have granted the Bloomington Port Authority the ability to issue $40.3 million in tax-free bonds to help fund the $130 million venture. The hotel is set to be 12 stories, and connected to the MOA via a skyway. And though it’s not yet clear who will manage the property, Starwood, Radisson and Marriott are all up for the gig.

The federal stimulus funds were made available to projects that were “significant and shovel ready” and located in economically depressed areas. Proponents of the hotel say it will bring much-needed jobs to the area, and will pay for itself in revenue. But critics argue that building a luxury property probably isn’t the best use of federal funds. What do you think, Gadling readers?
[photo by Flickr user cliff1066]