Bringing Back With a Clear Vision and a Plan, Marriott Reinvents the Hotel Bar By Emily Hanna Mayock BAR
THE
Think of a time when the hotel bar reigned su- preme: hotel guests and after-work crowds mingle in the stylishly appointed
lounge while a bartender diligently
crafts cocktails, taking care to use only
the freshest ingredients.
While some might imagine the 1940s
and ’50s, in reality, that time is now,
as today’s hotel operators place more
and more attention on the bar as a
revenue generator and a vital factor
in a property’s ability to step ahead
of the competition. The resurgence of
the hotel bar comes with an increased
emphasis on fresh cocktails, ramped
up technology and functional yet attractive bar design.
Leading the chain hotel world in
bringing the bar back is Marriott
International. Given that the Bethesda,
Md.-based company owns and operates more than 3,200 hotels worldwide,
the impact of its initiative on hotel bar
design and operation, as well as guest
perceptions and expectations of hotel
bars, is sure to be substantial.
16 Nightclub & Bar Magazine | OCTOBER 2009
