WASHINGTON --
Marriott International launched a major, $190 million initiative to
upgrade the beds and bedding at more than 2,400 of its hotels
worldwide.
Marriott said
that by the end of the year, some 628,000 new beds would be
installed across all of its eight hotel brands.
Together with our
hotel owners and franchisees, we are launching an unprecedented
bedding makeover, continuing our invitation to guests to experience
the new look and feel of Marriott, said J.W. Marriott, Marriotts
chairman and CEO, in a statement. This initiative draws on the
finest designs and service traditions at our best hotels worldwide
to position each of our brands as the most luxurious in their
segment.
According to
Marriott, the global bedding makeover will utilize more than 30
million yards of fabric -- enough to stretch more than two-thirds
of the way around the world -- creating softer sheets, plusher
mattresses, stylish duvets and more pillows -- and a new fresh,
white look.
Marriott said its
full-service JW Marriott, Marriott and Renaissance brands would
replace traditional bedspreads with duvet-covered down comforters.
Additionally, the new bedding will feature 300-thread-count, cotton
white flat and fitted sheets. The chain also noted that the duvet
covers would be freshly laundered for each new guest.
Courtyard,
Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites, Fairfield Inn and TownePlace
Suites -- Marriotts, select-service and extended-stay brands-- will
also replace bedspreads with bedding featuring comforters and
triple sheeting, and more pillows.
This spring, the
new Marriott Hotels & Resorts bedding scheme will be available
for purchase. Marriotts bedding initiative follows other major
chains such as Westin, which introduced the successful Heavenly Bed
several years ago and spurred other competing hotel chains to also
upgrade their guests sleep experience.
To contact
the reporter who wrote this article, send e-mail to Michael
Milligan at [email protected].