Marriott unveils £1.3m high-tech event space

Marriott has completed a £1.3m renovation of its London Kensington hotel’s meeting facilities to cater for generation X and Y travellers’ technology expectations.

New features include secure internet connectivity, wireless-enabled LED screens and projectors, and the hotel’s BARCO Click Share system, which allows multiple laptops and tablets to connect to screens wirelessly.

Marriott is also launching a meeting services app that gives event planners immediate communication with the hotel team for an instant response and without having to leave the meeting room.

Flexible design

The London Marriott Hotel Kensington now features nine flexible and interchangeable rooms that can host a total of 235 delegates over two floors, or up to 100 delegates in the largest meeting space.

The new design allows for more interaction, with the ability to write on walls, set up the rooms in boardroom or theatre style, and a choice between high and low tables and chairs.

The breakout areas offer various seating options so delegates can easily work and network, and include more intimate cabin seating with multiple electrical outlets, as well as a central food and beverage station.

This is the third venue in the brand’s European portfolio to include the new technologies after Amsterdam and Munich.

Focus on innovation

Marriott has put a strong focus on technology in its recent renovation programmes, having introduced the Greatroom lobby, an open space with free Wi-Fi connectivity and all-day menus, in half of its European portfolio, with the full roll-out to be completed by the end of 2015.

The brand has also started offering mobile check-in and check-out to members of its loyalty programme, and plans to roll expand the service to its 4,000 worldwide properties by the end of this year.

Marriott is testing mobile service requests for things such as additional towels and pillows or valet service, in 15 hotels in the US.