A series of major product refreshments will soon come into play for JW Marriott Hotels & Suites Saigon, following Marriott International’s management takeover of the dual-tower hotel complex in Ho Chi Minh City’s prime District 1 zone last September.
According to hotel manager Yannick Freymann, the luxury property is a significant project, as it is the first JW Marriott hotel in Ho Chi Minh City (joining two others in Hanoi and Phu Quoc) and the first luxury hotel in the Marriott International portfolio to open in the Vietnamese city.
“It was also significant that the takeover was overnight although the management team had a couple of weeks to prepare. The operational transition was very smooth and we did not have to close the property down at all. We transitioned with a full house, including groups on property, while maintaining service on a luxury level,” recalled Freymann.
“We’re very excited to show Mapletree what we can do with this property, which would lead to a future with more management opportunities,” stated Freymann.
The JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon team wants to bring “a spark of innovation” to the property and raise it to the luxury level befitting its stellar location among consulates and offices of global companies.
“Planning started the moment we came in,” he said. At press time, plans indicate that all guest rooms and suites will be upgraded while restaurants will be renovated and new dining concepts will be introduced.
The number of keys and room-type configuration will remain – 305 guest rooms and suites in one tower and 260 full-service apartments in the other – but guests can look forward to new furnishings and layout, as well as the inclusion of functional technology that improves the guest experience.
Renovations will be done in phases, starting in April this year, to avoid inconveniencing guests.
Ahead of these major works, JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon has already refreshed its lobby to reflect the brand’s commitment to sustainability and its JW Garden serene sanctuary concept. The lobby spots a lush garden and water feature in the centre, a floor-to-ceiling planter wall, and more potted plants – instead of less sustainable cut flowers – throughout the space.
Alongside hardware changes, heart-ware investments will see hotel associates undergo training to understand the JW Marriott brand and product concepts.
Freymann expressed business confidence on both the leisure and corporate fronts. The hotel’s location in Ho Chi Minh City’s commercial and culture hub presents it with opportunities to tap the business event, business travel, and luxury holiday markets, while the JW Marriott brand is well-positioned to respond to the rise in luxury travel interest in the destination.
