Marriott seeks millennial business with hotel renovations

Marriott is chasing the millennial crowd by renovating three of its hotels in Palm Beach County.

Common spaces like the lobby and bar will be redesigned to be more friendly. Wi-Fi bandwidth is being increased in those spaces, and charging stations for smartphones and other devices are being added. Cheri Rutledge, general manager at the West Palm Beach Marriott, told the Palm Beach Post the changes are intended to adapt to the work styles of millennials. “[They] don’t define work as just that 8 or 10 hour day. They mingle, socialize and work together. We are trying to create spaces where people are comfortable doing that.”

Lobbies will also have sun shades removed to allow more natural sunlight in. Communal tables will be added to bars, and new furniture will be placed near pool areas. In addition to the West Palm Beach Marriott, renovations are also planned for the Palm Beach Gardens Marriott and the Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa.

According to Marriott’s annual report, millennials accounted for about 19 percent of its U.S. business room travel in 2013. The company projects that rate to increase to 34 percent by 2020 as the next batch of millennials graduate from college and enter the work force. Discover The Palm Beaches, the county tourism marketing department, reported that about 16 percent of tourists traveling to Palm Beach are millennials. [Palm Beach Post] – Chris Guanche