Marriott Opens Its "M Beta" Hotel Laboratory in Charlotte
The future of Marriott is here and it can be found in Charlotte, North Carolina. Marriott International officially opened its "M Beta" property at the Charlotte Marriott City Center this Tuesday, which will serve as a lab and testing ground for the brand's future design, tech and service initiatives.
The Charlotte Marriott City Center was originally built in 1984 and had "everything that was wrong with Marriott brands," according to Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson. Marriott purchased the hotel for $111 million dollars in 2013 and committed to renovating the property and turning it into something that will serve as an inspiration for more of the brand's hotels across the globe.
Marriott has since transformed the hotel into something that feels much more integrated with the city then a traditional chain hotel. The property features a clean, modern design and residential-style guest rooms. It's also a testing ground for these new features, as guests can provide feedback in real time with just the tap of a "beta button."
Mike Dearing, managing director for the Marriott brand, said each room cost $36,000 to upgrade and the entire renovation totaled about $16 million. While this hotel isn't what all properties will end up looking like, Marriott executives hope that it inspires franchise owners across the globe to renovate their hotels in a similar fashion.
"We don't want any hotel to be the same," said Sorenson, mentioning how Marriott's trying to lose its typical cookie-cutter image and instead promote more integration with the local community. Executives also said there are plans to roll out another "M Beta" hotel so they can test how new concepts are received by a different market.
In the meantime, here are five new features that are being tested out at the "M Beta" hotel lab in Charlotte, some of which you might spot during your next stay at a Marriott property.
1. "Hosted Arrival" at Check-In
Marriott wants to give customers what they want, so you can choose to have as much — or as little — interaction as you'd like. For instance, you can check in on a mobile device and use your smartphone for keyless entry to the room, that way you don't have to even interact with anyone. Or, if you like, a Marriott employee can personally greet you and perform a curbside check-in now that the check-in process can be completed from a tablet.
2. Newly Redesigned and Renovated Guest Rooms
Say goodbye to dirty, worn-out carpets and hello to sleek, hard-wood floors. Most rooms have gotten rid of the traditional hotel desk, replacing it with a large couch and "nesting" tables. Natural lighting is important to the new room design, while tech is prominently displayed — all rooms include massive 55" HD televisions with streaming services like Netflix and Hulu built right in.
3. Localized Lounging
Marriott executives repeatedly emphasized how important it was for the hotel to feel integrated with the city. They introduced two eateries — Stoke and Coco & the Director — that have partnered with several Charlotte food and beverage vendors. At Stoke, you'll have access to farm-to-table eats and plenty of North Carolina micro-brews. Stoke's open-space layout promotes interaction with the food while Coco's stadium-style seating and co-working spaces break the mold of where one might consume a traditional continental breakfast. Even better, a wine shop in the lobby is staffed with a wine specialist who can help you pick out the perfect bottle to take to your room or enjoy with your dinner.
4. New Features for the Fitness Center
Marriott executives decided to replace the hotel's pool and use the space to expand its fitness center instead. What they've created is a beautiful, light-filled exercise space that's on par with full-service gyms.
Also introduced are on-demand fitness classes, where you can choose from more than 200 in-studio classes ranging from yoga and pilates to cycling, all with virtual instructors displayed on a wall full of screens.
You can even get personalized running routes sent directly to your phone via text message in case you'd like to explore the city on your own workout.
5. New Meeting Spaces and M Club Lounges
The M Club Lounge was moved to the first floor and redesigned to feel more like a home and less like a lounge. Comfortable seating and lots of food options with a full kitchen make it a great place for elite customers to get away.
Within the hotel's third floor meeting space is the LG Studio, which is essentially a full LG kitchen that serves as great centerpiece for small gatherings or larger networking events.
Which of Marriott's new innovations are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments, below.
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| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.