SpringHill Suites San Diego Downtown Bayfront Opens as Marriott's 3000th Select Service Hotel

. May 10, 2016

SAN DIEGO, CA. May 10, 2016 - The highly anticipated SpringHill Suites and Residence Inn San Diego Downtown Bayfront celebrated its grand opening last week spreading excitement throughout San Diego—America's Finest City. Marriott executives and hotel ownership cut the ribbon alongside of San Diego City Leadership including the Mayor, Councilman and Port Chairman to welcome guests and members of the media to this beautiful new hotel. Beyond the grand opening the focus of this celebration surrounded the SpringHill Suites by Marriott being the 3,000th Select Service Property for Marriott's Global Portfolio.

Benedict Cummins, Publisher of HotelExecutive got the opportunity to converse with Loren Nalewanski, Vice President and Global Brand Manager for SpringHill Suites and TownePlace Suites by Marriott, for a more indepth perspective on the two properties.

Loren, can you tell us about your background experience in hotel brands, including your tenure with Marriott?

Sure. After completing a summer internship at the then famed Abbey Resort on Lake Geneva and graduating from Johnson and Wales University in Providence, RI, I began my now 26 year career with Marriott as a front desk manager trainee with the Courtyard division. Working and learning my way through all hotel management positions from coast to coast, including the General Manager role, I transitioned from operations into property and regional HR positions. In 2004, I was appointed Vice President of Talent Management and Work Environment for North America, establishing the Work Environment Center of Excellence at Marriott, and guided the architecture of the associate engagement strategy in use globally today for Marriott International.

In 2009, I was named Vice President of Global Operations Services working to develop and start-up the Global Operations Services group. In this role, I led the teams responsible for key areas related to the deployment of all operational programs, products and services, across all Luxury, Lifestyle and Marriott Endorsed brands. Today, I serve as Vice President and Global Brand Manager of both the TownePlace Suites and SpringHill Suites by Marriott brands. Opening two hotels every ten days between the two brands, and with more than 600 individual hotels between TownePlace Suites and SpringHill Suites, we are experiencing unprecedented growth in the United States and Canada. The energy and demand around these two brands is remarkable our owners simply can't get enough of them! I am extremely honored and happy to be where I am within the Marriott family, and am looking forward to the exciting and ever changing future ahead!

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Loren Nalewanski
How important is this 3,000th opening to Marriott?

Marriott is extremely proud of the work and collaboration surrounding this hotel. The designation of the SpringHill Suites San Diego as the 3,000th of the select service and extended stay in the Marriott Global Portfolio, shows our dedication to continue to build a strong pipeline of new properties to accommodate both business and leisure guests across North America. San Diego is America's Finest City. It is a great market for both business and leisure, and that is why this property fit so perfectly nestled in the downtown area. We offer an all-suite hotel, with services and amenities catering to both short business or leisure travel or long-term extended stay travel. San Diego is home to many large corporations and military personnel, both of which bring travelers to the city, enabling a perfect opportunity for us to fit into the growth of San Diego's North Embarcadero area.

Who will be operating the new hotel?

Ownership of this property is a joint venture between Portman Holdings, Hensel Phelps, Lankford & Associates and AIG. Marriott International's management group Managed by MarriottSM will manage the new property. John Portman & Associates designed hotels deliver an integrated guest experience for both of these Marriott brands within one shared footprint.

Throughout the past 60 years, Portman Holdings has developed over 50 million square feet of premium real estate around the world with a focus on hospitality, office and mixed-use properties. The vertically integrated real estate development, investment and management company commands a successful global network and has a proven track record with the world's top financial institutions. Portman Holdings continues to achieve success through investor, partner and client relationships that deliver exceptional real estate projects. For additional information, visit www.portmanholdings.com

Managed by MarriottSM (MxM) is the branded hotel management solution for owners of any of Marriott International's 19 powerful lodging brands. MxM provides turnkey management services and brings nearly 60 years of exclusive expertise in managing hotel operations. MxM has the experienced and responsive people, strategic vision and depth of resources to maximize financial performance for Marriott owners. MxM manages more than 1,000 hotels worldwide. For more information, visit www.managedbymarriott.com.

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Nestled on the San Diego waterfront, the property offers spectacular views

What can you tell us about the development plans of the San Diego SpringHill Suites and Residence Inn?

The SpringHill Suites and Residence Inn were developed as the first in a two-phase mixed-use development known as BRIC—“Broadway at Pacific Highway”—within San Diego's North Embarcadero area. The development site is located on N. Harbor Drive across from San Diego's new cruise ship terminal—part of the city's North Embarcadero Visionary Plan. Development plans include an approximately 1.6 acre public park with access to the waterfront. In addition to the Marriott properties, phase one also includes 27,000 square feet of retail space - much of which faces the San Diego Bay. The developer, also installed Lane Field Park, a linear park that runs the full length of the development, between the hotels and the waterfront. From the onset of this project, the emphasis was and is that of a project wholly integrated into the fabric of San Diego and its waterfront. The guest experience originates with the place. A key project goal focused on giving definition and edges to the public open space of the waterfront, clearly defining this major asset to the hotel and to the public. The two hotel brands share this connected experience. Integration into the San Diego environment gives authenticity to the project. For us being part of the BRIC development is very exciting. It will enable our guests to have the opportunity to dine and shop just steps away from the hotel. This will create an area that the citizens of San Diego can experience and enjoy along with visitors.

The Embarcadero area is located along the San Diego harbor on the east side of the San Diego Bay. “Embarcadero” is a Spanish word meaning “landing place,” so the new dual property fits perfectly into the culture of the area.

Hensel Phelps Construction Company is one of the largest general contractors and construction managers in the United States, ranked consistently among Engineering News-Record's top 20 contractors. Founded in 1937 a small, local builder in Greeley, Colorado, Hensel Phelps has grown into a multibillion-dollar employee owned, national contractor with an eclectic an unparalleled portfolio of successfully completed projects.

Lankford & Associates, Inc. is a real estate development firm founded in 1982 in San Diego, CA on the principles of integrity, innovation and involvement. For almost 50 years, they have been leaders in the industry, completing over 4.4 million sware feet of development in the Western United States. Active markets include San Diego, Phoenix, Fresno, Denver, Sacramento, Seattle and Yuma. Lankford & Associates is uniquely established as experts in seeral sectors, including: public/private and governmental, commercial, life sciences and mixed-use (residential and hotel).

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Spacious rooms provide the best in modern touches

What are some of the more endearing features of the SpringHill Suites property?

The first thing you'll notice about the hotel is the striking yellow wall which lights up the city skyline and instantly attracts the eye. The hotel is located in the epicenter of the city with easy access to local attractions including the U.S.S. Midway; San Diego Zoo; historic Gaslamp District; Seaport Village; the Convention Center, and the San Diego International Airport. Once you are inside of the hotel, there is not a bad view to be found. There are spectacular bay or city skyline views from all of the rooms, Signature amenities and services such as complimentary breakfast, an outdoor swimming pool, bayfront patio area and state of the art fitness center cater to each guests' stay whether it is for business or leisure.

Featuring suites that are larger than typical hotel rooms, every aspect, from furniture and lighting to colors and fabrics, has been carefully selected to offer calm and refreshing spaces. Separate living, working and sleeping spaces also provide guests with flexibility and functionality.

The hotel also has amazing views from every level, whether you're in your hotel suite, the pool area or lobby, you'll experience 360° views at every turn.

We also have a 24-hour market with a wide variety of food, snacks and beverages (including alcohol) that guests can indulge in while staying at our hotel.

What can guests expect when they walk into their room at SpringHill Suites?

This location encompasses the essence of the SpringHill Suites brand where guests will experience little extras during their stay that are refreshingly unexpected. Guests will experience large spacious accommodations that offer comfort and privacy upon entering their room. Suites include a separate sleeping, working and sitting areas and a pull out sofa for extra family and friends. Each SpringHill Suites room offers comfortable beds, deluxe linens and plush pillows, as well as kitchenette with microwave and mini-fridge. The hotel's tasteful bathroom features modern touches, a marble-top vanity, iridescent tile walls and creative lighting features, which enable travelers revive and refresh. Guest will also be able to stay connected with complementary Wi-Fi and smart device charging docks in each room.

Is there any meeting space in the hotel?

Yes, The properties offer 11,300+ square feet of meeting space. With the hotel's central location in the heart of San Diego - perfect for extended-stay business travelers. We are within close proximity to San Diego Airport and San Diego Convention Center. Rooms with a view... the meeting space includes the Ted Williams Room and Bay View Terrace that overlooks the U.S.S. Midway, while also presenting panoramic views of San Diego Bay from the Coronado Bridge to Point Loma, and can accommodate up to 225. Each of the five meeting rooms is powered by fiber optics, allowing for an incredibly high amount of bandwidth and seamless connectivity to the internet. We used our 5th floor meeting space, and outdoor, Bayfront patio for the evening cocktail celebration for our grand opening event with more than 350 attendees and the space was absolutely beautiful. There are also opportunities for people to rent out our beautiful outdoor space on both the 4th and 5th floors of the hotel for social or business meetings. The property sits on the historic lane field, and the names of all of the meeting spaces are in memory of famous San Diego Padres such as Ted Williams, Max West, Luke Easter, George McDonald and Jack Graham. More information for the meeting space can be found on our website.

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A very welcoming foyer invites guests to the new property

Can you tell our readers what the difference is between the SpringHill Suites and the Residence Inn?

The SpringHill Suites hotel is comprised of spacious suites with kitchenettes, whereas the Residence Inn caters to extended stay travelers with stays of five nights or more and offers studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites, all with full kitchens. Residence Inn caters to the extended stay traveler, offering guests a more apartment like feel with amenities such as laundry, grocery delivery and pet friendly services. The great part about both hotels being under one roof is many of the amenities are shared, bringing larger than expected public spaces in a downtown location.

SpringHill Suites by Marriott®, the largest all suites style brand, introduces progressive design in the upper moderate-tier to meet the needs of the rapidly emerging next gen traveler. Fusing form and function with modern decor and comforts like great bedding, enhanced food and fitness options, the brand delivers a fresh, interesting and stylish hotel that provides the space business travelers need to relax and make travel more enjoyable. The SpringHill Suites prototype and Inspire decor present an option to ease new-build costs, increase operational efficiency and offer a design with a broad appeal across multiple markets. The lobby and guest suite continue to deliver a highly differentiated experience and solidify the brand's leadership in the upper-moderate tier.

With more than 700 locations, Residence Inn created and defined the Extended Stay lodging category in North America. The brand recognizes the different needs of long stay guests, and is uniquely suited to serve this significant market segment. Approximately one third of all business travel room nights are part of an extended stay. At the same time, it's mix of suites types and strong value proportions make it appealing to family leisure travelers as well.

Hotels offer spacious suites that are designed for longer stays with separate living and sleeping areas so you can work and relax. From fully equipped kitchens and grocery delivery to complimentary hot breakfast and free Wi-Fi, guests will have everything they need to thrive on the road. With continued growth in Central America, Europe, and the Middle East, Residence Inn is poised to extend its leadership globally.

Marriott operates 19 brands today, the SpringHill Suites brand is one of the smaller brands in the Marriott portfolio (344 hotels at time of writing), does the brand have aggressive growth plans?

SpringHill Suites is a small, but mighty brand and is growing quickly! As of today we have 350 hotels open, but what's really remarkable is that have more than 130 new builds in the pipeline. With the brand being an ideal location for both business and leisure travelers, we are growing very quickly in key markets along both the east and west coast, and also in Canada. We will be adding our second property in Manhattan in the next year or so. We also have new builds planned for San Francisco, Las Vegas, Dallas, Orlando, Austin, Denver, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, New Orleans, and many more exciting cities over the next year. The future of SpringHill Suites is bright, and we look forward to continuing to exceed the expectations of both our guests and our sister brands within the Marriott portfolio.

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