Once you have flown in using cheap airplane tickets and are looking forward to your discount hotel rooms, do not look for a concierge desk or concierge inside any of Marriotts 140 Renaissance hotels. Theyre gone.
Instead if you want help finding anything in the city you just arrive in, look for a compass symbol and the word Navigator.
The Renaissance chain, in the process of becoming a more hip place to stay, has down away with concierge desk and the old fashioned concierge in favor of what it is calling the Navigator desk and Navigators who can share names of trendy restaurants or nightclubs that they have personally checked out.
Instead of standing at a formal concierge desk, guests now sit in front of an ornate office desk similar to ones found at Starwoods trendsetting W hotels. Guests will sink into a comfy chair and have a casual, hopefully relaxing and interesting, chat with one of the hotels newly trained Navigators.
These Navigators may be one of the hotels former concierges, or someone interested in doubling as a Navigator, such as a front desk clerk or restaurant manager. Navigators are chosen for their deep knowledge of the city their hotel is located in.
Restaurant or shopping recommendations will not be based on which ones the hotel has a relationship with. Instead recommendations will be based on Navigators personal experience, knowledge and research.
Renaissance hopes its guests will welcome and be happy about learning local hot spots.
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