Rumor has it that the Waterford Marriott will be changing flags to a Renaissance. Has anyone heard anything about this?

Upgraded reservations: Waterford prepares for new name, new look
By: Molly M. Fleming

OKLAHOMA CITY - Construction will begin this week on the re-branding of a prominent Oklahoma City hotel.

The Waterford Marriott, 6300 Waterford Blvd., will become the Waterford Renaissance, with the $7 million renovation work beginning Thursday and expected to wrap up by October, said Kerry Parker, spokeswoman for the Waterford Renaissance. A commercial building permit was filed July 2 by Greg Ward with Norman-based The McKinney Partnership Architects.

Rhode Island-based The Procaccianti Group purchased the property with two other hotels in 2003. At that time, TPG Chief Financial Officer Gregory D. Vickowski said the company believed it was an opportune time to buy because the country was at the bottom of the economic cycle.

The 197-room hotel was built in 1984 and is surrounded by a neighborhood in the city's northern corridor. The entire facility will be redone, including changing the bar and restaurant, Parker said. The eatery will be opened up to lead guests to the outdoor space near the pool. The restaurant will feature a chef-driven modern/American bar-type menu, capitalizing on local and seasonal ingredients.

Parker said the Renaissance's re-branding and renovation plan is to make the hotel into a destination for local residents and visitors.

"In an effort to distinguish itself from other Marriotts, there's an initiative that each hotel brings local experiences to guests, from live music to vendors from popular restaurants," she said. "It just depends on what's native, local and indigenous to the area."

Guest rooms will be renovated three floors at a time, with Maryland-based designer David Ashton creating an Oklahoma-driven look. The hotel offers nine floors, 8,000 square feet of total meeting space, 10 breakout rooms, and a seating capacity for 400 people in its largest area. The library will be renovated into a boardroom, Parker said. Financial details about the cost of the renovations were not available at press time.

Once the transformation is complete, people can expect to visit the hotel for weekly and monthly events that will be open to the public.

"Renovating this property is really giving people their hotel back," Parker said. "People do remember the Waterford fondly. It's an interesting market. It's definitely about time to reinvigorate the property."
HotelBrokerOne Chief Operating Officer Peter Holmes said the switch from Marriott to Renaissance is a lateral move, since it's in the same corporate family. But the change will help bring more meetings to the property.

"A lot of meeting planners seem to really like the Renaissance brand," Holmes said. "At times, it has a little bit better price point. I think (the re-branding) will help ultimately."

The Waterford is a full-service hotel, a property type that is hard to find in the city. Holmes said the property's food offerings, location and overall quality have helped make it successful and will keep it as a top hotel.

"It could be anything in the Marriott chain - from a JW Marriott to a Renaissance - and it would perform roughly the same," he said.

This is great news.

OKC needs more up-scale hotels and this project has been a little dated.

Sounds like the improvements will go a long way towards making the property more competitive at the upper end.

That's good to hear, it's too bad there isn't some sort of easy pedestrian access to Classen Curve or NH Plaza, unless you know you just wanted to jump the fence of the cemetery :)

That's good to hear, it's too bad there isn't some sort of easy pedestrian access to Classen Curve or NH Plaza, unless you know you just wanted to jump the fence of the cemetery :)

Those destinations are a mile away. I live in the area and would love sidewalks, but I doubt hotel guests will walk a mile to the Curve or the Plaza.

Those destinations are a mile away. I live in the area and would love sidewalks, but I doubt hotel guests will walk a mile to the Curve or the Plaza.

a mile? weenies ;)

HotelBrokerOne Chief Operating Officer Peter Holmes said the switch from Marriott to Renaissance is a lateral move, since it's in the same corporate family. But the change will help bring more meetings to the property.

"A lot of meeting planners seem to really like the Renaissance brand," Holmes said. "At times, it has a little bit better price point. I think (the re-branding) will help ultimately."

Is moving from Marriott to Renaissance truly a lateral move? I don't know the first thing about Marriott's branding, but Renaissance seems to be a step below Marriott. I don't know.

Is moving from Marriott to Renaissance truly a lateral move? I don't know the first thing about Marriott's branding, but Renaissance seems to be a step below Marriott. I don't know.

I agree with this. I believe Renaissance is slightly below a full-fledged Marriott.

I've always considered them to be lateral. Full fledged Marriott's are as low as a Category 3 for rewards members. The lowest you can find Renaissance are Category 4. Waterford is currently Category 4 and the downtown Renaissance is Category 5. OKC Ambassador is Category 6 btw, the Tulsa Ambassador is Category 5.

Marriott considers it as a "Lifestyles" brand, one step below luxury. Luxury is Ritz, Bulgari and JW Marriott. The Renaissance brand probably is more appropriate given the guests they expect to target through their reservation system. Others in Lifestyles is Edition, AC Hotels, Moxy and Autograph Collections hotels. Marriott and Delta are Signature


https://hotel-development.marriott.com/brands-dashboard/

Marriott operates 18 brands internationally.[36]

Signature brand[edit]
Marriott Hotels & Resorts
Delta Hotels

Luxury[edit]
Ritz-Carlton
BULGARI Hotels & Resorts
JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts
Renaissance Hotels

Lifestyle/collections[edit]
Autograph Collection Hotels
AC Hotels by Marriott
EDITION Hotels
MOXY Hotels

Destination entertainment[edit]
Gaylord Hotels
Marriott Vacation Club (MVC)

Select-service lodging[edit]
Courtyard by Marriott
Fairfield Inn by Marriott
SpringHill Suites by Marriott
Protea Hotels

Extended-stay lodging[edit]
Residence Inn by Marriott
TownePlace Suites by Marriott
Marriott Executive Apartments

Timeshare[edit]
Frenchman's Cove, USVI a Marriott Vacation Club resort
Marriott Grand Residence Club
The Residences at the Ritz-Carlton
The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club

Conference centers[edit]
Marriott Conference Centers

Very interesting about the Marriott levels, thanks for posting that. I know Ritz-Carlton still operates as a separate company. I believe it was St. Anthony that sent key people to the Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center and its customer (patient) service is tops in Oklahoma City now. That place is worth every dime in teaching customer service skills at another level, just as they offer at their hotels. Their willingness to share their "secrets" is even extended to other hoteliers and while clients are kept secret when requested, several rivals have supposedly attended. I know that Rackspace is a high-profile tech company that is known for super high-quality customer service, and sent their top people to RCLC. It's fascinating how some companies "get it" and others are almost deaf to even the most basic customer service.

I"m glad to see Marriott is putting a comprehensive effort into the Waterford. I'm no regular, but I think it's been a bit neglected.

My wife and I stayed there when we were married two decades ago, and we went back for a special 20th anniversary visit. While the experience was by no means *bad*, it wasn't particularly *special* - even after I'd mentioned the purpose of our visit. The front desk was understaffed, bell service was non-existent, and more than a few folks in line with us were getting a bit perturbed; things were just very "harried" and disorganized for a hotel that I certainly think aspires itself to be at a (much) higher level than your average Motel 6 or HI Express.

In contrast, I remember spending one evening at the Renaissance downtown - 10th anniversary as I recall - and the mere mention of that quite "en passant" led to a room upgrade on the corner (with a *fabulous* view of Myriad Gardens), along with a special snack/dessert tray brought up to our room at no extra charge as a "Happy Anniversary" treat. I didn't ask for *anything*, and the fact it was our anniversary was purely an incidental mention to the clerk. I was stunned.

(As an aside, I tried to rebook the Renaissance for our 20th, but it was loooong ahead booked up).

Anyway, all that aside to point out that I think the Waterford needs the upgrade and should become a fine place worthy of its heritage once they're done. Looking forward to it.

Yes, this was once regarded as a special place... I remember having a lavish company Christmas party there in the late 80's.

But it's largely been forgotten and has certainly not done much to keep up with the competition.

$7 million should go pretty far here.

Marriott operates 18 brands internationally.[36]

Signature brand[edit]
Marriott Hotels & Resorts
Delta Hotels

Luxury[edit]
Ritz-Carlton
BULGARI Hotels & Resorts
JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts
Renaissance Hotels

Lifestyle/collections[edit]
Autograph Collection Hotels
AC Hotels by Marriott
EDITION Hotels
MOXY Hotels

Destination entertainment[edit]
Gaylord Hotels
Marriott Vacation Club (MVC)

Select-service lodging[edit]
Courtyard by Marriott
Fairfield Inn by Marriott
SpringHill Suites by Marriott
Protea Hotels

Extended-stay lodging[edit]
Residence Inn by Marriott
TownePlace Suites by Marriott
Marriott Executive Apartments

Timeshare[edit]
Frenchman's Cove, USVI a Marriott Vacation Club resort
Marriott Grand Residence Club
The Residences at the Ritz-Carlton
The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club

Conference centers[edit]
Marriott Conference Centers

This list you post is from Wikipedia. The one I posted above is from Marriott how it regards its own brands. Marriott does not put Renaissance in its "Luxury" category, rather the "Lifestyle" category. In the industry it is not considered a "Luxury" brand either. But, it is well regarded and definitely one of their upscale brands.

This webpage (http://www.tpgrenovations.com/) has a picture of what the rooms will look like after the renovation.

^

Thanks for that.

Here is the 'after' room photo:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/waterford070815.jpg

This list you post is from Wikipedia. The one I posted above is from Marriott how it regards its own brands. Marriott does not put Renaissance in its "Luxury" category, rather the "Lifestyle" category. In the industry it is not considered a "Luxury" brand either. But, it is well regarded and definitely one of their upscale brands.

Does Marriott's official designation also have Fairfield Inn's in the same category as Courtyard? That really surprised me in NWOKCguy's list. Maybe Fairfield has changed a lot, but not that many years ago Courtyard was far nicer than a Fairfield.

Does Marriott's official designation also have Fairfield Inn's in the same category as Courtyard? That really surprised me in NWOKCguy's list. Maybe Fairfield has changed a lot, but not that many years ago Courtyard was far nicer than a Fairfield.

Yes, it is the same....Select Services (euphemism for "limited" services). That said, it is defined more by services than aesthetics. Many of the Courtyards are getting long in the tooth and may not be as nice as you remember.

Yes, it is the same....Select Services (euphemism for "limited" services). That said, it is defined more by services than aesthetics. Many of the Courtyards are getting long in the tooth and may not be as nice as you remember.

You are probably right, it's been awhile since I've been in a Courtyard. I remember when Marriott unveiled the Fairfield Inn they considered it a "budget alternative." I tried it out once someplace in Missouri and all I can remember was thin walls. But it's been a long time ago as well.

The new room décor looks very nice but I'm not sure I understand how that is an "Oklahoma-driven look".

The new room décor looks very nice but I'm not sure I understand how that is an "Oklahoma-driven look".

I see a tornado on the wall

I wonder if thisw could open the door for a new regular Marriott in the area of if this could encourage the old NW Marriott to do the needed upgrades to get the brand back?

I wonder if thisw could open the door for a new regular Marriott in the area of if this could encourage the old NW Marriott to do the needed upgrades to get the brand back?

That hotel won't do a further upgrade until a new brand is decided on. The type of upgrade required depends on which brand it will be.

I see a tornado on the wall

I thought that was a sandstorm. :)

Yes, it is the same....Select Services (euphemism for "limited" services). That said, it is defined more by services than aesthetics. Many of the Courtyards are getting long in the tooth and may not be as nice as you remember.

Yes - they're in the same designation but Fairfield are generally in the level 1 and level 2 for rewards members and courtyards are generally level 2 and 3. (In some cases they're as high a level 6).

Tavern turnaround: Relaunched Waterford restaurant could attract guests from outside hotel
By: Molly M. Fleming The Journal Record November 11, 2015

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/waterford111215.jpg

OKLAHOMA CITY – The first part of the renaissance at the Waterford Marriott is complete. The restaurant has been renovated and relaunched as Ember Modern American Tavern.

The name and branding are the work of Westminster, Colorado-based United Restaurant and Hospitality Consultants, founded by Jim Henning. He was hired by TPG Hospitality to update the space. The hotel will relaunch as the Waterford Renaissance in January.

Henning said his goal is to turn Ember into a good restaurant at a hotel, taking it away from the typical, bland hotel fare. He’s done similar work at eight venues in the last nine years.

One project was the renovation and reopening of the restaurant at the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel in North Carolina. Hotel General Manager Leon Cox had seen Henning and his company turn hotel restaurants into first-class eateries.

The Raleigh restaurant underwent a $1.1 million renovation, with Henning there checking and double-checking the update the whole time. It opened in August 2013 as Jimmy V’s Osteria and Bar, an Italian restaurant with brick-oven pizzas. It had $3.1 million in revenue the first year, the same amount in its second year, and is projected to bring in $3.2 million next year.

“Ninety percent of (our customers) come from outside the hotel,” Cox said. “(Henning) did an amazing job for us here.”

Henning said that bringing in outside customers is his goal for the Waterford’s restaurant, too, which underwent a $600,000 renovation.

But an updated space doesn’t make for a great restaurant. Henning visited the area to see what concept could fit in the hotel at 6300 Waterford Blvd., just off NW 63rd Street. He said he thought about a high-end steak restaurant; however, there are a lot already in the city. He said he didn’t want to do a Jimmy V’s because another Italian place, Bellini’s Ristorante, is across the parking lot.

His favorite venue in the city is Whiskey Cake, which has a strong local, house-made focus.

Henning said he started with the cocktail menu, with pre-Prohibition and Prohibition-era drinks. The rest of the menu includes American classics, such as a Kobe beef burger, slow-roasted chicken and a New York strip steak.

“We create truly, truly awesome food in a hotel environment,” he said. “Everything is very approachable. There’s nothing on the menu that someone is going to say, ‘I don’t know what that is.’”

Former Vast chef Gayland Toriello is the executive chef. He said he tweaked Henning’s proposed menu with his own touches, changing items such as how the salmon is presented and his own recipe for pork belly.

“We’re definitely trying to change people’s minds about (being a hotel restaurant),” Toriello said. “We’re trying to get people to come in that aren’t in the hotel.”

He said Ember makes all of its desserts, cornbread and even salad dressings in house. Local, fresh items will appear on the menu as well.

A restaurant in a hotel, with a fresh, handmade emphasis, could bring the word “expensive” to people’s minds. Henning said he calls the menu high-end, though his company’s goals are not to overcharge. Entrees come with a salad and side item, at prices ranging from $12 for a burger to $42 for a 12-ounce New York strip.

“We believe driving more revenues will make more money for us,” Henning said. “If we make the prices attractive, it will make the people feel like there is true value for what they’ve purchased.”

Ember is projected to make $1.8 million in its first year. It previously did $500,000 a year. The catering and event food will be overseen by Henning and Toriello as well. All banquet food is plated to order, rather than being prepared and sitting in a hot box.

“We put a lot into the food,” Henning said. “The marriage between the hotel guest and the locals – that’s where the value is.”

According to their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/WaterfordMarriott/, the Waterford Marriott will officially convert to a Renaissance on 1/20. Their Facebook page also has some pictures of the newly renovated lobby area.

Sidenote: I really like the exterior of that building.

The new room décor looks very nice but I'm not sure I understand how that is an "Oklahoma-driven look".

That's just fine. I think some companies go overboard with the Oklahoma look with red dirt earth tones and prairie grass etc. I'd rather just have a solid design instead of Oklahoma inspired or whatever.

Oklahoma City's Waterford Marriott rebrands overnight as Renaissance Hotel | News OK (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-citys-waterford-marriott-rebrands-overnight-as-renaissance-hotel/article/5473594)

Oklahoma City's Waterford Marriott rebrands overnight as Renaissance Hotel | News OK (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-citys-waterford-marriott-rebrands-overnight-as-renaissance-hotel/article/5473594)

That's a bump-up and hope it does well.