A Chef's Garden

It was around six years ago when I first saw chef Melissa Kelly's garden just outside her Primo restaurant at the JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes. The garden is chef Melissa's tribute to her grandfather who was a butcher. This commitment to local farming is evident in the freshness of food served at Primo. It was this project that inspired me to create our own chef's garden at the JW Marriott Grand Rapids.

JW Marriott Chicago Shines in the Spotlight

If hosting an event for hotel general managers is scary, try hosting one for JW Marriott, Ritz Carlton, Edition, Renaissance and Marriott hotels and resorts GM's. Well, the JW Marriott Chicago had no problem with that task by putting on quite a reception to open the three-day conference. Elaborate food action stations, cozy lounge seating, booming music and dramatic lighting set the stage for what is already a successful conference. More WOW moments are expected as each meal and breakouts garner accolades from this discriminating group of hoteliers.

JW Marriott Grand Rapids Honored for Best Customer Service

JW Marriott General Manager, George Aquino, receives the award for the hotel.

The JW Marriott Grand Rapids collected its 2010 Marriott International excellence in customer service award today at the Marriott Western Region's General Manager's conference in Chicago. Marriott's Guest Satisfaction Survey or GSS, measures the overall performance of each hotel in every area of operations from arrival & departure, check-in, food and beverage, amenities, room cleanliness and service execution. Only the top 2.5% of all full service JW Marriott, Renaissance and full service Marriott's make up this elite group of hotels in the United States and Canada. Five hotels out

of the Western Region (From Hawaii to the Midwest and Canada) were given this honor.

The JW Marriott Grand Rapids finished number one among all the JW Marriott brands in the country; its second out of its short three-year history (the hotel finished 2nd in 2009). 

A special recognition goes to Joel Berghorst, Assistant Rooms Manager, the hotel's designated GSS champion. His leadership has kept the hotel associates focused on the goal of being the best in the country. Most of all, this award is dedicated to every associate of the JW Marriott Grand Rapids for their commitment to being the best. Thank you.

JW Marriott Hong Kong: The Best Noodle Bar in Asia

A JW Marriott Hong Kong chef cooks fresh noodles in steaming pots of broth

I love noodle bars. Usually the dive-types where one has to trek through an obstacle of narrow alleys, rows of mom and pop stores and walking past a herd of men smoking the local cigarettes while peering residents observe the strangers through cubby hole windows. Not exactly the most elegant of passageways, but the experience certainly creates a build up for the most amazing bowls of hot stock with fresh cut noodles.

And then, there's the Noodle Bar at the JW Marriott Hong Kong. A striking contrast from the standard fare nestled in the lobby of the JW, with striking views of Central. My sister Haj, a resident of Hong Kong, is responsible for

introducing me to this mecca of noodle "joints." She and her tai-tai friends gather here every Friday to indulge in the best noodle cornucopia known to man. That's definitely how I felt during my first encounter.

The set-up is simple, yet quite elaborate. Grab a bowl and fill it with the bar's vast selection of fillings: fresh mussels and shrimp, exotic mushrooms, seaweed, an array of vegetables, and of course, a dizzying variety of noodles. You hand it over to one of the chefs who would dunk the items you selected in these steaming pots of broth. You would then walk over to the condiment station and settle on your choice of seasonings and sauce to accompany your bowl of Asian delight.

If that isn't enough, a Western style salad bar serves as an additional option. Just like the noodle bar, the JW Marriott offers a selection like no other. A chef tosses your salad selection in this rotating wooden bowl which is entertainment in itself. And yes, don't forget the dessert station.

Hong Kong abounds with excellent noodle bars in every corner. However, the JW Marriott Hong Kong elevates this culinary experience to new heights. If you only have one dining option during your short layover in Hong Kong, a bowl of noodles at the JW will surely hit the spot. 

I couldn't resist...it happens even to the best

My sister Haj and I at the noodle bar lounge

In a New York State of Mind

View from the 35th floor Lobby Lounge of the Mandarin Oriental new York

Read my article in the Grand Rapids Press Travel Section today by clicking here.

Pachanga Latina Lights Up Grand Rapids

There are several things that make these Pachanga events at the JW so addicting. First, you can guarantee a great turnout with several hundred on hand last night inside the International Ballroom. Second, the music by Grupo Aye, arguably the best latin band in the midwest, is electrifying. On this evening, another local latin band, Akaray, opened for Grupo Aye to show support of latin music in the area. The JW also added DJ Angel Gee to the mix to help spice things

up. Third, there is no question that people come here to dance. Dancing takes center stage and with the help of Salsalogy Dance Academy and their students, Pachanga Latina, like all other Pachanga's, was simply amazing.

Gabriella de la Vega of WYCE, was the evening's emcee. Cuban artist, Angel Lopez Manes, added another creative touch to the event by displaying three of his oil paintings inspired by his Cuban roots.

However, my favorite part of these Pachanga parties is how a diverse set of cultures - Cuban, Puerto Rican, Dominican, Mexican, Asian, European, American - all blend together for one night to celebrate music and dance. You can see it in everyone's facial expressions and joyous movements on the dance floor. If you find a common ground between cultures, the outcome is almost guaranteed to result into something truly amazing. 

Go to the JW Marriott Grand Rapids facebook page and "like" the hotel by clicking here. By doing so, you can be first to find out when the next Pachanga party is. It is also the JW's goal to start a Grand Rapids Salsa Congress. The more support the hotel gets, the better.