Marriott Hotels debuts - healthy vending machine
Tuesday 9, September 2014
Marriott Hotels begins feeding travelers' hunger for healthy food on the road whenever they want it – 24/7
Marriott Hotels, the flagship brand of Marriott International, Inc, today launched its first traveler-inspired innovation – a healthy vending machine, featuring handcrafted salads, sandwiches and snacks made fresh everyday using local ingredients. The working prototype debuts in the lobby of the Chicago Marriott O'Hare, offering travelers healthy food options available all day and night during their journey. The innovation was inspired by Anjana Kallarackal, a 21-year old college student, who answered the call to join Marriott Hotels in co-creating the future of travel as part of its Travel Brilliantly campaign.
In looking to bring Anjana's idea to life, Marriott Hotels reached out to Chicago start-up Farmer's Fridge, which has taken an innovative approach to making healthy, delicious food easier to access. The company's kiosk, one of 12 in Chicago area, will be located in the Chicago Marriott O'Hare for the next five months for testing with guests. Items curated and prepared daily by Farmer's Fridge will be offered for sale in distinctive packaging, ranging in price from $3 to $12 dollars and include:
"Listening and responding to customer needs is a hallmark for Marriott Hotels. We are committed to introducing the most innovative ideas our guests and influencers have been submitting to TravelBrilliantly.com as part of the brand's journey to co-create the future of travel," said Michael Dail, vice president, Marriott Hotels Marketing. "Anjana's idea inspired us, and thanks to Farmer's Fridge, guests can now begin enjoying healthy food whenever they want it. Coming soon, Marriott Hotels will launch even more co-created travel ideas submitted to TravelBrilliantly.com by guests."
"It is an honor for Farmer's Fridge to partner with a company as innovative as Marriott Hotels that recognizes the need for healthy meal options among travelers," said Luke Saunders, founder of Farmer's Fridge. "I founded Farmer's Fridge because I used to spend 75 percent of my time on-the-road for work and was personally frustrated by the lack of convenient, healthy food available. Now it has come full circle, with this new partnership giving travelers access to fresh, nutritious food on-the-go through our revolutionary kiosks."
In little more a year, nearly 2,500 ideas have been submitted to TravelBrilliantly.com. This month, the brand is asking consumers for their best ideas in taking loyalty programs to next level. In October, the brand wants ideas for how it can support guests as they try to stay healthy and balanced on the road and in November, the brand will solicit ideas for its Greatroom lobbies.
Recently, Marriott Hotels evolved TravelBrilliantly.com by asking guests to help Marriott Hotels shape innovative ideas and concepts that are closer to being rolled out. The brand is working on offering a mix of amenities in a box that guests could purchase at check-in. Visitors to TravelBrilliantly.com can vote for their favorite amenities from a list under consideration or suggest their own ideas for the perfect amenities.
Plan your trips with the help of great resources
More and more travellers think that researching and planning a European city break is half the fun and they're not interested in pre-arranged trips or escorted tours. Self-guided tours offer a lot of advantages but require some guidance and good resources.
Top 10 most environmentally pure countries
With the recent wild fires, disrupting flights and increasing air pollution, environmental quality is a growing factor in attracting tourists.
Top 15 most spectacular hotel rooftop views
The hotel price comparison site www.trivago.co.uk has put together a list of the fifteen most spectacular hotel rooftop terraces in the world.
Latest offers, discounts and more...