According to Marriott, “The multi functional open plan scheme is designed to reflect modern lifestyles acknowledging that customer requirements and the way people work have changed.”

Already implemented at 50 hotels worldwide, Marriott is planning to introduce the new style of lobby at all of its full service hotels by 2012.

At Portsmouth separate zones are defined by different seating, tables and colours all designed in a sleek modern style.

Zones featured include:

•    The individual zone for guests to relax, read, enjoy a coffee or a light snack
•    The social zone, centred around the bar and restaurant
•    The guest service zone, where customers can check-in

Wireless connections in the lobby enable customers to connect to the Internet and plug laptops into electrical sockets concealed near seating areas.

Portsmouth is the first Marriott in the UK to get the modern new ‘greatroom’ design following the completion of its £4 million refurbishment programme.

The refurbishment has included the launch of the new Sealevel Restaurant and Lounge, specialising in fresh seafood dishes and a selection of steaks from the grill. Ten meeting rooms, the leisure club, plus 173 bedrooms at the hotel have all benefited from a smart new look.

“As far as the UK is concerned we are pioneers of the new design. It gives us a flexibility that we did not have before. We can cater for business people holding informal meetings, customers having a coffee after a work-out in the leisure club, or locals having a drink in the bar,” says B J Schreuder, General Manager, Portsmouth Marriott.

www.portsmouthmarriott.co.uk