But back to the point: I was told, just the other day, that our delightful Spa Luce was being written up in Cosmopolitan, one of my absolutely favorite magazines! I couldn’t wait to read it… Unfortunately, I was defeated by my own ignorance. I’ll let the picture do the explaining:

This is Cosmopolitan Hong Kong, which is in Chinese, so I can’t read a word of it. I assume every word in this article is true and kind, because, well, Spa Luce is fantastic. In fact, I’m going to assume there’s also a complimentary word or two in there about me. Why wouldn’t they, after all?

So, while I can’t read it, I would like to thank Cosmopolitan Hong Kong for such a glowing review (who’s going to say otherwise?), and also to CoolHunt (their website here) for setting it up. Thanks, people! Now, time to brush up on those dead languages; where’s my copy of the Dead Sea Scrolls?

This is Bruce, signing off.

First, I would like to welcome a new member to our Hollywood family: Dan Shaughnessy. He is our new Director of Sales & Marketing. While he’s new in Hollywood (sorry, ladies, he’s married), he’s a veteran in our industry, with over 20 years of experience in hospitality at hotels and resorts in Rancho Las Palmas, Phoenix, and Marina Del Rey. Most recently, he was Director of Sales for the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa.

Fun facts about Dan: his mother, Ilene Woods, was the voice of Cinderella in Disney’s classic 1950 film and his father, Ed, was the drummer on Johnny Carson’s The Tonight Show. A big show-biz background for our newest director… sounds like he’s going to be right at home in Hollywood after all. We just announced his appointment to the media, and I wanted to share this money quote:

“We’re very happy to add Dan to our team,” says General Manager Bruce Gorelick. “His wealth of experience will be a great addition to our current operation and his marketing and sales record really speaks for itself.”

What a dashing young man that Bruce is, even in print… So well-spoken, so articulate. Like a young Abe Lincoln, but more handsome and athletic. Anyhow, I wanted to congratulate Dan on his appointment. I really look forward to working with him.

Finally, I would like to extend hearty congratulations to our former Director of Sales & Marketing, the dear Chris Orr, who is moving on to Baltimore. Good luck, Chris! We’ll miss you!

The major problem here is that Michaela Pereira, the Fit to Fitter series, was on vacation. What’s wrong with these people? Don’t they understand the whole concept of vacation? To do nothing!

Michaela, who looks great by the way, takes a few days off and drops by the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa (good), only to bring along her 24 Hour Fitness trainer, Jenna (bad), and then they start doing exercises in the hotel room (aaaghhh!) The horror…

They demonstrate a number of exercises, each more confusing than the last. Honestly, I couldn’t possibly tell you what a “glut” is, and if my life reaches the point where a “supine bridge” is my only escape from certain death, just bring me a stiff drink and show me the door, thank you very much. However, if you’re interested in knowing how to keep fit on vacation, here’s the very “useful” clip, courtesy of KTLA:

While staying fit should not be ridiculed in any medium, even on a personal blog, I hope all you healthy people are happy. You’ve taken over vacations too. Go enjoy your Bicep Dips at the bathtub.  I’m going to be at the bar.

This is Bruce, signing off.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The preceeding post was an illogical rant from our General Manager. Take no heed.

From Clancy Dupepe, our Sales Coordinator :

Missing New Orleans
This is a true and real testimony by a young person that echoes the many generations of New Orleanians. This, and a number of other documentaries, speaks truth about the mystical and historical significance of the city as well as its irreplaceable charm and soul.

And Rick Spades, Market Director of Human Resources:

Aspiring to be American
A real portrayal of what others are aspiring for, it makes one realize that we take for granted what so many do not have.

Give Civil Liberties
No one should be denied what others are given. It’s 2008 and amazing to me that people are so judgmental and not living in today’s world.

The Struggle
People want to have a better life for themselves and their family. It’s sad to see how racial profiling effects our society and that the color of our skin automatically places you in a behavioral category.

And a few thoughts of my own:

Missing New Orleans
I was once the Resident Manager at the Marriott in New Orleans so I know the city well and I keep a standing fishing trip there each year, hitting up the brackish waters of the Mississippi Delta. As with everyone else in this country, my heart has been torn apart by the slow recovery in this wonderful, vibrant city after Hurricane Katrina.

I am Muslim
I was touched by this message from our fellow countrymen and women that are being treated differently since 9/11/2001.

Put some time aside and give these memorable films a watch. And please, leave us your own thoughts on the FYI Film Festival (link) on our message board below. We’d love to hear what you, dear audience, thinks.

This is Bruce, signing off.

Well, no, you haven’t, but that’s just because the new season is just about to begin on Food Network on January 24, 2008. Now, I’m not posting this just because I’m a huge reality TV fan (I am) or because I’m a huge fan of cakes (uh… yes!). No, I’m posting this because Chef Duff Goldman chose our hotel, the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel, as the place to create his Season 4 premiere masterpiece.

If you don’t know Ace of Cakes, basically the idea is that Chef Duff travels the country, creating incredible cakes in wild locations. His designs range from a tilted Dr. Seuss-like-seven-tiered-wedding cake to an almost perfect replica of Wrigley Field. For his Hollywood episode, our hotel was host. They filmed in, around, and outside the hotel and I can’t wait to see how we look.

Now I can’t tell you what the cake looks like, I can’t tell you what went into it, and I can’t tell you how it tasted, because all that would be a major spoiler for the episode. But I can say, without a doubt, you will be in for a huge surprise.

So, to paraphrase the immortal words of Marie Antoinette (that she never said actually, but it’s a nice story anyway), go eat some cake and make sure to tune in for Ace of Cakes on Food Network, January 24 at 9 PM. Now, I’m hungry, and I’m off to the kitchen…

Signing off,

Bruce

For an awesome family event, this one is sure to please, and is only a five minute walk from the hotel! Walt Disney Pictures presents Enchanted and Disney’s Enchanted Experience at El Capitan Theatre. This event includes the movie, then following an Enchanted Experience will take place with several fun activities. Save your ticket stub, as you can receive discounts for many of the stores at Hollywood & Highland!

Have fun and Happy Holidays!

A whole bunch of our employees showed their caring and compassionate spirits by biking, running, and walking in the 5th Annual Torch Relay for Children’s Miracle Network, raising money for this valuable charity that helps children’s hospitals nationwide. Employees from Marriott from all around the country participated in the coast-to-coast torch relay, beginning October 26th in Chicago, and ending right here in Los Angeles at the Hollywood & Highland Center.

To celebrate the occasion, we had on-hand the vibrant singer-violinist Antonio Pontarelli, who performed a few rousing rock ballads for an excited crowd before giving way to the speakers. We also met some of the kids who have benefited from the charity, putting a human face to what we’re all working for.

Unfortunately, Marie Osmond, whose family founded the charity with John Schneider, injured her ankle during dance practice and couldn’t attend. She sent in her stead her dance partner on Dancing With The Stars, Jonathan Roberts, who assured us all that Marie would be quite fine and gratefully accepted the check for $1 million on behalf of Children’s Miracle Network.

All in all, a lot of reasons to give thanks, and a great reminder of why it’s great to work with caring, good people.

Signing off, Bruce.

Happy Holidays!