JW Marriott Marquis Dubai Announces New Hotel Manager, Balan Paravantavida

Dubai, UAE – 15th December 2014: the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai continues to strive under the leadership of General Manager Bill Keffer and newly appointed Hotel Manager, Balan Paravantavida.

Before assuming responsibility of the JW Marriott Marquis in Dubai, Balan had an impactful two and a half year term as the General Manager of the JW Marriott Hotel Aerocity, New Delhi; A LEED Gold 523 room property launched as the best new luxury hotel in India and Marriott’s first hotel in the dynamic, capital city of the country.

With over three decades of experience in handling pre-openings, conversions and takeovers of Marriott International hotels in six countries, across three continents, Balan brings in strong operational background and experience  in business, mega luxury convention and resort properties . He has spent over 10 years at the Marriott Marquis New York and handled over six leadership positions at this fast-paced luxury property.

Balan had the opportunity to convert Calgary Marriott Hotel as the Director of Food & Beverage in Calgary, Canada; Director of Food & Beverage at the Marriott Castle Harbor Resort – Bermuda, Bermuda; Director of Operations at the Aruba Marriott Resort & the Stellaris Casino & MVCI Aruba Ocean Club Resort, General Manager of the Aruba Ocean Club & Surf Club Resort, Aruba, Converted Princeton Marriott Hotel & Conference Centre, NJ and AGM/Resort Manager at the Marriott’s Doral Golf Resort & Spa, Miami before moving to the Marriott property in Pune, India as the opening General Manager. In his time, Balan has been honoured with many awards such as ‘Best Hotel Opening in Asia Pacific in 2010’ and ‘Leadership Excellence Award in 2011’.

Leading the hotel team of 1,450 associates and more than 70 nationalities, Balan is well placed to take on the position of Hotel Manager and leading the team to significant operational success. Owned by Emirates Group, Dubai’s first world-class convention and business destination hotel originally opened in November 2012 and was awarded World’s Tallest Hotel by the Guinness Book of Records shortly after for its considerable height of 355 metres.

Since opening the hotel won a total of 25 international industry and media awards for a combination of outstanding restaurants and lounges, architecture and design, and innovative business and convention facilities. Serving both the business and leisure traveller, the two towers offer 1,608 hotel suites and rooms, 9 diverse restaurants, 6 lounges, the world-class Saray Spa and 8,500 sqm of event space including two ballrooms. Located in the heart of Business Bay, minutes from Dubai World Trade Centre, the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre and close to Dubai International Airport, the JW Marriott Marquis resides in a prime location and is iconic in the Business Bay skyline.

About JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts

JW Marriott is part of Marriott International’s luxury portfolio and consists of beautiful properties in gateway cities and distinctive resort locations around the world. These elegant hotels cater to today’s sophisticated, self-assured travelers, offering them the quiet luxury they seek in a warmly authentic, relaxed atmosphere lacking in pretense. JW Marriott properties artfully provide highly crafted, anticipatory experiences that are reflective of their locale so that their guests have the time to focus on what is most important to them. Currently, there are 64 JW Marriott hotels in 26 countries; by 2016 the portfolio is expected to encompass more than 92 properties over 36 countries. Visit us online, jwmarriott.com, @jwmarriott and facebook.com/JWMarriott

The “Marquis” designation is reserved for select downtown properties that offer the highest level of comfort, technology, personal service, meeting facilities, privacy and world-class amenities.

Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.