Business View Caribbean | Volume 8, Issue 9

45 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 8, ISSUE 9 indoor space. Located on the lobby level, the hotel’s W XYZ® lounge/bar is where business meets fun – the perfect atmosphere to mingle over modern and traditional drinks. According to Nieves, “It becomes a working space during the day, and at night it’s where our food and beverage and experiences are carried out. We also have Re:fuel, our grab ‘n’ go pantry that’s open 24-7 and offers a delicious menu of sweet, savory, and healthy snacks. That’s another concept that became relevant with the pandemic. Originally, when I came to open the property, I thought the grab ‘n’ go concept was not going to be received well, and it’s proven to be extremely effective. People love the convenience of having the food to go; being able to order from their room, picking it up, and bringing it with them. But it’s also a safer approach to everything that we do as part of Marriott’s Commitment to Cleanliness protocols.” The Aloft brand is one of the distinctive lifestyle ALOFT SAN JUAN brands for Marriott. There are over 135 in the Americas but Aloft San Juan was the first to open in the Caribbean. The hotel officially opened on Feb. 10, 2020, remained open for two months, then had to close in April, and reopened in July. Nieves declares, “It was a very interesting first year, for sure. And there is a lot of pride among our employees – being able to tag themselves as being the first Aloft in the Caribbean. In Puerto Rico, itself, there is another Aloft that recently opened on the south shore.” The Aloft brand is focused on the self-expresser traveller, perceived to be geared towards millennials. “However,” says Nieves, “it’s proven that in Puerto Rico, given our location and that we are a pet-friendly hotel, we have been able to welcome a diverse group that includes families and business guests, and occupancy has been a really good combination since we opened. I always say it’s not only for the young in age, it’s the young at heart. It makes them feel younger when they’re intertwining themselves with the