Marriott Hopes HDTV Will Lure Guests.(Marriott International Inc., high definition television)

High-definition display technology will serve as a real improvement to Hotel guests as Marriott International announced that hotels now have the option to install flat panel HDTVs in guest rooms and lounges. The company expects to roll out 50,000 sets made by LG Electronics over the next four years, primarily at full service JW Marriott, Marriott and Renaissance brands.

Among the first hotels to offer HDTV will be the Cleveland Downtown at Key Center and the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront. This move is the latest example of Marriots mission to enhance the guest experience across its portfolio of brands. Hotels undergoing renovations, as well as those under construction, will now have the option of installing digital HDTV in guest rooms.

Unique to Marriott brands will be the addition of a connectivity panel with the television. A desk-level panel offers amp[le power outlets to enable guests to connect laptops, PDAs and personal entertainment devices including DVD players, MP3 players, camcorders and video games into the television. Guests simply plug in their devices and the system does the setup automatically. The connectivity panel is ideal for business travelers but will also appeal to families who can enjoy their digitally recorded I mages and videos while still on vacation.

The HDTV and connectivity panel are built to Marriotts specifications and can perform dual functions simultaneously so guests can create their own experience away from home or office. As an example, guests who want to multitask will be able to split the HDTV screen to work on a presentation and check e-mail. Guests who like to mix relaxation and ...