MARRIOTT HOTELS, which in spite of its massive size, 2,500 hotels and getting on for half a million rooms, still likes to think of itself as a family firm, brought in JW Marriott jr to officially open the London Marriott Hotel Park Lane last week. Perhaps best described as a boutique property the hotel fronts Park Lane opposite Marble Arch (from which there is access) but is best approached via North Row, the main entrance. The five-star 157 bedroom property includes ”140 Park Lane” a 76-seat restaurant and a fully equipped health club featuring 12.5m swimming pool, steam room and fitness centre. The site is owned by Marylebone Warwick Balfour Group plc with whom Marriott has a 20 year operating and management agreement. Manager of the new property is Theresa Maw, seen in our photograph with "JW". http://www.marriott.com