As Manado Marriott Resort & Spa prepares to make its debut in North Sulawesi, the arrival of Marriott Hotels brings a new international address to Likupang, one of Indonesia’s designated Super Priority Tourism Destinations. Set along the region’s coastline, the 344-key resort is designed as a gateway to the marine biodiversity, natural landscapes and cultural heritage that define North Sulawesi.
At the helm of the upcoming opening is Oriol Màrquez, whose more than 25 years of hospitality experience span diverse leisure destinations and senior leadership roles across Thailand, Bali and Colombia. As General Manager, he is overseeing the resort’s final preparations while shaping its identity ahead of its anticipated opening later this year.
For Màrquez, Manado’s appeal extends beyond its celebrated marine landscape. He sees the destination as a place where nature, history and local traditions come together, giving it a character unlike other destinations in Indonesia. At Manado Marriott Resort & Spa, his vision is to bring Marriott Hotels’ international standards into harmony with the character of its surroundings, creating a sense of place that feels both globally assured and distinctly local.
In his exclusive interview with The Time Place Magazine, Oriol Màrquez reflects on what sets Manado apart, from its distinctive blend of cultures and rich natural surroundings to the challenge of bringing international hospitality standards together with the soul of Minahasan culture.
What unique aspects do you foresee in North Sulawesi, especially around the Likupang area, aside from its status as one of Indonesia’s Super Priority Tourism Destinations?
To start with, we have very few destinations in Indonesia that have such rich nature. We have a very good blend of culture. Keep in mind that the Spanish were there. I discovered that the Spanish were in Manila and they had a trading outpost in Manado.
So keep in mind that Manado has seen the Spanish, the Portuguese, the Dutch, the Minahasan people, and all of these cultures blended together. You get this unique mix that you can see in the Minahasan culture. You can see it in the cuisine, you can see it in the way that the Minahasan people are. I believe that it’s one of the reasons that sets Manado apart from all the destinations in Indonesia.
With Manado Marriott Resort & Spa being the first internationally branded beachfront resort in North Sulawesi, how do you see the balance between global brand standards and an authentic sense of place?
There is a very interesting marriage between what an international brand like Marriott brings, which obviously has a lot of experience in standards and setting processes, and that has to establish a lot of harmony with the local culture. So the fine balance is between the standards that international companies require, plus the soul of the Minahasan culture. I think that is what makes the hotel a fantastic proposition.
How will the resort position itself as an ideal base for different traveller segments, from leisure and family holidays to corporate retreats?
The hotel has been designed in a way that allows different kinds of guests to stay at the same time without bumping into each other. The hotel has 15 villas. That’s a fantastic destination for couples who want to have a retreat and a bit of discretion.
The hotel is also a fantastic spot for families. We have 28 sets of connecting rooms. That means 56 rooms are connected, so they are ideal for families. We also have a fantastic kids’ club, with wet areas outside, and we have an indoor facility as well.
How will you ensure that the resort’s diverse offerings align with the Marriott Hotels brand promise of heartfelt service and elevated beyond the everyday experiences?
As mentioned, we bring the organisation, the rules, the standards, the way we train people. But we will teach and train with the local people. So it is this good balance between the standards of the international brand and the local people that will make the hotel unique.
What are your immediate priorities in the final stages before the resort’s opening?
Manado is a remote area, so getting the materials there is not as easy as in other places. My priorities, first of all, are responsibility. That’s priority number one. The second one for me is to develop the hotel culture. We need to blend the skills, to blend the international skills with local skills. And then for me, the positioning of Manado is yet to do. Not all Indonesians know Manado, so what we want to do is to show the world what we have here. That would be another priority.
