MCLEAN, VA—Conrad Hotels & Resorts has launched Stay Inspired, a global, brand-wide initiative that marks a cultural shift in hospitality and overhauls the way the brand trains its team members as storytellers of their destinations, according to the company.
At each one of its 24 global properties, Conrad now offers guests who seek out inspired experiences a more customized and curated collection of one, three, and five-hour experiences available through the Conrad Concierge mobile app and at StayInspired.com.
Leading the initiative is Nilou Motamed, the luxury brand’s first-ever director of inspiration, who is responsible for developing and implementing the Stay Inspired vision and what it means for travelers. Motamed joins Conrad having previously served as editor-in-chief of Condé Nast’s digital food brand, Epicurious, and features director and senior correspondent for Travel + Leisure.
As director of inspiration, Motamed has traveled to Conrad properties worldwide to create the initial series of Stay Inspired experiences. Each Conrad recommendation reflects an inspired view into each destination covering food, shopping, art and design, culture, family and adventure.
“Today’s luxury traveler wants to discover destinations where they can be truly inspired. So we are shifting how not only our concierges communicate and connect with our guests, but all of our team members,” said John T.A. Vanderslice, global head, Conrad Hotels & Resorts. “Through our partnership with Nilou, we have trained our team members and empowered them to make thoughtful recommendations within our destinations, stepping away from the standard transactional relationship between a concierge and a guest. We now have become more like storytellers.”
StayInspired.com, accessible via mobile device through the Conrad Concierge mobile app, offers travelers the ability to browse activities in one-, three-, and five-hour itineraries, or by interests. Using StayInspired.com, travelers can save and share their Conrad itineraries, access custom content in the form of photos, videos and maps, or book a room and an experience through the hotel’s concierge. On property, concierges will be equipped with tablet devices to guide guests through the itineraries.
“Guests want to use whatever free time they have while traveling to discover something new. They want to find those hidden gems that are off the beaten path and that can’t be found in the pages of a guidebook,” said Motamed. “This collection called the Conrad 1/3/5 curates content and experiences in a way that aligns with the way our guests live their lives.”