‘Wellness Week’ Celebrates Health, Happiness and Team Spirit
M&R’s first-ever “Wellness Week,” held across all properties last month, celebrated health, happiness and team spirit and brought employees together through activities focused on movement, mindfulness and community.
Wellness Week kicked off on Aug. 25, with an inspirational video followed by the highly anticipated “Step Challenge,” which ran through Friday afternoon. Employees across locations tracked their steps, competing for the highest total. For those without personal tracking devices, clip-on pedometers were provided.
The day also featured the launch of a heartfelt “Thank You” wall, where team members shared messages of appreciation with colleagues. That afternoon, a relaxing yoga session took place at the Fairfield by Marriott New York Manhattan/Central Park, giving participants a chance to reset and recharge.
The next day, employees got moving with neighborhood walks that explored local historical sites. Many teams turned their daily meetings into walking meetings, blending activity with collaboration. Throughout the day, healthy snack and smoothie stations offered refreshing options to keep everyone energized.
Wednesday focused on relaxation and wellness, with massage sessions held at the Springhill Suites New York Manhattan Times Square, where 30 employees enjoyed peaceful, restorative breaks. The popular snack and smoothie stations continued to support healthy habits. Thursday brought massages to Comfort Inn JFK Airport, where 24 spots were available over a four-hour period. Employees enjoyed nutrient-rich snacks and smoothies that helped keep energy levels high as the week neared its end.
Wellness Week concluded on Friday with a celebration. Teams came together for a special “Eat Outside” lunch event, enjoying a BBQ or picnic provided by their hotels. An ice cream bar and truck added a sweet note to the day. A final yoga session took place at Hotel Alameda High Line, offering one last opportunity to stretch and reflect. The week ended with the announcement of Step Challenge winners and a collective sense of accomplishment and community.
“This successful event was made possible by the dedicated efforts of the Wellness Committee,” said Mureka Walcott, M&R corporate director of People & Culture. “Special thanks to Sana Arshad, assistant general manager of the SpringHill Suites New York Manhattan Times Square; Patricia Soto, director of operations at Hotel Alameda High Line; Savi Singh, director of operations at the Best Western JFK Airport Hotel; and Roma Owsianowska, M&R regional manager of People & Culture, for their support and leadership.”
Through movement, mindfulness and meaningful connections, Wellness Week left a lasting impact—reminding everyone that small steps can lead to big results.
For more Wellness Week photos, see this month’s Photo Gallery.
