Washington, DC., – June 11, 2014 – Marking a milestone in the city where it all began, Marriott Hotels, the flagship brand of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) officially celebrated the highly anticipated grand opening of the company’s 4,000th hotel – the Marriott Marquis Washington, DC.
The day kicked off with the official dedication led by J.W. Marriott, Jr., executive chairman, along with city officials and other dignitaries who helped welcome the 1,175-room hotel to the company and city. The hotel is located not far from where founders J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott opened a nine seat A&W Root Beer stand 87 years ago. In a salute to the company’s origins, the ceremony featured a root beer toast and a performance by the Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir. Members of the Marriott family also surprised Mr. Marriott by unveiling a plaque on the mezzanine level that reads, “Honoring J.W. “Bill” Marriott, Jr. for His Exemplary Leadership and Commitment to ‘Put People First’- Dedicated at the Grand Opening of the Marriott Marquis Washington, DC, June 10, 2014”.
“It is fitting that our 4,000th hotel is located here in our nation’s capital, because it is the birthplace of our company and represents the future of the Marriott Hotels brand,” said, J.W. “Bill” Marriott, Jr. “The Marquis will also be an economic boost to the city, creating job and career opportunities for hundreds of District residents and attracting major meetings from around the world.”
Muralist Aniekan UdofiaUpon arriving for the evening reception, guests were given high-tech RFID bracelets, which allowed everyone to interact with elements of the party. Guests sipped different variations of the “DC Mule”, a new take on the classic Moscow Mule cocktail, and voted for their favorite. The winner – The Virgin-gin – will now be served at the hotel bar. Throughout the evening, guests also offered their own inspiration and co-created live with local DC muralist Aniekan Udofia, what it means to “Traveling Brilliantly in Washington, DC”.
DJ StylusThe evening featured a sampling of passed hors d’oeuvres emblematic of DC neighborhoods, including Shaw, Chinatown, Waterfront, Eastern Market, Adam’s Morgan. Guests were treated to a specialty bourbon bar featuring an array of cocktails curated by Jim Beam and inspired by the global locations of the nearly 500 properties in the Marriott Hotels’ brand. DC native DJ Stylus drove the pulse of party, spinning tunes throughout the evening with many a reflection of the city’s vibrant music culture. The event was punctuated with an exclusive and mesmerizing aerial ballet performance by Les Oiseaux Du Paradis.
The Marriott Marquis Washington, DC is the fifth Marquis property within Marriott Hotels’ portfolio and incorporates the brand’s newest innovations across technology, design, fitness, culinary and meetings to enable the next generation traveler to Travel Brilliantly.
