A Nod To The Past, A Vision For The Future -- Marriott Celebrates The Grand Opening Of Its 4,000th Hotel -- The Marriott Marquis Washington, DC

WASHINGTON, June 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.
[Note: For more images from the grand opening events, visit http://postspots.com/d/j/900118986c.]

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 4,000^th 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."

Upon 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."

The 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.

Marriott Marquis Washington, DC opened May 1, 2014 with 1,175 rooms, which includes 49 suites, and over 105,000 square feet of function space, including a 30,600 square-foot Marquis Ballroom and two 10,800 square-foot ballrooms. Marriott Marquis Washington, DC is conveniently located next door to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center–and connected via an underground concourse. An epicenter of downtown DC, the hotel has transformed its neighborhood and introduced a new, exciting venue for local social gatherings, business travelers and meetings and conventions. The property features a grand atrium lobby with a 56-foot sculpture, a state-of-the-art bi-level fitness center, and five ground-floor dining outlets. The hotel's design is innovative, incorporating the site's original historic Samuel Gompers AFL-CIO headquarters and designed to earn LEED® Silver accreditations (one of the largest hotels in the country to earn this eco-friendly distinction). For more information on Marriott Marquis Washington, DC please visit www.dcmarquis.com and follow the hotel on Facebook (Facebook.com/MarriottMarquisWashington) and Twitter (@MHMarquisWDC).

About Marriott Hotels

With over 500 hotels and resorts in nearly 50 countries and territories around the world, Marriott Hotels is evolving travel through every aspect of the guest's stay, enabling the next generation to Travel Brilliantly. Boldly transforming itself for mobile and global travelers who blend work and play, Marriott leads the industry with innovations, including the Greatroom Lobby, Future of Meetings and Mobile Guest Services that elevates style & design and technology. All Marriott hotels participate in the award winning Marriott Rewards frequent travel program that allows members to earn hotel points or airline miles for every dollar spent during each stay. For more information, visit www.MarriottHotels.com to join the ongoing Marriott conversation, like us on Facebook (Facebook.com/Marriott) and follow us on Twitter (Twitter.com/Marriott, @Marriott).

Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com

SOURCE Marriott International