Chicago's First JW Marriott Hotel Opens In Historic Burnham Building

CHICAGO, Nov. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Occupying legendary Chicago architect Daniel Burnham's historic Continental & Commercial National Bank Building in Chicago's bustling financial district, the JW Marriott Chicago will open November 11, 2010. The hotel represents the first JW Marriott branded hotel to open in Chicago. JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts is a luxury brand within the Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) global family of brands.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100730/PH43519LOGO )

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100730/PH43519LOGO )

Featuring exquisite neoclassical design, the new JW Marriott Chicago hotel will offer travelers a one-of-a-kind authentic destination in Chicago's downtown Loop district. Occupying the first 12 floors of the former Continental & Commercial National Bank Building at 151 W. Adams St., the hotel -- part of a $396 million restoration spearheaded by architectural firm Lucien Lagrange & Associates -- will boast 610 well-appointed guestrooms including 29 corner suites and more than 44,000-square-feet of meeting space; 36 meeting rooms, a beautiful 8,500-square-foot Grand Ballroom and the awe-inspiring 6,000-square-foot Burnham Ballroom featuring the building's original domed ceiling.

"Make no little plans," Burnham once said, and the hotel's owners -- which include The Prime Group, Inc., a Chicago-based development firm, and a German-based investment syndicate -- took this to heart. In addition to spectacular meeting and function space, the property will feature a 20,000-square-foot world class spa and fitness center, VALEO; and two different dining options -- The Florentine, an Italian Steakhouse created by the BLT Restaurant Group, and a lounge serving more casual plates and sushi.  

"The JW Marriott Chicago will be a comprehensive urban destination offering guests exceptional luxury and convenience in the center of a vibrant city," says General Manager Catherine Mrowiec. "Our guests will find everything they need right on property including luxurious guestroom and business amenities, spa and fitness facilities, casual and upscale dining options, and retail shopping."

JW Marriott properties offer accomplished travelers a luxury travel experience with a distinct sense of place that appropriately reflects the genuine flavor of their surroundings. Guests will be impressed from the moment they step in from the bustling streets of downtown Chicago into the timeless, classical elegance of the hotel's lobby. The soothing color palette and abundance of marble and other natural materials blend to create a timeless design, making the space a welcoming haven of comfort and productivity.

Throughout the property, staff will provide every convenience guests desire without being in the way. Whether it is room service after a late flight, catering in a meeting room, the use of the 24-hour executive business and fitness centers, laundry and dry cleaning services seven days a week or housekeeping always being on call -- the hotel offers the highest level of personal service that guests deserve.

Guestrooms

JW Marriott Chicago's 610 guestrooms will offer luxurious amenities to start the day or top off the night such as in-room coffee/tea or nightly turndown service and headboards equipped with reading lights. Guests will find space to spread out whether in the 455-square-foot double/king rooms or the 960-square-foot luxury suites. All rooms have 10-foot ceilings with handcrafted crown molding and spacious bathrooms clad in Italian marble, featuring stand alone tubs; separate marble showers; expansive mirrors; terry bathrobes and world class toiletries.

Forty-two inch flat-panel high-definition televisions with full IPTV access through the Roomlinx system, Marriott "Plug In Panel" A/V stations and Wi-Fi capabilities are standard, and all guestrooms will offer a well-stocked honor bar. This is the first JW Marriott-branded hotel to feature a full IPTV system with a personal computer that allows each guest full access to the Internet for business use or to stream their favorite TV program or movie.

For guests desiring additional amenities or extra space, the hotel will offer an executive level and three well-appointed specialty suites.

Meeting Space

With more than 44,000-square-feet of flexible meeting space spanning three floors, the JW Marriott Chicago is set to become a meetings and events center in the heart of downtown Chicago.

For business, two spacious ballrooms -- 8,500-square-feet and 6,000-square-feet -- paired with 36 breakout rooms of varying sizes, including five boardrooms. Wireless high-speed Internet and videoconferencing capabilities will be available in all rooms.

In addition, a Virtual Meetings by Marriott system featuring Cisco TelePresence technology will enable small groups to meet with colleagues around the world in real time. Other notable features include the availability of green meeting packages and customizable menus for meetings and events.

For weddings and social events, the dazzling Burnham Ballroom offers 6,000-square-feet of continuous space with no pillars or airwalls, plus the domed-ceiling from the original bank building, makes it a truly unparalleled venue.

Spa & Fitness Center

VALEO, the JW Marriott 20,000-square-foot spa is a first-of-its-kind wellness center combining fitness facilities, traditional and non-traditional spa services and myriad personal care options to both guests and Chicagoans alike. VALEO -- the Latin meaning 'to be strong, powerful, well, influential' -- reflects not only the name but the entire purpose behind the space.

VALEO will focus on lifestyle portability, and in no place will this be more evident than its trademarked Clarity Chamber™ -- a modern approach based on ancient Greek and Roman bathing rituals or Turkish baths -- inside the stone-appointed space, guests enter an atmosphere of complete warmth, where heat radiates through a working fireplace, warm benches and a central marble "belly" stone. Visitors are invited to lie down to fully absorb the radiant heat.

VALEO's fitness center will feature all of the amenities expected from a world-class spa including cardio and circuit training equipment from Life Fitness and Hammersmith.

Attached to the fitness center, VALEO will feature a large pool for laps or casual bathing as well as the most therapeutic whirlpool in the Midwest. JW Marriott Chicago's whirlpool features multiple stations of 90-PSI water jets to massage various orthopedic positions from the lower back to the neck.

In addition to traditional therapeutic and Swedish massage therapy treatments, VALEO will offer its exclusive GEMASSAGE™ services featuring corresponding crushed gemstones and herbal energy oils tailored to particular needs. For those days when a quick manicure, pedicure or massage is needed VALEO will also offer a 3,000-square-foot street-level space located directly above the spa featuring  more than a dozen unique hair, nail, skin and massage services available in under 30 minutes.  A full array of exclusive products and merchandise will also be sold.

Fine Dining

The Florentine, the hotel's 125-seat three meal a day restaurant and the newest concept from internationally acclaimed BLT Restaurant Group, offers a seasonal and substantial menu of Italian-American fare with a distinct Chicago sensibility. Corporate Executive Chef Rodelio Aglibot and Executive Chef Todd Stein, of Sunda and mk fame respectively, showcase the top imported Italian pastas, cheeses, salts and meats as well as ingredients from local and organic farms.

Designed by DiLeonardo International, The Florentine will incorporate traditional materials in a modern way. Deep caramel-colored banquettes and walnut floors create a warm, lush interior without compromising clean design.  A palette of chocolate browns, offset by golden ambient lighting, suggests comfort and luxury. The airy front room is the perfect place for breakfast, lunch, or drinks and a light bite throughout the day.  An eye-catching 24-seat circular bar with bountiful antipasti display anchors the space.  In addition to the more formal 125-seat main dining room, the restaurant features a private dining room for up to 40 guests.

An adjacent, upscale bar will serve fine spirits and specialty beers as well as handcrafted fresh juice cocktails and an extensive list of wines from around the world.  For a more casual experience, the JW Marriott Chicago will offer a lobby lounge, catering to hotel guests and financial district business types alike. In all venues, menus will include a variety of light and healthy choices.

Individual room reservations will be available beginning November 11, 2010 with introductory rates from $179 - $329.

For more information on the JW Marriott, please call (312) 660-8200 or visit www.jwmarriottchicago.com. 

Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: 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.

About JW Marriott

JW Marriott is part of Marriott International's luxury portfolio and consists of beautiful properties in gateway cities and distinctive resort locations around the world. These elegant hotels cater to today's sophisticated, self-assured travelers, offering them the quiet luxury they seek in a warmly authentic, relaxed atmosphere lacking in pretense. JW Marriott properties artfully provide highly crafted, anticipatory experiences that are reflective of their locale so that their guests have the time to focus on what is most important to them. Currently, there are 46 JW Marriott hotels in 20 countries; by 2013 the portfolio has plans to encompass 73 properties in 28 countries.

About The Prime Group, Inc.

Founded in 1982 by its current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael W. Reschke, The Prime Group, Inc. (Prime) has become one of the preeminent development companies in the country. Over the last 28 years, Prime has successfully developed over $10 billion of institutional-quality commercial and residential real estate across all product types both domestically and internationally. The principals and executives of Prime have more than 150 years of combined real estate experience including investment, development, leasing, property management, and capital markets. In recent years, Prime has focused its development activities primarily in downtown Chicago. Prime's focus has been on high-quality development and redevelopment opportunities that leverage the company's "hand's on" management approach, development expertise and sophisticated financial structures to mediate risk and maximize returns.  

Photography Available.

SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.