JW Marriott Announces Collaborations With Leading Brands Including Alo to Offer Full Program of Inspiring Mindfulness Experiences at Gather by JW

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Sep 12, 2019, 11:00 ET

BETHESDA, Md., Sept. 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- This September, JW Marriott will host Gather by JW, the second annual food & wine festival at JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa on the Venetian archipelago of Isola delle Rose. In collaboration with FOOD & WINE Magazine, the festival will take over the hotel and island from September 26 – 29 for three days of unrivaled food, wine, and well-being experiences led by a star-studded roster of chefs alongside the world's leading mindfulness experts and practitioners.

JW Marriott is passionate about providing guests unique opportunities to be present and enrich the body, mind and spirit through meaningful experiences. From cutting-edge well-being offerings and mindful moments to intimate chef cooking classes and experiential dinners, Gather by JW is designed to offer engaging opportunities to explore the connection between food and well-being.

"Coming together with loved ones to enjoy amazing food and drinks not only nourishes the body, but also feeds the soul, offering a sense of comfort and a feeling that all is well," said Mitzi Gaskins, Global Brand Leader of JW Marriott. "This year at Gather by JW, we are thrilled to collaborate with innovative well-being brands to ensure our guests are fully present and able to enjoy every moment of the festival."

Mindfulness is infused through all elements of the festival, from the first moment guests step onto the serene private island of Isola delle Rose in Venice. Gather by JW will open with a Warm Welcome – a group Mindful Moment led by experts from Alo, the Los Angeles-based wellness brand that specializes in studio-to-street activewear with a mission to share mindful movement and the transformative, healing power of yoga with the world. Designed with tranquility in mind and inspired by the simple beauty of nature, the communal moment will encourage all festival attendees to come together to pause, re-center, and start their Gather by JW experience refreshed.

Located in the heart of Gather by JW's Festival Square, JW Marriott has created an outdoor JW Mindfulness House and an indoor quiet space, dubbed The Hideaway. At the JW Mindfulness House, guests can experience a sampling of well-being offerings by Alo and others, collect maps of mindfulness experiences across the island such as the JW Secret Spots, blend their own curated tonics at The Elements Adaptogen Bar, and arrange for bicycles to explore the natural beauty of Isola delle Rose.

ALO

In addition to leading the communal Mindful Moment that will open Gather by JW and allow guests to set their intentions for the rest of their experience, Alo has developed a dynamic program of well-being activities available in the JW Mindfulness House. Alo – which stands for Air Land Ocean – has become a cult-favorite among yogis and celebrities alike for their holistic approach to active wear, combining unparalleled fabric technology, fashion-forward design, and a focus on making mindful movement a greater part of a life lived consciously. Alo has a network of experts, practitioners and teachers known as OM-bassadors that help to inspire wellness and create community with master classes, workshops, and restorative sessions. Alo OM-bassadors will be on hand in Venice to guide guests through a selection of specially-curated experiences, including:

Yoga Sessions – for guests looking to strengthen the mind-body connection, Alo's OM-bassadors will lead rejuvenating yoga flows designed to help both beginners and experienced yogis.
Movement and breathing exercises – throughout the festival, Alo will host stretch sessions, giving guests the opportunity to engage in light, mindful movements to bring awareness to the body and reconnect with their breath. These sessions will be easy, gentle, and accessible to everyone so guests can return to the festival open and energized.
Restorative Sound Bath Experience – Led by an expert sound healer from Alo, guests are invited to submerge themselves in sound for a soul-stirring experience leading to a deeper sense of calm.

MALA COLLECTIVE

Mala Collective, a group dedicated to inspiring mindful evolution through simple tools and practices, has created a Crystal Bar within the Mindfulness House, where guests will have the opportunity to tap into the vibrational energy of natural crystals to further enhance their meditation and mindfulness practices. Crystals are used to set intentions, clear spaces, and encourage grounding. Selecting from a menu of individually-chosen crystals, guests can experience the metaphysical restorative properties of these ancient minerals – from Fluorite for increasing intuition and transforming negative energy to the profoundly peaceful and tranquil energy of Amethyst.

At The Hideaway, Mala Collective has also created a space where guests may engage in meditation or quiet contemplation. Mala Collective has provided custom mediation using cushions as well as their name sake, malas - strings of beads and crystals used to count mantras in meditation. Mala Collective's unique pieces are handmade by female artisans throughout Asia, using traditional techniques. During mantra meditation, practitioners repeat mantras in order to free their mind and connect with an inner stillness. At Gather by JW, guests will be able to utilize sacred mala beads and mantras through simple yet powerful meditations, perfect for those beginning or deepening their mindfulness practice. When used in tandem, the healing energies created from the synergy of the crystals and the intentionality of mantra meditation result in an inspiring and revitalizing experience for both soul and body.

TUNE

Gather by JW will be one of the first opportunities for the public to experience tune, a revolutionary biotuning company that uses biofrequencies to switch the body to an optimal functional and emotional state. tune's mission is to unlock human potential through the science of sound, frequencies, and vibration to optimize our overall health and well-being.

The 15-minute process literally "tunes" the body and mind on a physiological level, facilitating presence, relaxation, and happiness. Attendees can book a tune session where they will relax on a custom-designed tuneBed and select one of the seven biofrequencies, ranging from energize to cleanse. These proprietary frequency compositions are designed to shift the body from a fight-or-flight state to a rest-and-recovery state during the immersive, sensory experience. After the session, the mind is clear, the body is relaxed, and guests feel like their best self, full of presence and flow, and ready to fully absorb the festival.

Additional exclusive well-being and mindfulness experiences offered at Gather by JW include:

Guests can join a guided yoga practice in the grounds of the JW Spa led by Michelin-starred chef and yogi, Emmanuel Stroobant, before refueling with his take on a thirst-quenching smoothie and a healthy breakfast.
The Elements Adaptogen Bar allows guests to harness the curative properties of adaptogens - superplants that help balance the body's stress levels for long-term wellness benefits. At the Adaptogen Bar, guests will able to create their own functional wellness tonics using a selection of Element's clinically-effective adaptogen master blends, including Vitality, Focus, Calm and Rest.
Throughout the Gather by JW experience, bicycles will be available for guests to enjoy and cycle around the beautiful Isola delle Rose. Guided by a special map, guests will be encouraged to explore unexpected moments across the island – JW Secret Spots surrounded by nature that offer an inspiring moment to pause and reflect.

For additional information on 'Gather by JW' or to purchase newly available day pass and event tickets, please visit www.gatherbyjw.com.

About JW Marriott

JW Marriott is part of Marriott International's luxury portfolio of brands and consists of beautiful properties and distinctive resort locations around the world. The impressive array of award-winning hotels cater to sophisticated, mindful travelers seeking The JW Treatment™ – the brand's philosophy that true luxury is created by people who are passionate about what they do. These experiences help guests to be fully present, foster connections and feed the soul. Inspired by the principles of mindfulness, JW Marriott is a haven designed to allow guests to focus on feeling whole – present in mind, nourished in body, and revitalized in spirit – through programs and offerings that encourage them to come together, act with intention and experience every moment to the fullest. Today there are over 85 JW Marriott hotels in more than 25 countries and territories. Visit JW Marriott online, and on Instagram and Facebook. JW Marriott is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy™, the new name of Marriott's travel program replacing Marriott Rewards®, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®(SPG). The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including earning points toward free hotel stays and nights toward Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com.

About JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa

Settled on its own private island in Venice, Isola delle Rose, just a quick ride to St. Mark's Square by complimentary shuttle service, JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa is the ultimate luxury experience for the most discerning traveler. The combination of wide and lush green areas, a refined restoration by award-winning architect Matteo Thun, together with an attentive service and the finest wellness and dining experiences makes Isola delle Rose a serene retreat from where you can easily explore the beauties of Venice and at the same time indulge in the luxury of a resort. Opened in 2015, the Resort features 266 rooms and refined suites, 4 restaurants – including the fine dining restaurant Fiola at Dopolavoro Venezia, by Michelin-starred Chef Fabio Trabocchi – and 4 bars offering international and local cuisine, the largest Spa in Venice, a Church, kids club and family activities, water sports, a rooftop lounge area with pool and view over Venice, lush green areas, and Sapori Cooking Academy for gastronomes looking to experience the authentic Venetian lifestyle and atmosphere. Visit JW Marriott Venice online, and on Instagram and Facebook.

SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.