JW Marriott Teams Up with Leading Luxury Brands

NEW YORK, June 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Marriott International's (NYSE: MAR) world-class luxury hotel brand, JW Marriott, is launching a collection of strategic partnerships with leading luxury brands in nutrition, culinary, art, culture, accessories and wellness.  Announced today in New York at Christie's, the strategic partnerships were developed as part of a global brand initiative to deliver a deeper luxury guest experience at JW Marriott hotels and resorts around the world.

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The new strategic partnerships were developed in response to extensive research that JW Marriott conducted on its business and leisure consumers.  The brand found that these accomplished, sophisticated travelers crave more than the typical luxury hotel.  The JW Marriott guest is looking for enriching luxury experiences in areas relevant to their lifestyles, including health & wellness and culinary and cultural trends.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with these luxury brands and hosting such a unique JW Marriott experience at Christie's Auction House," said Mitzi Gaskins, vice president of the JW Marriott brand. "We know that each partner plays a role in the travel experience of our guests and wanted to deepen the connection by enhancing their stay and speaking to their personal interests."

JW Marriott is developing long-term relationships with Christie's, Tumi, Keri Glassman, Aromatherapy Associates and Etude Wines, and borrowing from their expertise in ways that will engage the customer and enhance the brand experience.  While each partnership is unique, all will be represented on a "JW Marriott Panel of Experts," where they will offer fresh insights on the world of luxury and their own unique perspective on the JW Marriott guest. These experts will also provide exclusive content for the JW Marriott website and the soon-to-launch in-room JW Magazine.

The JW Magazine will be published quarterly and caters to the global interest of its sophisticated, well-traveled audience with stories that reflect their three greatest passions – culinary, culture and personal well-being.

Initial JW Marriott brand partners include:

Christie's  

Christie's is the World's Leading Art Business and JW Marriott is enlisting their cultural expertise.  Through exclusive content, exhibitions and "What Not To Miss Guides" at select JW Marriott properties worldwide, Christie's will offer guests a glimpse into worlds of art, auction and beyond.  Online and editorial content will provide unique insight on the art of collecting, the importance of provenance, how to purchase at an auction, and additional insightful information about the global art market.  Special exhibitions will kick-off in London at the Grosvenor House, A JW Marriott Hotel, on June 10, 2011 with an exclusive preview of unseen photographs of The Beatles from their first live concert in the U.S.  Additional exhibitions will take place in Chicago, Phoenix, Shanghai and Miami during Art Basel. "What Not To Miss Guides" will provide JW Marriott guests with information on Christie's favorite museums, galleries, restaurants, nightlife and shopping in cities worldwide including London, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Mumbai, Shanghai and Chicago.

Tumi

Tumi is recognized as the world's leading brand of premium travel, business and lifestyle accessories.  With such a robust intersection of JW Marriott and Tumi consumers, the partnership is a natural synergy.  Tumi will provide JW Marriott guests with a wealth of advice and original content relevant to jetsetters and frequent travelers, such as how to pack the perfect carry-on, streamlining your travel experience through proper storage, product previews and more.

Keri Glassman, Nutritious Life    

Keri Glassman, nationally recognized nutritionist, published author and founder of the O2 Diet, will serve as a member of JW Marriott's panel of experts.  Keri's Nutritious Life brand offers a new way of looking at nutrition, reaching beyond a good diet and taking a whole person approach to health and wellness.  Utilizing her "Pillars of a Nutritious Life" such as Drink Up, Eat Empowered, Stress Less, Sleep Deep and Pamper Thyself, Keri will provide JW Marriott guests with her expertise to sustain a healthy, balanced life while traveling. She will help guests stick to a diet while choosing from in-room menus, stay properly hydrated while flying, eat to stay energized, and more. 

Aromatherapy Associates  

Aromatherapy Associates has been at the forefront of aromatherapy for 30 years and is now bringing their passion and knowledge to JW Marriott.  Through expertly crafted, customized bathroom amenities, JW Marriott guests will reap the benefit of Aromatherapy Associates' dedication to harnessing the power of nature through essential oils for products that are as effective as they are luxurious.  Through original content, founder Geraldine Howard will advise frequent travelers on how aromatherapy can help lull them to sleep after a long day of meetings or perk them up in the morning before a flight.

Etude Winery    

The collaboration between JW Marriott and the boutique Etude Wines highlights an innovative, elegant and unique way in which customers can access and experience wine. . Guests will be privy to unique content on the life of a vine, the perspective of a winemaker, and how to properly choose, taste and enjoy the best wine for any occasion. The shared authenticity of both brands will be communicated by JW Marriot's life experts and the partners who take great pride in their craft.

For additional information on JW Marriott brand partners, please visit:
Christie's www.christies.com
Tumi www.tumi.com
Keri Glassman www.nutritiouslife.com
Aromatherapy Associates www.aromatherapyassociates.com
Etude Winery www.etudewines.com

About JW Marriott

JW Marriott is part of Marriott International's luxury portfolio and consists of exceptional properties in gateway cities and distinctive resort locations around the world. These elegant hotels and resorts 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 52 JW Marriott hotels in 22 countries; by 2014 the portfolio will encompass 76 properties in 28 countries.  

For additional information on Marriott International, Inc., please visit Marriott International, Inc. 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