Sign of the Times: JW Marriott Essex House Celebrates Opening With Night of Iconic Luxury

NEW YORK, April 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts officially celebrates its newly acquired landmark luxury hotel today in Manhattan – the JW Marriott Essex House New York. The evening will bring together an array of Marriott VIPs, including Marriott International's President & CEO Arne Sorenson, and showcase a variety of activations from brand partners including Christie's, Jane Packer, and Aromatherapy Associates.

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With 60 properties in 24 countries and an additional 20 expected to open by 2015, the JW Marriott luxury brand is growing rapidly, bringing a fresh perspective to the luxury travel industry worldwide.  The grand opening of the JW Marriott Essex House comes on the heels of the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, which debuted in February 2013 as the world's tallest hotel.  The exceptional hotel is the brand's first Marquis property outside of North America.

With a coveted address on Central Park South and an inimitable Art Deco sign atop the 40-story hotel, the 509-room JW Marriott Essex House first opened in 1931 and has hosted a wide range of dignitaries and celebrities alike over the years. Today, the hotel features world-class amenities including a full-service spa and fitness center, a fine-dining restaurant and well-appointed meeting and event spaces. The 509 guestrooms offer stylish furnishings that celebrate the property's rich history while offering guests all the comforts of a high-end hotel.

"The Essex House is JW Marriott's first location in New York, an important destination in the hospitality and travel industry and an ideal fit for the brand's portfolio of luxury properties," said Arne Sorenson. "Our newly-established presence in New York is a testament to our ever-expanding collection of world-class hotels and resorts and speaks to the continued success that lies ahead for the JW Marriott brand."

In partnership with Christie's, JW Marriott will debut an exhibition inspired by the unmistakable Essex House sign illuminating the New York City skyline since the 1930's. Four original works by emerging artists including Mat Larkin, Julian Wellisz, Jack Shannon and Lindsay Keys, will be featured at the JW Marriott Essex House at part of the grand opening celebration and will be on display in the lobby through October.  

The installation will be the first in a series of art exhibitions at JW Marriott Essex House celebrating the work of emerging artists.  As part of its global partnership with Christie's, JW Marriott properties worldwide host public exhibitions and previews of major Christie's auctions, featuring original, rare, archived or indigenous art.

"We are thrilled to open the JW Marriott Essex House with an unforgettable celebration that speaks to our continued focus on enriching the guest experience through our brand partners," said Mitzi Gaskins, Vice President and Global Brand Manager for JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts. "As our domestic and international presence grows, JW Marriott brings an undeniably authentic travel experience to travelers worldwide through the brand's distinctive style of approachable luxury."

Guests can truly experience a night of luxury at the JW Marriott Essex House with additional partnership activations, including a soaring flower arrangement depicting the iconic Essex House sign as imagined by Jane Packer, one of the world's foremost artistic floral company's with outposts in New York, London and Tokyo, along with the availability of Aromatherapy Associates products, whose expertly crafted and customized bathroom amenities harness the power of nature through essential oils.

Offering commanding views of Central Park, the Essex House recently underwent a comprehensive $90 million renovation in 2007 and is among the most luxurious and recognized hotels in Manhattan.

"New York is the center of the hospitality industry and a continuously growing market influencing leisure, business and group travel," said General Manager, Steve Batta.  "With such an ideal location overlooking Central Park, we are excited to offer guests a one-of-a-kind experience that embodies the distinctive sense of place and genuine flavor that is Manhattan."

For more information about the JW Marriott Essex House or to make a reservation, visit www.jwmarriott.com, or contact the hotel directly on (212) 247-0300 or online at www.essexhouse.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 60 JW Marriott hotels in 24 countries; by 2015 the portfolio is expected to encompass 79 properties in 28 countries. Visit us online, jwmarriott.com, @jwmarriott and facebook.com/JWMarriott.

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.

SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.