TownePlace Suites by Marriott & The Container Store Partner To Create The Hotel Closet That Makes You Want to Unpack

BETHESDA, Md., May 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Travelers usually know what to expect from the hotel closet  - a lonely rod and a few hangers. That is why most live out of their suitcases when on the road.  TownePlace Suites by Marriott is about to shake up the travel norm with their exclusive partnership with The Container Store.   The extended-stay hotel brand is installing the iconic elfa® closet system into all newly built and renovated hotels.   

Imagine guests' delight as they open that closet to find multiple closet rods, ventilated drawers and even shelves for shoes.  The closet offers two levels of hanging space to accommodate everything from dresses to pants, and shelves and a gliding drawer for suitcases, briefcases, t-shirts, sweaters and other folded items. 

And there is M.O.R.E. (Making Organization Real Everyday), extended stay guests, who are staying for several days or longer, can customize their TownePlace Suites closets with additional hanging drawers, expandable valet rod and bracket hooks for corralling ties, bags and other accessories.  The M.O.R.E. program will continue to evolve with other products from the Container Store based on guest feedback.

"In a world where we like to customize our experience, this new partnership gives our guests the perfect tool to stay organized and settle in when they unpack their things.  This is especially important when you travel on long stays of five nights or more.  The Container Store's amazing elfa® closet offers various combinations making it as unique as each of our guests," said Loren Nalewanski, vice president and global brand manager, TownePlace Suites.

To kick off the partnership, the two companies are hosting a series of events on May 7.  At The Container Store's Lexington Avenue store in Manhattan, customers will be treated with a day of prizes, tips on traveling smart and an energy-filled game involving unpacking a suitcase in a replica of the TownePlace Suites elfa® closet.  In addition, at six airports across the country at Southwest Airlines® gates (Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall, New York La Guardia, Dallas Love Field, Seattle Tacoma International, Chicago Midway International and San Francisco International), the brands are displaying an elfa® closet  to share informational packing demonstrations and are even surprising travelers with fun, unexpected travel prizes.

On May 7, the brands also kick off a national sweepstakes where entrants get a chance to win a grand prize vacation package that includes a seven night (7) stay at TownePlace Suites by Marriott, two (2) roundtrip tickets on Southwest Airlines and a $2500 elfa® closet for their home, as well as daily and weekly prizes. For sweepstakes terms and conditions and complete rules to enter, visit ClosetEnvySweepstakes.com.  Sweepstakes runs from May 7-June 11, 2014. 

"Whether it's in their homes or while they are on the road, our time-starved customers crave organization that will make their day more productive, relaxed and enjoyable, and we are thrilled to be helping them do just that in completely new way with our TownePlace Suites partnership," said Casey Shilling, vice president of public relations & marketing communication for The Container Store. "Our elfa® closets provide visibility, flexibility and accessibility and will not only give extended-stay travelers an elevated experience, but also a sense of calm and organization that is especially needed when away from home."

By the end of 2014, the elfa® closets will be in 27 TownePlace Suites by Marriott hotels.  All TownePlace Suites guests will be eligible for a special offer of free shipping on elfa® closet system orders for their own homes.

elfa® is The Container Store's best-selling modular shelving and drawer system.  elfa®, the foundation for any organized space, is exclusive to The Container Store and is completely customizable for use in any area of the home. The retailer provides free closet and space design every day in its stores and online at containerstore.com. 

About The Container Store

The Container Store (NYSE: TCS) is the nation's leading retailer of storage and organization products and the only retailer solely devoted to the storage and organization category of retailing. The company originated the concept of storage and organization retailing when it opened its first store in 1978. Today, the retailer has 65 store locations nationwide that each average 25,000 square feet.  The Container Store has over 10,000 products to help customers save space and, ultimately, save them time. As the pace of modern life accelerates and being organized is not a luxury anymore but a necessity, The Container Store is devoted to making customers more productive, relaxed and happier by selling customized, complete solutions.  Since its inception, the retailer has nurtured an employee-first culture and couples its one-of-kind product collection with a high level of customer service delivered by its highly trained organization experts.  The company has been named to FORTUNE magazine's 100 Best Companies To Work For® – 15 years in a row. Visit www.containerstore.com for more information about store locations, the product collection and services offered. To find out more about The Container Store's unique culture, Foundation Principles and devotion to Conscious Capitalism, visit the retailer's blog at www.whatwestandfor.com. 

About TownePlace Suites

TownePlace Suites by Marriott, a brand of Marriott International's (NASDAQ:MAR),  is an all-suite, extended-stay hotel brand in the moderate price range. Ranked highest in the Extended Stay category in the J.D. Power 2013 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index StudySM, TownePlace Suites has also been #1 for mid-price extended stays in Business Travel News' Hotel Chain Survey in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and was named one of Entrepreneur magazines "120 Most Trusted Brands." Ideal for travelers who need accommodations for longer stays, TownePlace Suites offer studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens and separate living/working and sleeping areas. Launched in 1997, the brand currently has more than 200 locations in the United States and Canada. TownePlace Suites participates 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 or reservations, call the TownePlace Suites toll-free number at 800-257-3000, visit www.towneplacesuites.com or become a fan at www.facebook.com/towneplacesuites. 

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.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140506/85034

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140506/85369

SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.