Marriott Marquis Chicago Opens

When Jennifer Hudson is on hand to headline grand opening festivities, it’s pretty clear the property is not your average hotel.

Add to that the star power of former President Barack Obama, who has already visited and spent the night, and the wow factor hits different levels.

These are just a few of the highlights worth noting when it comes to the Marriott Marquis Chicago, which recently held its grand opening festivities. The 1,205-room property is the largest hotel to open in Chicago this year and the biggest hotel Marriott has opened in North America during 2017.

The 40-story building, which includes 93,000-square-feet of high-tech meeting space, is located just a few blocks from the shores of Lake Michigan, along South Prairie Avenue in the city’s up-and-coming entertainment and convention district of McCormick Square.

In addition to its notable size, the new Marriott Marquis is a stellar example of the hotel company’s bold new style and approach when it comes to the design of business properties.

First is the stylish lobby, which commands your attention the moment you enter.

The space—filled with rich white oak millwork, supple leathers and modern seating—is sleek and very 2017. The old stiff front desk concept has also been tremendously minimized in this lobby. (And guests also have the option of checking in via mobile phone.)

The entire building was designed based on the notion that “everything matters”, and it shows via thoughtful carpet choices under your feet. Or the artwork on the walls (created by more than 30 Chicago artists commissioned by Marriott) and visually unique wallpaper crafted to represent the new hotel's connection to the former American Book Company building from 1912.

The abundance of USB and electricity outlets is also notable. They are everywhere you turn throughout the hotel: Along the bar in the Woven & Bound restaurant on the ground floor, in public gathering spaces throughout the hotel, all over your guest room and everywhere in between. The hotel clearly has harried business travelers front of mind, as well as just modern travelers in general.

Because the new hotel is such a big deal for Marriott, the company’s CEO Arne Sorenson was among those on–hand for the grand opening, as was Julius Robinson, senior vice president and global brand leader for Marriott Hotels, Sheraton and Delta Hotels.

The two executives explained that the property is representative of a broader effort to bring the brand to life for a new generation of travelers.

Robinson, in particular, spoke of a focus on creating environments that are stimulating on multiple levels for guests, beginning as soon as you walk through the front door into a space like the hotel lobby.

“The environment and atmosphere plays just as much a role now - the lighting, the artwork and the sound – that’s all a preamble to the first interaction with the guest,” said Robinson.

Public spaces such as these have also been reimagined to be social environments where people are encouraged to sit together and interact with each other, said Robinson.

The modern traveler has different wants and needs than travelers of year’s past, and the design of Chicago’s Marriott Marquis very much represents that realization, added Sorenson.

“Twenty years ago people, and Marriott is included in this, were wanting to deliver something that met the expectations of loyal travelers, to deliver something that was quite similar wherever you went,” said Sorenson. “Travel was difficult and you didn’t want to be disappointed.”

Today, however, he said, travelers want every experience to be rich and authentic. They want to know they are in Chicago when they are in Chicago.

“They want us to give them something that feels local and a design they can interact with and notice,” Sorenson continued. “We are trying to move in a way, not just with the Marriott brand, where we provide an experience that is both comforting…and at the same time deliver something that is interesting and local.”

A prime example of this comment is the building’s intriguing artwork program. Throughout the lobby, hallways, guest rooms and various other corridors are works of art created by local artists. The pieces collectively are aimed at defying the common assumption that hotel art is merely for decoration.

Notable and influential artists across various mediums were asked to create something that was inspired by the hotel, its location and the surrounding environment. The resulting collection is fascinating and engaging, often causing you to pause as you rush down a hallway or brush your teeth in the morning in your room.

Guests are invited to learn more about each piece by using their Smartphones and a video-enabled QR code on the artwork. There’s also a video available in guest rooms that includes interviews with the artists about their inspiration for each piece.

Modern Marriott properties also have expanded fitness centers, more vegetarian and gluten-free menu options and a program known as Moments Master Classes, designed to offer travelers highly-personal experiences with luminaries from various industries.

During the grand opening festivities this past week, the Master Class was offered by legendary Chicago DJ and Grammy-nominated music producer Terry Hunter, who taught a DJ spin session prior to taking the stage for the evening’s concert with Jennifer Hudson.

Other master class experiences have included a chance to learn basketball tips with Dwayne Wade at JW Marriott Marquis Miami or improve your golf game with Hall of Fame golfer Annika Sorenstam when visiting Lake Tahoe California.

Marriott is a brand that's making it clear they understand modern travel, and the Marriott Marquis Chicago is an ode to the fact that even business travel can be something less ordinary.

Source: Travel Pulse