Marking a milestone in the city where it all began, Marriott Hotels, the flagship brand of Marriott International, Inc. officially celebrated the highly anticipated grand opening of the company’s 4,000th hotel – the Marriott Marquis Washington, DC.The day kicked off with the official dedication led by J.W. Marriott, Jr., executive chairman, along with city officials and other dignitaries who helped welcome the 1,175-room hotel to the company and city. The hotel is located not far from where founders J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott opened a nine seat A&W Root Beer stand 87 years ago. In a salute to the company’s origins, the ceremony featured a root beer toast and a performance by the Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir. Members of the Marriott family also surprised Mr. Marriott by unveiling a plaque on the mezzanine level that reads, “Honoring J.W. “Bill” Marriott, Jr. for His Exemplary Leadership and Commitment to ‘Put People First’- Dedicated at the Grand Opening of the Marriott Marquis Washington, DC, June 10, 2014”.
“It is fitting that our 4,000th hotel is located here in our nation’s capital, because it is the birthplace of our company and represents the future of the Marriott Hotels brand,” said, J.W. “Bill” Marriott, Jr. “The Marquis will also be an economic boost to the city, creating job and career opportunities for hundreds of District residents and attracting major meetings from around the world.”
Marriott Marquis Washington, DC opened May 1, 2014 with 1,175 rooms, which includes 49 suites, and over 105,000 square feet of function space, including a 30,600 square-foot Marquis Ballroom and two 10,800 square-foot ballrooms. Marriott Marquis Washington, DC is conveniently located next door to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center–and connected via an underground concourse. An epicenter of downtown DC, the hotel has transformed its neighborhood and introduced a new, exciting venue for local social gatherings, business travelers and meetings and conventions. The property features a grand atrium lobby with a 56-foot sculpture, a state-of-the-art bi-level fitness center, and five ground-floor dining outlets. The hotel’s design is innovative, incorporating the site’s original historic Samuel Gompers AFL-CIO headquarters and designed to earn LEED® Silver accreditations (one of the largest hotels in the country to earn this eco-friendly distinction).
