A take a look at the brand new Marriott Bethesda Downtown at Marriott HQ: Journey Weekly

BETHESDA, Md. — Of the 130-plus inns within the Washington space with the phrase “Marriott” of their names, the placement of the brand new Marriott Bethesda Downtown at Marriott HQ units it other than the others: It is steps from Marriott Worldwide’s new international headquarters, separated solely by a small plaza.

Because the closest lodge to CEO Anthony Capuano’s desk, I initially surmised that this property would possibly embody the most recent pondering on how Marriott inns needs to be designed, constructed and operated.

And after a two-night keep on the 244-room property in late Might, I imagine my assumption was right.

“The Marriott Inns model has actually gone by way of fairly a journey, transformation and repositioning,” normal supervisor Kat Burns mentioned after I spoke along with her a couple of month after my keep.  It is about catering to the fashionable enterprise traveler who may additionally convey their household, lengthen their journey by just a few days and search for one thing that works each for enterprise and visiting a neighborhood space, Burns mentioned. “I believe this lodge actually represents the model very nicely.”

Burns mentioned that the Marriott Bethesda Downtown was the 8,000th lodge the corporate has opened. “So from that standpoint, it’s totally particular.”

Highlights of the Marriott Bethesda Downtown

And after 7,999 inns, what would possibly the modern traveler discover within the newest?

Amongst its options: A foyer with dwell vegetation and floor-to-ceiling home windows that flood the house with mild; guestrooms with minimal muddle and tech energy shops galore; an informal, high-quality restaurant and bar that seamlessly blends into the foyer; indoor-outdoor choices; and LEED Gold-certified design processes.

However extra broadly, the theme that appears to run by way of the Marriott Bethesda Downtown is the idea of localism, a lodge that feels built-in right into a metropolis neighborhood.

The foyer and bar of the Marriott Bethesda Downtown at Marriott HQ. Photograph Credit score: TW photograph by Rebecca Tobin

In an FAQ about its transfer downtown from its longtime headquarters in a suburban workplace park, Marriott Worldwide mentioned that “relocating to a brand new, city setting was important” to realizing targets like offering a cutting-edge, enticing and purposeful house that will assist it appeal to high expertise.

Marriott’s prized attributes embody handy transportation choices and entry to a “vibrant, mixed-use city group” with eating places, retailers and leisure. 

Verify-in is downsized

Examples of residential facilities, Marriott-hotel-style, embody fireplace pits on the plaza for alfresco gatherings and a comparatively small check-in space with a discreet desk that de-emphasizes the standard “lodge” look. 

Burns mentioned the recognition of cellular choices, equivalent to check-in and chat, had influenced the design, as many company will not even cease on the check-in station. 

“As we glance to the long run, the entrance desk we now have here’s what you will note,” she mentioned. “It simply feels very residential, not an enormous desk.” 

The lodge’s native influences

A preponderance of native artwork and influences assist create a way of place. The foyer’s focus, the Seventh State restaurant, takes its title from Maryland’s place among the many colonies in ratifying the Structure; its draft beer menu even lists the miles from the lodge to the breweries.

And what’s a contemporary lodge with no rooftop amenity? On the Marriott Bethesda Downtown it is the Hip Flask bar, an indoor-outdoor house that is in style with locals and company alike.

One space of the third ground was nonetheless closed off throughout my go to. That house, Burns mentioned, can be dedicated to idea rooms, a part of the Marriott Design Lab, the lodge large’s analysis facility. Within the Lab, it’ll construct and check new applied sciences and merchandise, and the house is exclusive to the Marriott Bethesda Downtown.