In 1957, 30 years years after launching the first A&W franchise and introducing their Hot Shoppes concept, J. Willard and Alice Marriott opened the world’s first motor hotel in Arlington, Va., followed in 1959 by the Key Bridge Marriott, also in Arlington, offering city, Potomac River and Georgetown panoramas from its Capital View Ballroom.
In the late 1980s, Marriott International commenced its pioneering “one company, many brands” strategy in pursuit of becoming the world’s hospitality leader.
Finalizing its acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide last fall, the new 30-brand company, headquartered in Bethesda, Md., has achieved that goal, operating or franchising some 5,700 properties and 1.1 million rooms in 110-plus countries.
From Residence Inn to Ritz-Carlton, count at least 163 of those properties in Metro D.C.
Famous flags include The Mayflower (1925), an Autograph Collection hotel; W Washington, formerly Hotel Washington (1918) and steps from the White House with premier rooftop space at its POV Lounge; and St. Regis Washington, D.C., originally the Carlton (1926).
Conferencing classics, meanwhile, include Marriott Wardman Park. Turning 100 in 2018, the Connecticut Avenue property was where famed African-American poet Langston Hughes, working as a busboy, was discovered in 1925. In 1954, Thurgood Marshall and colleagues stayed here ahead of trying Brown vs. Board of Education in the Supreme Court.
Featuring 1,152 guest rooms, with the newly dedicated Langston Hughes Suite among 104 suites, the Wardman’s nearly 195,000 square feet of space includes 95,000 square feet of exhibit space.
Adjacent to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, the 1,175 room-Marriott Marquis Washington D.C. offers 100,000-plus square feet of space, with Anthem, inspired by the original 1927 Marriott Hot Shoppe among several F&B concepts.
JW Marriott Washington, D.C., the luxury brand’s flagship offers 755 newly redesigned rooms, 22 suites and 37,000-plus square feet of newly renovated function space. In February 2017, Washington Marriott Georgetown, opened in 1981 as Marriott’s first DC hotel, unveiled a $28 million transformation.
Northern Virginia coordinates include the Falls Church Marriott Fairview Park and The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner.
Announcing the Starwood acquisition in 2015, Marriott International President and CEO Arne Sorenson said: “The driving force behind this transaction is growth.” Announced at its March 2017 investors conference, the company’s three-year growth plan includes “opening approximately one hotel every 14 hours around the world.”
Ten years shy of its centennial, Marriott has the keys to the future well in hand.
