JW Marriott has opened its latest luxury hotel as part of a US$500m (€470m, £331m) expansion of America’s largest mall.
The JW Marriott Minneapolis Mall of America – which is located to the north of the mall building – has been designed in collaboration with Nebraska architects DLR Group and hospitality industry consultants Design Force Associates.
The hotel’s architecture is a combination of classic lines and stylised touches intended to bring a touch of drama to the building. Inside, 342 guestrooms are designed to evoke the comforts of home.
“Innovative and engaging spaces can be found throughout the hotel, offering visitors a new perspective on an unfolding journey,” said JW Marriott in a statement. “Interior design details, such as dimensional artwork, textured fabrics and jewellery-inspired crystal chandeliers create a refreshing sensory appeal.”
The hotel features a fitness centre, indoor pool, executive lounge, ballroom and nearly 20,00sq ft (1,850sq m) of state-of-the-art meeting and events space. Meanwhile, a locally-themed incarnation of the brand’s signature restaurant – Cedar + Stone, Urban Table – offers dishes inspired by Minnesota’s natural roots and culture. A separate lobby lounge offers a wide selection of local craft beers on tap.
“In keeping with the JW Marriott brand’s core values, the hotel is designed to creatively deliver an authentic, inspiring environment and warm, intuitive service that will be highly appealing to both leisure and business travellers,” said Mitzi Gaskins, vice president of parent company Marriott International’s brand management division.
The project was overseen by Mall of America’s hotel developers Mortenson, as part of the mall’s ongoing expansion. Over 750,000sq ft (70,000sq m) is being added to all three levels of the current mall building, of which 50,000sq ft (4,600sq m) has been allocated for luxury and aspirational brands and fine dining restaurants.
"This region is particularly well-suited for our continued growth in the US and the expansion of Mall of America, designed to showcase luxury retail and hospitality concepts, is in alignment with JW Marriott's brand ethos," said Gaskins.
Marriott International will soon own 5,500 hotels across 30 brands worldwide
after agreeing a deal to buy its rival, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, for US$12.2bn (€11.4b, £8bn). More than 250 additional luxury and lifestyle hotel projects have been earmarked for development over the next few years.
