New DC Conference Hotel, Opening May 1, Reveals Diverse Dining Options

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - Feb 28, 2014) - When the Marriott Marquis Washington, DC opens on May 1^st, it will be the District's largest hotel, so when it came to establishing its dining options, there was only one way to go -- big.

The hotel in downtown Washington, DC will house five Americana-inspired dining experiences on its ground floor, creating a social hub in the vibrant Shaw neighborhood that is sure to become a favorite among hotel guests, DC tourists and locals.

The culinary vision at this hotel near the Washington, DC Convention Center will be overseen by Executive Chef Matthew Morrison, a DC native who was most recently executive chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, Virginia. Morrison will be responsible for all five of the hotel's dining venues, which include two restaurants and three bars/lounges.

While the specialty restaurant has yet to be revealed, the Washington, DC city center hotel is excited to share details on the other four establishments, all of which will feature fresh, seasonal menus sourced from both local and Mid-Atlantic purveyors as well as the hotel's on-site rooftop garden.

A modern take on an old-school diner, Anthem will offer a bright, welcoming experience that nods to the original 1927 Marriott Hot Shoppes (from the Mighty Mo burger to the nine-seat, throwback coffee shop countertop). The menu will feature comfort food as well as options for kids and the health-conscious, and the space will include two private dining rooms, communal tables and floor-to-ceiling windows.

The new Penn Quarter hotel will also house three bars, each with a unique setting and experience. At the upscale Dignitary lounge, dark woods, a red-brick bar, antique cash register, red-leather club chairs, fireplace and polished-tin ceilings will create a rich, speakeasy vibe. Here, visitors will enjoy handcrafted, farm-to-fork cocktails and selections from a small plates menu, as well as fresh juice cocktails and craft beers on the outdoor patio.

At High Velocity, the sports bar gets a high-tech twist with 36 large flat-screen TVs, smartphone charging stations, Wi-Fi and tickertape screens with the latest sports scores. A central bar will offer a 48-brew tap highlighting several DC-area breweries, and the menu of high-concept bar food will feature sampler plates and beer-infused dishes. With communal dining and a view overlooking the convention center, High Velocity will be a popular choice for business travelers and convention-goers.

At the heart of the hotel, The Lobby Bar will offer a relaxed space for a quick bite or coffee with tapas and cocktails also on the menu. The atrium space will feature lots of natural light and the 56-foot sculpture, The Birth of the American Flag. Designed by sculptor Rodney Carroll, it is the largest piece of art in any Marriott hotel and reaches to the 5^th floor of the 15-floor hotel.

Slated to be the neighborhood's culinary crown jewel, Marriott Marquis joins the already-transforming downtown dining and nightlife scene. For details, visit http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/wasco-marriott-marquis-washington-dc/.

Marriott Marquis Washington, DC is scheduled to open May 1, 2014 with 1,175 rooms, which includes 49 suites, and more than 105,000 square feet of function space, including a 30,000-square-foot Marquis Ballroom with 22-foot ceilings and two junior ballrooms. Marriott Marquis Washington, DC will be conveniently located next door to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and connected via an underground concourse. Set to be the epicenter of downtown, the hotel will transform this neighborhood and introduce a new, exciting venue for social gatherings, business travelers and meetings and conventions. The property will also serve as a brand-new social hub for local residents with a grand atrium lobby, a state-of-the-art bi-level fitness center and five separate retail and restaurant spaces. The design will be innovative, incorporating the site's original historic Samuel Gompers AFL-CIO headquarters, known as the "Plumbers Building" and is designed to earn LEED^® Silver accreditations (one of the largest hotels in the country to earn this eco-friendly distinction). For more information on the Marriott Marquis Washington DC, please visit http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/wasco-marriott-marquis-washington-dc/.

About Marriott Hotels
With 500 hotels and resorts in nearly 60 countries around the world, Marriott Hotels is evolving travel through every aspect of the guest's stay, enabling the next generation to Travel Brilliantly. Boldly transforming itself for mobile and global travelers who blend work and play, Marriott leads the industry with innovations, including the Greatroom Lobby, Future of Meetings and Mobile Guest Services that elevates style & design and technology. All Marriott hotels participate in the award winning Marriott Rewards frequent travel program that allows members to earn hotel points or airline miles for every dollar spent during each stay. For more information, visit www.MarriottHotels.com. To join the ongoing Marriott conversation, like us on Facebook (Facebook.com/Marriott) and follow us on Twitter (Twitter.com/Marriott, @Marriott).