Marriott Debuts Its 8,000th Property in Bethesda, Maryland
Marriott International today celebrated the opening of its 8,000th property. That honor goes to Marriott Bethesda Downtown at Marriott HQ, a 12-story stylish retreat adjacent to Marriott International’s soon-to-open new global headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland.
The hotel opening signifies both a growth milestone for the company, as well as a remarkable moment in the Marriott story, as the company celebrates its 95th year. Marriott’s first lodging property, the Twin Bridges Marriott, opened in 1957 and was a four-story motor hotel in Arlington, Virginia.
Marriott Bethesda Downtown
Marriott Bethesda Downtown is part of the Marriott Hotels brand, the signature flag of Marriott Bonvoy’s 30 brands. It brings enriching, locally-influenced experiences to the global hospitality company’s home state. The hotel, owned by The Bernstein Companies and managed by Marriott International, is a gateway to the greater Washington, D.C. area. It features three innovative culinary concepts, including Bethesda’s first high-rise rooftop bar.
The hotel’s contemporary interiors illustrate a curated palette of materials inspired by the region’s natural attributes. Stone and tiles reminiscent of local Bethesda bluestone quarries greet guests at the hotel entrance leading to a grand staircase, which is the centerpiece of the glass-enclosed lobby brimming with natural light.
Faceted mirrors and floor-to-ceiling windows ripple throughout the hotel, infusing an abundance of natural light while also resembling reflections of the Potomac River.
Reimagined guest rooms and suites – with tailored, modern touches that inspire and nurture the needs of today’s traveler – feature multi-functional furniture, technology-enabled work surfaces with built-in universal adapters and UCS cords, and rose gold tinted mirrors. Hotel features include a spacious fitness center with Peloton bikes, a second-floor library highlighting local authors, and a curated art collection from the region’s emerging talent that is showcased throughout guest rooms and public spaces. A large-scale mural by multi-media artist Liz Collins, known globally for her abstract patterns, is an exclusively commissioned highlight.
Helmed by Executive Chef Dupree Braswell, Marriott Bethesda Downtown is home to three dynamic food-and-drink concepts, each with its own distinct identity, that showcase some of Maryland’s finest artisans and farmers through locally sourced ingredients and thoughtful collaborations with local makers.
- The Greatroom lobby bar, a social hub from day to night, features fluid bar seating that eliminates barriers between mixologist and guest. Indoor and outdoor spaces evoke the ambiance of an Italian Piazza, while cocktails are prepared tableside in a one-of-a-kind imperial shaker and a rotating selection of local craft beers are available on tap.
- The hotel’s restaurant, Seventh State, a historical nod to Maryland entering the union, offers a locally curated menu with items such as the Panuozzo, a wood-fired folded sandwich handmade with pizza dough and locally sourced ingredients. Floor-to-ceiling retractable glass walls open seasonally to outdoor seating, while a custom Italian wood-fire oven clad in bronze is a focal point of the open kitchen indoors.
- Hip Flask, Bethesda’s first high-rise rooftop bar with private elevator access, offers a spirits-forward menu with flair, innovative tableside presentations, and an expansive outdoor terrace. While zero-proof cocktails are also peppered throughout seasonally rotating menus, the signature “Tiger Vogue” cocktail with Makers 46, Tiger Nut, Chicory, and Orange 20, will be shaken and stirred into a flask then presented hidden inside of a book, speakeasy style.
House of Kindness Offer
Marriott Bethesda Downtown is dedicated to ensuring every minute of the guest experience captures the essence of Bethesda, which means “House of Kindness,” through destination-inspired design, programming, partnerships and five-star service. To celebrate the opening, the hotel’s “House of Kindness” offer includes:
- 15% off the best available rate; Marriott Bonvoy members get an additional 5% off
- 20% off food and beverage
- Upgrade to a top-floor view room