United States
Marriott, Schrager Brand Edition Finally Debuting This Year
It's been three years since Marriott International announced its partnership with Ian Schrager to create a global lifestyle brand, Edition Hotels, for the mega hotel company. Its first property for the joint venture is finally slated to open on Waikiki Beach in October.
By Donna M. Airoldi
June 26, 2010
The concept behind Edition is to provide a "home away from home" for all guests, and an "office away from the office" for business travelers, with promises of "technologically sophisticated working environments," comfortable surroundings and, of course, individualized service.
Unilke other brands under the Marriott umbrella, each Edition hotel will have a unique look—"the brand’s unifying aesthetic will be in its approach and attitude to the modern lifestyle rather than its appearance." Mr. Schrager will act as creative consultant, however the ultimate decisions on design, concept and operations will be made by the property owners, developers and Marriott.
The 353-room Waikiki Edition, designed by Yabu/Pushelberg, will feature a restaurant by world-renowned chef, Morimoto; a Crazybox nightclub; a private beach with a lagoon and imported sand from the neighboring Hawaiian islands; a lobby bar hidden behind a secret passage; surf and bikini boot camps with custom vegetarian and organic spa menus; a full service spa; an outdoor movie theater; and retail shops.
For meetings, there are an executive boardroom, four meeting studios, a 9,200-square-foot ballroom accommodating seated dinners for up to 920 guests, three pre-function galleries, a 1,300-square-foot Sun Suite, 1,500-square-foot penthouse and an outdoor terrace. Groups can also reserve the private beach and movie theater for events. Customized Morimoto menus are available for private parties on request.
A 77-room Istanbul Edition, designed by Gabellini/Sheppard, is slated to open later in the year, followed by additional properties in Mexico City, Barcelona and Bangkok. For more information, visit
www.editionhotels.com.