AUSTIN, TX—JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts has opened its first property here, approximately two and a half years after the hotel first broke ground.
The 34-story JW Marriott Austin is not only the largest hotel in Austin, but also the largest JW Marriott in North America and the second-largest JW Marriott in the world, according to Marriott International. The JW Marriott Austin has achieved a LEED Silver certification and a two-star Austin Energy Green Building rating.
“Austin is a natural fit for the JW Marriott brand. As one of America’s fastest-growing cities, Austin is home to a thriving culinary, music and arts scene, completely aligned with our guests’ passions,” said Mitzi Gaskins, VP and global brand manager for JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts. “We are honored to host Major Walter Engle and his family as our first guests, and look forward to offering them an unforgettable experience—right in the heart of this vibrant city.”
The JW Marriott Austin is designed to host large conventions and meetings, with more than 112,000 sq. ft. of event space, 42 meeting rooms and 1,012 guestrooms. More than 520,000 room nights have already been contracted through 2021. Several large meetings and conventions have already chosen to host their events at the JW Marriott Austin. Some of the first groups include South by Southwest Festival.
The hotel is located on the square block bounded by Second and Third Sts. and Brazos St. and Congress Ave. in downtown Austin, and is within walking distance of such attractions as the Austin Convention Center and Texas State Capitol.
The hotel will offer a fifth-floor pool deck and bar, a full-service Starbucks and three restaurants—Osteria Pronto, Corner and Burger Bar. Osteria Pronto is a regional Italian restaurant; Corner will feature Texas-inspired cuisine using fresh local ingredients; and Burger Bar has a walk-up food truck-style window on Congress Ave.
Key interior design elements of the hotel were incorporated to celebrate the spirit of Austin and the state of Texas, according to the brand. Design features include large columns throughout the hotel and lobby built from Texas limestone; a topographical map of Austin illustrated in the lobby ceiling and floor; illuminated artwork behind the check-in area that resembles a magnified cactus graphic; and a large outline of the state of Texas etched into the bottom of the fifth-floor pool.