MEMPHIS—The Madison Hotel has always attracted a lot of A-list celebrities from the music world thanks in large part to its prime location, but the hotel is hoping its recent initiative to give many of its other guests the star treatment hits the right note.
The 110-room luxury boutique hotel—which is owned and managed by Rebel Hospitality LLC and opened its doors here in 2002—recently introduced a promotion called the Ultimate RockStar Package for travelers interested in receiving the full music-recording experience.
“Music is just so ingrained in the heart of Memphis. As a hotel here, we really wanted our guests to feel the rock and roll vibe of Memphis, whether they get out to experience it or not,” said Kristy Sellers, director of sales and marketing at the hotel.
The package includes overnight accommodations in the hotel’s Presidential Suite—which features two bedrooms, a living room, a Jacuzzi tub, a specialty wine reserve and views of the Mississippi River—and a host of music-related amenities.
For example, the suite comes equipped with two Traveler guitars for jam sessions (one of which guests can take home), as well as a pair Bowers & Wilkins P7 headphones. Guests are also entitled to a private one-hour recording session, including a three-piece band, at the famed Sun Studio, and they receive a CD of the recording as well as $50 in Sun merchandise.
In addition, the Madison Hotel provides a private, luxury VIP car service to and from the recording session and a swag bag filled with real rock star rider requests. Items such as assorted Pringles, stamped postcards and aromatherapy candles were apparently must-have amenities for bands and musicians like Guns ‘N Roses, Sheryl Crow and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, respectively.
Sellers further talked about the inspiration for such a package and how it is a point of differentiation for the Madison. “Really what inspired us to do this rock-star package was an opportunity to extend our music and our brand even farther. But, we wanted something extraordinary, an experience a guest would not find in other hotels in Memphis or beyond. I don’t think it’s something that you see at a standard hotel,” she said.
Sellers also noted the property is adorned with musical touches throughout, such as musical artwork, a baby grand piano, guitars in the lobby and album covers. Those elements are designed “to really just give that musical feel to all of our guests in the hotel. We do have a lot of A-list guests at the hotel, so it’s very organic. It’s a natural part of our brand as a whole,” she said.
Sellers talked about how critical some of the partnerships with local firms were in making the package come to fruition. She insisted they were equally enthusiastic about the opportunity.
For example, the first partnership was with Traveler. “They were excited not only to provide guitars for the package, but to provide guitars in the lobby. There’s nothing better to see than a guest jamming in the lobby,” she said.
Sellers further noted that, as a result of the Traveler partnership, guests not looking to book the entire package can book a suite that has a guitar in the room. “They can enjoy and play while they’re a guest at the hotel,” she said.
Meanwhile, the partnership with Bowers & Wilkins for premium headphones ensures “the rock and roll experience does not interfere with other guests,” according to Sellers. She further noted that Sun Studio was also happy to be involved. “They were thrilled with the opportunity to showcase Sun in another way. It is one of the most historically significant recording studios of all time,” she said, adding that Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and other music greats have recorded there.
Sellers noted there was not set timetable for how long the property would run the promotion, but she guessed it would be “for a good while.” The Ultimate RockStar Package is priced at $5,000, and it is also available in a Luxury VIP Suite for $4,000. She added the Madison is currently promoting it through its website as well as eblasts to guests, and is expected to roll out more marketing initiatives in the coming months.
—Dennis Nessler