Stepping into the foyer of the J W Marriott hotel in downtown Auckland it is clear the property is entering a sparkling new era!
The hotel has been a major icon in Auckland’s accommodation scene for well over thirty years and was initially considered the city’s first five star hotel, under the Regent brand. Followed by the impressive Stamford ownership, it has since become J W Marriott’s most significant investment in the New Zealand market, – paying over $170 million for the property late 2022.
Following the signing with Albert Street Operations Ltd, the property is steadily being converted to an international JW Marriott branded hotel this year with a $20 million+ refurbishment underway in phases.
Richard Crawford, Marriott International Vice President of Hotel Development for Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific said the signing of JW Marriott Hotel Auckland is another positive step forward.
“There are now more than 100 hotels in 35 countries and territories that carry our founder’s name, JW Marriott,” Crawford said.
“This is another example of Marriott’s dominant expansion in the region and a testament to our confidence in the recovery of travel, particularly the luxury market which we believe is set to thrive in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific region.”
The property, which is co-owned by CP Group, Alvarium Investments and Archipelago Capital, will feature 286 rooms of luxury accommodation, an executive lounge and lobby bar, 100-seat buffet restaurant, as well as smaller speciality dining venues.
The multimillion dollar renovation project is currently well underway, with the J W Ballroom (400 max capacity), multifunctional Auckland Room (150 max capacity) now open for event bookings, with the revamped guest rooms featuring hardwood flooring and rugs rather than carpet , and luminous lighting that enhance both space and the hotel’s guest wellbeing focus.
More projects currently underway will see the renovation of an additional three spaces from August 2024. With options to suit intimate groups as small as eight, up to parties of 400 guests, JW Marriott Auckland hotel will enable guests to gather with intention, no matter the occasion – from weddings and celebrations, gala dinners, seminars, awards nights, conferences and more.
The design of the renovated meeting spaces blend natural textures with modern touches, warm wood tones and a calming palette to create a serene atmosphere and give guests the chance to immerse themselves in the future of events.
With nearly 50 square metres of LED walls and dynamic lighting that adapt effortlessly to guests’ needs, enhanced by Microhire, the spaces are set to be the perfect location for those looking to foster connection in the heart of Auckland.
The JW Marriott Auckland is the first hotel to utilise Microhire’s audiovisual technology for its launch into the New Zealand market, providing meeting and event organisers the proven expert support of the two organisations combined knowledge and experience, and an in-house audiovisual technician to tailor requirements for a memorable event.
JW Marriott Auckland General Manager, Girish Talreja says: -“JW Marriott Auckland is proud to announce the opening of bookings in our first renovated function spaces, providing local and domestic guests a space to come together and connect, and the first function spaces in New Zealand to offer Microhire’s state of the art audiovisual technology.”
Geoff Townend, Regional General Manager, NSW & NZ, Microhire said, “Microhire is delighted to partner with JW Marriott Auckland and further grow our Marriott relationship as weexpand into the New Zealand market.”
“We pride ourselves on enhancing the event experience by blending exceptional “guest-first” service and top-quality technology enhancements across the event spaces, many of which are firsts for the Auckland market. Our team is excited to deliver incredible events in these beautiful spaces and play our part in the next chapter of the JW Marriott Auckland story”
The venue offers a variety of signature nourishing food and beverage packages to support mindfulness, and promote mental and physical health at meetings and events.
As part of JW Marriott Auckland’s dedication to nurturing the whole you, event attendees will be nourished by the elevated Meeting and Events menus with purpose, utilising local produce to best promote both mental and physical health, and sustainable drinking options from New Zealand’s abundance of local wine, beer, and spirit producers.
JW Marriott Auckland has also committed to incorporating neuro inclusive practices in all Marriott-hosted customer meetings and events of 250 people including a dedicated quiet room, sensory tools, accommodations and resources, to provide more mindful and inclusive environments.
The lobby and food and beverage options will include a modern all day dining ‘Kiwi brasserie’ with an alfresco area, an elegant Teppanyaki restaurant, JW bar, Lobby Lounge and the exclusive Executive Lounge for Marriott Bonvoy members only.
And I can attest a dedicated team of friendly, professional team members who are highly skilled in hospitality, ensure all guests feel appreciated.
