Largest JW Marriott in the world opens February 4

INDIANAPOLIS – The JW Marriott® Indianapolis Downtown opens its doors on Friday, February 4, 2011, completing the Marriott Place development project occupying seven acres along the west side of downtown Indianapolis.

Marriott Place Indianapolis is a collection of five Marriott properties that offer unprecedented options for business and leisure travelers, not to mention meeting planners. In addition to the new JW Marriott Indianapolis, the $450 million complex includes the Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown, SpringHill Suites by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown and the Marriott Indianapolis Downtown, with a total of 2,248 rooms. All are connected to the newly renovated and expanded Indiana Convention Center.

“The new JW Marriott Indianapolis Downtown is truly the ‘crown jewel’ of the Marriott Place development,” said Scott Blalock, general manager of the JW Marriott Indianapolis. “With the variety and flexibility of meeting and event space that we offer, as well as accommodations at various price points, we can suit almost anybody’s needs.”

In addition to 54 meeting rooms and 104,000 square feet of event space, the JW Marriott Indianapolis also houses a 40,500 square foot Grand Ballroom, the largest hotel ballroom in the Midwest. The completion of the JW Marriott Indianapolis marks the culmination of nearly $3 billion in urban investment in downtown Indianapolis. The new hotel, along with the newly expanded Indiana Convention Center, Lucas Oil Stadium and a new International Airport make Indianapolis a viable destination for a larger variety of meetings and prominent events.

“The Marriott Place Indianapolis hotel complex is an integral component to the city’s overall strategic tourism growth,” said Michael Browning, chairman of the board for the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association (ICVA). “The Indiana Convention Center’s recent expansion, a new airport, new stadium hosting the Super Bowl, and now touting the world’s largest JW Marriott – Indianapolis has arrived on the national tourism scene and is the envy of destinations across the nation. The city’s overall compact convention package continues to attract new customers, with more hotel rooms connected into our convention center via skywalks than any other city in the U.S. We are thankful to the White Family for their continued commitment to Indianapolis; their investment is benefiting our entire tourism industry.”

Standing approximately 375 feet tall and 34 stories high, the JW Marriott Indianapolis is the tallest hotel in the state of Indiana and the largest JW Marriott in the world based on its 1,005 guest rooms. Each room offers elegant style with enhanced residential comforts of home. All guest rooms and suites will feature 40″ LCD televisions and a plug-in panel integrating laptops, MP3 and video players. Guests will also be able to access a virtual, interactive concierge from their TV remote control.

The hotel features two restaurants including High Velocity and Osteria Pronto, which also encompasses Tavern on the Plaza, an outdoor patio set to open this spring with an outside bar and a fire pit. High Velocity is a high-adrenaline sports bar offering well-crafted food offerings, a diverse beer selection, and custom cocktails. Guests can watch their favorite sporting events on one of the 50 televisions that fill the restaurant.

Located on the north-end of the hotel is Osteria Pronto, the three-course Italian restaurant featuring authentic and thoughtfully prepared dishes in a casual atmosphere. Osteria Pronto will provide fresh dishes with the right balance of familiarity and innovation, complimented by the chef’s exceptional selection of Italian and American wines. The restaurant will also offer lounge and cocktail menus in the wine bar located right next to the lobby. Private dining options are also available for larger parties.