Wyclef Jean And The Knocks Headline Debut Of NYC's First 'Living' Hotel, Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel

NEW YORK, and BETHESDA, Md., June 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- To celebrate the debut of the Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel, the brand's new flagship property, a celebrity-driven event was held on June 2 that embraced the hotel's neighborhood, the Garment District, the Renaissance brand's 'Fearlessly Chic' global design philosophy and 'Business Unusual' outlook catering to the Next Generation business traveler. The Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel debut brought together top talent from the fashion, design, culinary and entertainment worlds who curated experiences as guest "Navigators," in a nod to Renaissance's lifestyle concierges. 

Wyclef Jean and New York electronic duo The Knocks, performed their smash track, "Kiss the Sky," off their new debut album '55' (Big Beat/Neon Gold), for the nearly one thousand guests on the 8,000 square-foot outdoor terrace featuring a retractable roof —one of the largest in New York City.

Models Olivia Palermo and Chanel Iman served as hosts for the event, which included DJ sets by Harley Viera-Newton, alexandra Richards, Alan Eckstein, Franco V and Elle Dee and appearances by Nigel Barker and Heidy de la Rosa.  New York-based designer and CFDA award winner Timo Weiland replicated his design studio with fabrics, machinery, instruments and looks from his collection.  He also dressed Alexandra Richards and JPatt from The Knocks for the party in his signature style. Renowned music photographer, Kevin Mazur, transformed the hotel's Empire Suite into an exclusive Portrait Studio, capturing private photo sessions with talent from the night. James Beard Award-winning TV personality and chef Andrew Zimmern hosted a VIP Navigator's Table of tastemakers with a curated display of unusual bites, including sea urchin crostini with torched lardo, Hotel Saigon grilled beef rolls and his signature Spicy Sesame Peanut Noodles.

While celebs sipped on specialty cocktails and sparkling water in the Perrier Bubble Lounge, many participated in the evening's live social media contest, orchestrated by #MarriottRewards, posting their favorite photos from the night. The lucky winner received a two-night complimentary stay in a Skyline Suite, complimentary dining at the hotel's restaurant Rock & Reilly's, 10,000 Marriott Reward Points, and more.

"The debut of Renaissance New York Midtown brings to life the brand's 'Fearlessly Chic' design philosophy while celebrating the spirit, grit and glamor of the Garment District neighborhood," said Tina Edmundson, Marriott International's Global Officer, Luxury and Lifestyle Brands.  "The collection of celebrities and influencers gathered here this evening, a real-life Navigator's Table hosted by Andrew Zimmern, is a true testament to the hotel's new place within the fabric of New York City."

"To us, as New Yorkers, being part of the debut of the Renaissance New York Midtown is also the renaissance of the Garment District," said B-Roc/JPatt of The Knocks. "We've never performed 'Kiss the Sky' with Wyclef live before, the hotel's huge outdoor terrace felt like a perfect place to make its debut."

The Renaissance New York Midtown is the city's first "living" hotel and is comprised of sensational, ever-changing digital experiences inspired by the fashion and artistic industries in the neighborhood which are an integral and informative element of the design. Specifically designed to interact with visitors from the moment they enter the hotel, the property features ambient intelligent corridors that respond to human movement, digitally enhanced elevator banks, and a never-before-seen Discovery Portal Powered by Time Out that showcases hyper-local neighborhood guides on a user-friendly digital alcove to be accessed with the point of a finger or tap of a foot. A four-story LED digital clock at the top of the building also brings the hotel to life adding a beacon of light to the city's skyline for all to enjoy.

"We're honored to be the show piece of the Renaissance brand and have so many immensely talented and successful New Yorkers helping us celebrate its opening," said David DiFalco, hotel general manager.  "We hope everyone enjoyed not just the performances, but the hotel's singular features like the Discovery Portal, the 'living' digital wall and the 8,000 square-foot outdoor terrace."

Located on 35^th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues, the hotel boasts 348 guest rooms, including seven Executive Suites and one Empire Suite. Each guest room offers a sophisticated neutral palette with pops of purple or grey throughout the bedding and upholstery. With floor-to-ceiling windows, the spacious rooms use pale finishes, maximize natural light, and adhere to an uncluttered aesthetic.  A gradient frosted-glass shower wall separates the all-white Italian marble en-suite bathroom from the sleeping area. 

On the sixth floor guests will find a sleek Lobby Bar, Library Lounge, a clandestine DJ booth and Club Lounge for Elite Marriott Rewards members and preferred guests.  Floor-to-ceiling windows offer magnificent views of the city, while stylized inspirational quotes from fashion greats such as Coco Chanel and Oscar de la Renta painted onto the raw concrete back wall, pay homage to the neighborhood. 

Rock and Reilly's gourmet gastropub, on the fifth floor, offers an 8,000 square-foot outdoor terrace, a rarity in New York City, with a retractable roof, private cabanas, comfortable seating and two fully-stocked bars.

For more information on the Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel, please call 1-212-239-0014 or visit www.newyorkrenaissance.com. 

Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel 
Designed by award-winning Jeffrey Beers International, the 348-room Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel is New York City's first digitally enhanced hotel. Located in the heart of the Garment District at 35^th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues, the hotel will offer hyper-local insider information through the renowned Renaissance Navigator program and combine groundbreaking digital guest experiences with a mix of high-low design elements, celebrating the industrial grit and glamour of the city. Digital highlights of the Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel include a "living" digital tapestry projected along the entrance corridor wall that responds to human motion, a user-friendly Discovery Portal Powered by Time Out connected to the hotel's Navigator program, and a four-story LED clock on the hotel roof, which will be a new fixture of the New York City skyline.  The hotel also boasts The Lobby Bar, Club Lounge for Elite Marriott Rewards members and preferred guests, 4,500 square-feet of meeting space, and Rock and Reilly's gourmet gastropub with an 8,000 square-foot fifth floor terrace and retractable roof. The Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel is operated by 365 Management Company under license from Marriott International, Inc. or one of its affiliates.

Visit us online at www.newyorkrenaissance.com 
Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/renaissancenycmidtown/ 
Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/rennycmidtown 

Renaissance Hotels
At Renaissance Hotels, It's Business Unusual. Each of the brand's nearly 170 hotels, located in nearly 35 countries around the world, is unique and every stay offers unconventional programs that help business travelers discover rich, local experiences. We promise to feed the curiosity, fuel the imagination and excite the senses of our guests, who see their business trip as an exciting opportunity for new, interesting and sharable experiences. We understand their desire to make the most out of every moment and we offer signature events in our lobbies, bars and lounges designed to showcase emerging talent in music, the arts, mixology, gastronomy and more. Renaissance Navigators are neighborhood experts who are ready to assist guests in discovering true local flavors and activities. R.E.N. Meetings offers groups an experience beyond a traditional meeting, rooted in creative sensory meeting design and custom-curated local Navigator excursions and networking events. At Renaissance Hotels, we work to ensure that every trip is transformed into an eye-opening, unforgettable journey. To discover more visit www.renhotels.com. For upcoming events visit www.renhotels.com/events.

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Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with nearly 4,500 properties in 87 countries and territories.  Marriott International reported revenues of more than $14 billion in fiscal year 2015. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, Bulgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels by Marriott™, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and Moxy Hotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together comprise more than 56 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com

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