Marriott Hotels, the signature flag of Marriott Bonvoy's extraordinary portfolio of 30 brands, has furthered its partnership with TED through its award-winning educational extension TED-Ed, to debut its first-ever immersive guest experience. To spark curiosity and enrich the experience of global travellers, The Curiosity Room by TED integrates interactive, mind-bending activities into the iconic Marriott Hotels guestroom design.
Reservations can be made now for stays starting 15 July at San Francisco Marriott Marquis. Following the inaugural launch in San Francisco, guests can also book the discovery-based room at Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen's Park and London Marriott Hotel County Hall later this year, with stays starting on 15 August and 15 September, respectively. Each immersive room experience will be available for three months at each location.
According to recent social listening research conducted on behalf of Marriott, there has been a significant year-over-year uptick in searches for #themedrooms (+106 percent) and "hotel rooms" + themed (+65percent), suggesting consumers want more distinct and inspiring hotel experiences.
Upon setting foot into the room, the adventure immediately begins. The entire space is a puzzle simply waiting to be deciphered. As guests unmask hidden messages and hunt for puzzle pieces seamlessly hidden within the décor, they will eventually be led to a grand finale and series of surprises and rewards. The room's Curiosity Journal serves as the guide and connection to the unique in-room journey, with hints available in case guests need a helping hand. When the final challenge has been conquered, guests will be awarded a certificate of completion and can celebrate with a complimentary dessert in the hotel's restaurant.
"Marriott Hotels has always been a place where guests can be inspired at every corner of their experience, and we've taken that to the next level with TED's award-winning, educational arm TED-Ed," said Jason Nuell, Senior Vice President, Premium Brands, Marriott International. "This one-of-a-kind adventure further fosters the notion for our guests to stay curious in their travels, opening their minds beyond a typical overnight stay and propelling them to explore the destination with a renewed desire to learn something new."
Each of the three destinations will feature customised puzzles, featuring and celebrating local landmarks, culture, and more. The spaces will feature eye-catching drawings inspired by the hotel's respective location by illustrator and artist Caleb Morris, the founder of 'Welcome to the Neighborhoods' – an art series focused on creating unique connections between people and cities worldwide. In addition, each room will feature various moments of wonder and a guide of local travel recommendations curated by Marriott Hotels and TED that encourage exploration beyond the guestroom – from the remarkable architecture of San Francisco to the culture of Bangkok and the rich history of London. Guests can take home some souvenirs, such as the travel guide, to leave a lasting impression of the trip.
"Watching millions of people view and share TED-Ed's educational animated videos online every day is a profoundly rewarding experience for our team of creators," said TED-Ed's founding and executive director, Logan Smalley. "What excites me about our partnership with Marriott Hotels, though, is that it will enable families worldwide, for the first time ever, to experience a totally unique version of TED-Ed in person. I think everyone who participates will gain, in the most tantalisingly fun way possible, a deeper understanding and appreciation of TED-Ed and their destination, and I'm grateful to Marriott Hotels for making that possible."
The longstanding global partnership between Marriott Hotels and TED began in 2016 by distributing TED Talks and TED Fellows Salons, blogs, and original quotes to hotel guests globally and has continued to advance each year with new elements of the partnership. Guests staying at Marriott Hotels have access to bespoke content expertly curated by TED, with selected themes that are topical and relevant, including innovation, travel, entrepreneurship, and more. Specifically, new TED-Ed content will now be available at hotels with video-based lessons that vary by subject and age.
