QUEENS, NY—New York LaGuardia Airport Marriott recently unveiled a $30-million, full-scale property renovation that celebrates the diverse community around it. It also aims to capitalize on LaGuardia Airport’s own ongoing refresh.
“Our goal behind this extensive renovation was to substantially improve the experience for our guests,” said Marc Gordon, founder of Rubicon Company, owner of the hotel. “Our visitors now immediately enter a much more vibrant public space with a variety of options for places to sit and work, eat and drink, or to socialize.”
The transformation draws its inspiration from the multinational culinary, arts and cultural scene that comprises the surrounding Queens community, known as the “World’s Borough.”
“It was obvious that we had to weave this wonderful inspiration throughout our entire design, and I think with the help of [design firm] Krause Sawyer, we were very successful,” said Gordon. “It’s tangible in the textiles, patterns and colors used in the guestrooms, lobby and common areas, but also in the overall design elements that may not be as obvious.”
He said that one of his favorite touches is the art wall made up of woven works in the M Club lounge, an area reserved for Elite and Club paying members. “It celebrates a beautiful, historical craft, and alongside the contemporary stone bar, it provides a striking juxtaposition of old and new,” he said. “We wanted to celebrate as many cultures as we possibly could in our design, so you will see everything from Chinese influence in the light fixtures, to African stories told through art, to Greek-inspired columns.”
Each of the property’s 443 guestrooms and suites were renovated. “The design reflects a muted palette of natural tones, and thoughtful yet functional interiors, featuring eye-catching textiles and contrasting organic wood touches,” said Gordon.
The public space—totaling 19,000 sq. ft.—was updated. “Upon arrival, guests are welcomed by a completely reconfigured lobby and reception area featuring a mix of textures, details and patterns in a vibrant color palette,” he said.
The communal areas have soft leather chairs and wooden benches, providing a space for impromptu corporate gatherings or intimate fly-in, fly-out meetings. The seating areas are enhanced by unique metalwork, textile art and rugs.
The hotel’s 15,000 sq. ft. of meeting space was revamped with patterned carpets, inspired by lacework and embroidery, and metal light fixtures evoking handcrafted metals and jewelry, with fiber art lining the walls.
Gordon said he was very excited to introduce the new Ditmars Bar & Grill, named for the boulevard on which the hotel is located. The three-meal restaurant features a menu of modern American fare with regional influences.
The menu highlights a selection of “quick bites,” including avocado toast with salsa fresca and cilantro crème; “shareable” items, such as lobster grilled cheese and open-face pulled pork sliders; and entrees that include pan-seared salmon with quinoa barley pilaf and avocado cream sauce, and a classic filet mignon with bordelaise sauce, herb steak butter, and fingerling potatoes. The restaurant also has several television screens for viewing events at nearby Citi Field and the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
The reimagining of the hotel coincides with the ongoing extensive renovation of the airport it is adjacent to. “We expect the renovation of LaGuardia Airport will make it the newest—and arguably the nicest—airport in the New York City area, with the addition of more mass transit connections, as well as a more effective use of the space,” said Gordon. “This is not just a beautification project, but an overall plan to decrease congestion and make flying in and out, as well as traveling to and from the airport, easier and more efficient. We believe that our newly reimagined Marriott property is among the best in the New York City outer-boroughs area, and the renovation of the two entities combined will make the surrounding area even more attractive to travelers.”
He continued, “We knew this hotel had immense potential to benefit from our repositioning strategy, and we believe it is the best hotel at LaGuardia Airport and maybe the best at any airport in New York City. The property has been completely transformed and is effectively a new hotel that should appeal to business and leisure travelers, as well as locals seeking a stylish experience in a great location.” HB