“Alaska is not only the last frontier and biggest state in the U.S. but amongst the smallest in population,” said Tanya Wick, project interior designer with the hotel. “The state’s most populous metropolitan area, Anchorage, where the newly renovated Marriott Anchorage Downtown is located, is an alchemy of nature, water, fire and culture that bring power and drama to the area.”
Public spaces and guestrooms take advantage of the stunning mountain and city views with expansive windows generously placed to allow natural light to fill the property. Artwork and furnishings complement the focus on the natural landscapes, featuring neutral color palettes with pops of bright blue and gray hues, juxtaposing natural wood and leather materials with contemporary designs and thoughtfully curated artistic focal points.
Upon entering the hotel, which is owned and managed by Columbia Sussex, guests are immediately greeted by the transformed ground floor with a redesigned lobby, addition of Marriott’s signature Greatroom and revitalization of the breakfast dining outlet Promenade Café.
The lobby has been designed as an immersive experience for guests to immediately connect with Alaskan culture, featuring unique works of art with wall hangings including salmon brushed metal artwork and framed Native Alaskan parkas. In addition to the natural light flooding the lobby area, dynamic light displays create visual reminders of the Northern Lights.
Beyond the lobby, the Greatroom areas are a highlight and hub of activity for guests. There is 3,500 sq. ft. of lounging space to fit a variety of guest needs from morning until night. Features designed to make guests feel at home in the new Greatroom include communal tables, charging stations, contemporary soft seating arrangements and flat-screen TVs.
All 392 guestrooms, including the McKinley, Talkeetna and Susitna suites—each named for a distinct Alaskan town or landmark—have been renovated to reflect the new design philosophy, using earthy tones with complementing blue and gray palettes, coupled with a contemporary and upscale twist reflecting the Marriott brand’s comfortable, modern aesthetic, according to Wick.
The redesign of the guestrooms included the appointment of entirely new furniture and furnishings. Updates to the guestrooms include thoughtful touches and elements reflective of the Alaskan topography, such as the placement in each room of an abstract canvas painting inspired by the immense vistas of glaciers and Northern Lights.
The property includes nearly 15,000 sq. ft. of event space across six total event rooms with additional breakout rooms. As part of the complete hotel redesign, all of the pre-function event spaces have been refreshed to include new paint and furnishings to bring elements of the Alaskan outdoors into the interior spaces for guests of meetings and events at the hotel.
Tags: Tanya Wick, Columbia Sussex, Marriott Anchorage Downtown
