The 878-room JW Marriott Hotel on the campus of LA Live opened Monday night, as scheduled. With plans first unveiled in June 2006, the opening of the venue signals a likely sea change in how people experience visits to next door's Staples Center, as well as in LA's ability to draw revenue from tourism and conventions.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, LA Live's operating company AEG's CEO Tim Leiweke said: "You are witnessing an industry that will experience a 300% growth with the opening of this hotel. This city now will act like it should, the second-largest city in the United States and the best place to bring events and conventions anywhere in North America," according to Blogdowntown.
Inside the JW Marriott is a restaurant for which acclaimed local chef Kerry Simon serves as consultant, and the menu was up for grabs during an evening event on Monday to celebrate the hotel's opening.
In just four weeks the jewel will be fitted firmly in the crown of LA Live, when the 123 rooms of the posh Ritz-Carlton Hotel will open, with their 224-unit Residences to follow shortly after.
