Tysons Marriott adds ‘bourbon-inspired’ restaurant with $25M hotel renovation

(Updated at 4:10 p.m.) The Marriott in Tysons has finished a $25 million renovation that included redesigns of all 400 hotel rooms, expanded meeting space and the introduction of a new restaurant, the hospitality company announced this morning (Monday).

Replacing Shutters Bar and Kitchen on the hotel’s ground floor, Tysons Rickhouse is described as a “bourbon-inspired” restaurant that serves American food sourced “from the local Virginia area” as well as over 40 kinds of bourbons and whiskeys, according to a press release.

Marriott spokesperson says Shutters was successful, but the company felt the space was in need of a refresh.

“We chose to re-brand the restaurant to be up to date on current food and beverage trends,” Sasha-lee Vos, a senior marketing manager for Marriott, said. “Now, the food is focused on local Virginia flavors and sourced locally as well. We have over 40 bourbons/whiskeys to offer guests and residents, which is unique to the area. Also, we highlight local distilleries and local craft beer on draft.

Located at 8028 Leesburg Pike, the 14-story hotel also has a new fitness center, a 1,750-square-foot meeting room and a lounge for members of the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program:

“The revitalization of our full-service hotel gives loyal Marriott guests a newly transformed option in the historic Washington, D.C. area,” said Tysons Corner Marriott General Manager AJ Atmonavage in the press release. “With our proximity to upscale shopping, numerous corporate offices and historic landmarks, these upgrades have resonated with both business and leisure travelers.”

Work on the renovation began in January 2020 after the hotel was acquired by new owners. Fairfax County records show that the Marriott was built in 1981 and was bought by MTC Hotel Owner LLC in 2018 for $60 million.

“We, along with our owners, felt that a complete renovation would better position us, which it has,” Vos said.

The project’s completion comes as the Tysons Marriott and other local hotels work to recover from the turbulence of the COVID-19 pandemic, which included mass layoffs during the spring of 2020.

Because of the pandemic, the hotel shuttered from March 20 until Sept. 1, 2020 when it typically would’ve stayed open during construction. Despite “a few supply change issues,” the renovation didn’t experience any delays, according to Vos.

Fairfax County has made some efforts to boost the hospitality industry with grants and marketing campaigns, though Visit Fairfax CEO Barry Biggar predicted last summer that it could take until 2023 for business travel in particular to return to pre-pandemic levels.

Nationally, hotel occupancy rates remain down, and room prices are up compared to this time of the year in 2019, according to the data company STR.

More details on the Marriot Tysons renovation from the press release are below:

Staying healthy is made easier for guests at the brand new, state-of-the-art fitness center that includes Peloton bicycles, treadmills, free weights and a hydration station. Other amenities at the Tysons Corner Marriott include electric-car charging stations, a Starbucks Coffee Kiosk offering freshly brewed coffee, enhanced Wi-Fi and ample on-site parking…

…For qualifying Marriott Bonvoy members seeking privacy, the hotel offers an exclusive M Club lounge offering complimentary food and beverage options featuring breakfast, light snacks and hors d’oeuvres. Accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the M Club boasts ample natural light and smartly-designed areas to work, dine, recharge and reconnect.

All guest rooms at the hotel have been completely redesigned with the addition of new hardwood flooring, furniture and fixtures. Each well-appointed guest room features luxurious bedding with cotton-rich linens and fluffy pillows; a modern bathroom with plush towels and large vanities; an HDTV with the Marriott Entertainment Package; numerous outlets and USB ports; Wi-Fi access and a workspace with a large desk and a comfortable desk chair.

Upgrades were also performed in the meeting and event spaces and 1,750 square feet of natural-light space was added with the opening of the Great Falls meeting room. As a part of the hotel redesign, the event areas have been refreshed to include modern furnishings and lighting. The Tysons Corner Marriott now features over 12,000 square feet of functional event space across 15 unique meeting rooms and the ability to accommodate 500 people in its largest event space, the Galleria Ballroom.