Whoever you are, wherever you are, you’re welcome at W Hotels. With inclusiveness at the heart of W since it debuted over 20 years ago, the global, trailblazing lifestyle hotel brand is teaming up with Australia’s longest running LGBTQI organisation, the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, to celebrate equality and inspire travellers to love out loud. For the first time, W Hotels will be a major part of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras celebration, showcasing its first-ever float in the 2020 Parade taking place on February 29.
Choreographed by Sydney born Ame Delves, 80 guests – including 20 staff from W Brisbane and the soon-to-open W Melbourne, as well as Marriott Bonvoy members – will dance and march alongside W’s LOVE OUT LOUD float, a super-charged fluoro boom box that celebrates the brand’s bold and playful personality with a colorful, musical homage to individuality and inclusion.
“Since day one, W Hotels has been committed to inclusivity and equality and that sense of acceptance remains at the core of the W DNA,” said Bruce Ryde, Vice President Luxury Brands & Brand Marketing, Asia Pacific, Marriott International. “We are excited to take part in this year’s parade for the first time as both organisations aim to be global leaders lead in promoting diversity, inclusion, equality and social justice through culture and creativity. I cannot wait to see my co-workers, guests and friends of the brand marching, dancing and loving out loud and proud.”
Uniting hundreds of thousands of revelers for Sydney’s biggest night, the iconic march down Oxford Street will feature about 200 dazzling floats. Designed by 160over90, the W Hotels float will feature special guests, international drag superstar Alyssa Edwards (RuPaul’s Drag Race, Dancing Queen) and Australian singer songwriter Vera Blue, joined by local influencers Alfie Arcuri, Megan Dijkman, Michael Finch, Brandon Kilgour, musician KYVA and Lola Van Vorst. Members of Marriott Bonvoy will have access to exclusive Moments including a pre-event glam squad experience, limited-edition W merchandise and entrance to the premium parade viewing spot – W Hotels VIP viewing deck. For a chance to win, members can bid their points at www.moments.marriottbonvoy.com. Those bold and daring members keen to live it up may wish to march in the parade before a night of pumping dance beats and electrifying headliners at the official Mardi Gras after party.
Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO, Albert Kruger added: “With engaging LGBTQI initiatives worldwide and new properties opening around Australia, Mardi Gras is delighted to have W Hotels join us as our new hotel partner. Each year travellers come from across the globe to celebrate with us and we know they’ll be welcomed enthusiastically at W Hotels.”
Known for defying expectations and breaking the norms of traditional luxury, W Brisbane opened its doors in June 2019, with W Melbourne expected to follow suit later this year and W Sydney slated for 2021.
Where to stay for the parade:
