Luxury Group by Marriott International announces a landmark collaboration with the renowned international auction house, Sotheby’s – “Iconic Pieces. Extraordinary Experiences.
” This first-of-its-kind collaboration will see the Luxury Group – which encompasses the unrivalled portfolio of eight hotel brands including The Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, EDITION, The Luxury Collection, JW Marriott, and W Hotels – pairing world-class hospitality with exceptional treasures from Sotheby’s auctions.
Sotheby’s Luxury Sales showcases iconic collector’s items across jewellery, fashion and handbags, watches, wine & spirits, and other objects d’art, while the Luxury Group unlocks doors to incomparable destinations and travel experiences. The collaboration between the storied brands illustrates their commitment to curating once-in-a-lifetime moments that define the essence of luxury and resonate with collectors and explorers alike. It additionally underscores the natural synergy between Sotheby’s, which offers an extensive range of luxury categories, and the Luxury Group’s portfolio, which boasts diverse programming spanning an unmatched international footprint.
“There is an incredible synergy between the Luxury Group and Sotheby’s as both are underpinned by a similar passion for pioneering transformative offerings that tap into the diverse cultural passions of our clientele,” said George Hammer, Global Head of Luxury Marketing, Marriott International. “We have always believed hospitality to be an art in and of itself, challenging us to reimagine the ways we engage with our guests. By blurring the lines between tangible and intangible luxuries, “Iconic Pieces. Extraordinary Experiences.” will continue to converge the two worlds.”
To launch this innovative collaboration, the Luxury Group will bring incomparable travel experiences to Sotheby’s global community of collectors as the Presenting Partner of The Luxury Sales. The Luxury Group will craft imaginative, once-in-a-lifetime itineraries inspired by the diverse categories represented at Sotheby’s Luxury Sales, including, fashion, jewellery, watches, wines, and spirits. The inaugural experiences include Whiskey Reverie: Presented by The Ritz-Carlton, blending the sophisticated luxury hospitality brand with the craftsmanship of artisanal whiskey, and Alexander McQueen Discovery: Presented by EDITION, inviting fashion aficionados to dually explore London through the lens of the pioneering luxury travel and lifestyle brand and Lee Alexander McQueen, the visionary fashion designer and couturier.
Guests will be able to bid for these experiences through Sotheby’s Sealed, an innovative online platform that combines the discretion of a private sale with the competitive excitement of an auction. Its collaboration with the Luxury Group marks the first time Sotheby’s is auctioning experiences through its Sealed program, demonstrating the mutual dedication to innovation from both brands.
The collaboration between the Luxury Group and Sotheby’s will offer elite access to exclusive events and offers for VIPs of both brands, including private masterclasses hosted within the most prestigious spaces and suites of the Luxury Group’s properties. The masterclasses will provide an intimate setting to experience the Luxury Group’s premier hospitality and engage with iconic auction pieces with insights from Sotheby’s specialists before they go under the hammer.
The initial masterclass, Whiskey & Watches, will kick off at Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad where guests will be introduced to some of the most valuable American whiskies on the market and a prestigious single-owner collection of timeless timepieces, within one of the most iconic suites in New York City. The Luxury Group and Sotheby’s will also collaborate on an exclusive jewellery masterclass in the Presidential Suite of the recently transformed St. Regis New York. The private masterclass will showcase select jewellery treasures on offer in Sotheby’s Important Jewels auction to members of Vogue100, a collective of fashion and beauty’s foremost female voices. Following these masterclasses, the Luxury Group will expand its partnership with Sotheby’s in December 2024, focusing on The Luxury Sales in New York City.