A Room with a Clue

Marriott Hotels and the idea engine popularly known as TED are taking their marriage a step further in the coming months as they debut their first-ever immersive experience project outside of a TED conference: The Curiosity Room. Aimed at sparking curiosity and enriching the experience of global travelers, these traveling rooms feature interactive, mind-bending activities integrated into the Marriott Hotels guest room design. 

Recommended for families and friends ages seven and up, guests can book The Curiosity Room by TED now for stays starting July 15 at San Francisco Marriott Marquis. Following the inaugural launch in San Francisco, Guests can also book the discovery-based room at Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park and London Marriott Hotel County Hall later this summer with stays starting on August 15 and September 15, respectively. Each room experience will be live for three months at each location.

Recent social listening research conducted on behalf of Marriott saw a significant year-over-year uptick in searches for #themedrooms (+106%) and “hotel rooms” + themed (+65%), suggesting consumers are craving more distinct and inspiring hotel experiences.

Curious About The Curiosity Room?

Sparking a bit of puzzlement from the start, guests step into this mini-adventure immediately upon entry to the room. The entire room is a puzzle box waiting to be solved. Puzzle elements have been seamlessly hidden within the décor; furnishings, built-ins and the general design flow of the room and solving these conundrums will have its own set surprises and rewards. The puzzles have also been customized according to the three destinations, featuring and celebrating local landmarks, culture, and more. Guests will uncover hidden messages, hunt for puzzle pieces, and experience elements of the room in unexpected ways. A Curiosity Journal can serve as the guide and connection to the one-of-a-kind in-room journey, with hints available in case guests need a helpful hand. When the final challenge has been completed, guests receive a certificate of completion and can celebrate with a complimentary dessert in the hotel’s restaurant.

“This one-of-a-kind adventure further fosters the notion for our guests to stay curious in their travels, opening their minds beyond a typical overnight stay and propel them to explore the destination with renewed desire to learn something new,” noted  Jason Nuell, Senior Vice President of Premium Brands at Marriott. 

Décor elements have been expertly layered into Marriott’s modern, residential guest room design featuring everyday hotel items serving as “keys” to unlock clues to help guests progress through the immersive space. Drawing inspiration from the hotel’s respective destination, the rooms bring drawings by illustrator and artist Caleb Morris, who founded “Welcome to the Neighborhoods” – an art series focused on creating unique connections between people and cities all over the world. The puzzle then becomes a guide of local travel recommendations curated by Marriott Hotels and TED, from the striking architecture of San Francisco to the culture of Bangkok and rich history of London with little take-home souvenirs that add to the charm.

Marriott Hotels has a standing, global partnership with TED since 2016 through TED Talks, TED Fellows Salons and blogs. New TED-Ed content is now available at hotels with video-based lessons that vary by subject and age.

Reservations for The Curiosity Room by TED are available now for the stay dates below:

• San Francisco Marriott Marquis: July 15 – October 16, 2022
• Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park: August 15 – November 15, 2022
• London Marriott Hotel County Hall: September 15, 2022 – January 2, 2023