Melbourne, Australia – 27 June 2023 – A true rebel between the streets, W Melbourne has always taken the conventional, and turned it on its head. Flipping the notion of escaping to a warmer climate in the winter, W Melbourne is leaning into the cold winters that make the city so special, with a host of new experiences, best served when the temperatures drop outside.  

In winter, Melbourne plays the long game. Locals and visitors layer up in their best winter garb and take to the city to explore the lively laneway bars and cafes, galleries, pop-ups, AFL games, and live music events. Embracing this, W Melbourne has curated a series of new experiences to warm guests up and tap into the resurgence of vinyl and playing on W Hotels' globally renowned passion for music. 

Long Play Package: 

Music Curator Rachel Phillips, and friends at The Gospel Whiskey have come together with W Melbourne to create a special in-room experience as part of The Long Play package. This includes 'Record Service' room delivery, featuring the loan of a record player and vinyl selected by Phillips, along with two cocktails made in collaboration with local Melbourne distillers, The Gospel Whiskey, and the hotels very own cocktail bar, Curious. Try the Boulevardier E.P. made with The Gospel Solera Rye Whisky, Adelaide Hills Roso and Davo Plum Aperitivo or the Old Fashioned L.P. with a touch of Curious winter syrup and bitters. The package is available now, for stays until the 31st of August from $425.00 per night.  

Long Play Listening Bar: 

The Gospel Whiskey are also popping up in the hotel's Extreme Wow Suite, with the Long Play Listening Bar taking place across two nights on the 1st and 2nd of August. Across just two sessions per night, the Extreme Wow Suite will turn into a whiskey drinking haven, with The Gospel leading a masterclass of their range, with the background music being played by avid vinyl enthusiasts and their personal collections on show. Guests will be invited to engage with the DJ and to talk all things vinyl whilst drinking all things whiskey. The $85.00 ticket price includes the 1.5hr masterclass, and a cocktail created by Curious and a look into the hotel's top suite, usually reserved for $8,000 a night.  

Curious X YO! Mafia: 

On Sunday the 30th of July, Curious will become the house of YO! Mafia. The Melbourne DJ is known for her electric party music, and has travelled the globe over the last 20 years and supported the likes of Janet Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Missy Elliott. Not a usual YO! Mafia setting, the night will blend in Curious cocktail table service, and guests can add on a sound themed flight of cocktails when making their booking. Bookings are now live at curiousmelbourne.com.  

YO! Mafia is proudly represented by Melbourne icons, Mushroom Group, who this year celebrate 50 years of making noise in the music and entertainment industry. Founded in 1972 by Michael Gudinski, Mushroom Group is a family-orientated company, a title extending to their artists, staff, and partners. Mushroom is called home to more than 200 of the world's most experienced, creative, and passionate people, who work closely with thousands of artists and organisations worldwide. Mushroom are unparalleled in entertainment and are one of the major reasons Melbourne is the home of music in Australia.  

To celebrate this milestone and showcase the artistic talent that they nurture, W Melbourne will be running a competition to win a secret 'knock-at-the-door' hotel room experience taking place on Monday the 4th of September. The total prize, valued at over $5,000 dollars includes private performance by a Mushroom Group musician, one night's stay in a Fabulous Room with breakfast in Lollo and a late checkout the next day. The winner will be announced on the 14th of August via W Melbourne's Instagram account @wmelbourne. 

THE DETAILS  

LONG PLAY – ROOM PACKAGE  

Inclusions: 

• Overnight stay for two people  
• Two Curious x The Gospel Whiskey Cocktails delivered to room 
• 24hr Loan of a Vinyl Record Player & 5 Vinyl Records – curated by W Melbourne Music Curator, Rachel Phillips  

Rates from - $425.00 per night  

Book via: www.wmelbourne.com  

LONG PLAY LISTENING BAR WITH THE GOSPEL WHISKEY  

Date: 1st of August 2023 and 2nd of August 2023. 

Time: Two sessions per night – 6PM and 8:00PM 

Price: $85.00 per person 

Inclusions:  

• The Gospel Whiskey Cocktail Masterclass 

• A cocktail – created by Curious in collaboration with The Gospel Whiskey  
• Light bar snacks  

Book tickets via: www.wmelbourne.com or direct link to tickets via: https://www.idem.events/v/w-melbourne/products/wlp1aug 

YO! MAFIA x CURIOUS TAKEOVER 

Date: Sunday 30th of July  

Time: From 5PM - 7PM | YO! Mafia from 7PM - 9PM 

Book a table to secure a spot (minimum spend of $50.00 per person) via: www.curiousmelbourne.com  

LONG PLAY COMPETITION  

Prize includes: 

• Private performance by a Mushroom Group music artist 
• One night's stay in a Fabulous Room for two people  
• Continental breakfast in Lollo 
• Late checkout the next day  

The winner to be announced on the 14th of August via @wmelbourne Instagram account 

Enter via: W Melbourne (marketing-marriott.com) 

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About W Hotels  

Born from the bold, 24/7 culture of New York City, W Hotels has redefined hospitality for over two decades, breaking the norms of traditional luxury wherever the iconic W sign lands. With more than 60 hotels around the globe, the detail-driven design, iconic Whatever/Whenever service and buzzing, signature Living Rooms create an experience that is often imitated but never matched. Dynamic and invigorating, the brand celebrates each travelers' desire to uncover the destination through a lens that is distinctly W. For more information on W Hotels, visit whotels.com/theangle or follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. W Hotels is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including complimentary nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com 

About Marriott International 

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of nearly 8,300 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 138 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy®, its highly awarded travel program. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.