555 Expands Partnership with Hard Rock Hotels
November 30, 2011 - Continuing a long standing relationship with Hard Rock Hotels, Chicago-based 555 International announces several new hotel projects in Panama City, Cancun, Riviera Maya and Puerto Vallarta which will be unveiled beginning in December 2011. Led by 555's President and Founder James Geier, Vice President of Design Karen Herold and Director of Design Development Jim Hartwig, the team will create a contemporary and eye-catching aesthetic for the hotel group including the custom design of new Rock Shops®, Rock Star Suites®, nightclubs, restaurants, bars and lounges. "We're thrilled to be working with these Hard Rock properties and helping to bring a new level of hospitality design featuring world-class amenities in these thriving vacation hot spots," says Geier.
Panama
Opening December 2011 in Panama City, the 64-story Hard Rock Hotel Panama Megapolis will provide guests with an unparalleled experience. The property will include Hard Rock's signature Rock Shop® in the lobby, boasting the brand's famous apparel, along with three individualized Rock Star Suites® designed by 555, and sure to be the coveted rooms for hotel guests. A Hard Rock nightclub experience will also be introduced that will continue to set the precedent by Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos for featuring one-of-a-kind hot spots located in exotic destinations.
Mexico
As an expansion of the successful partnership launched in January 2011 with the opening of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana, a series of existing Palace Resorts properties in Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Maya will be re-branded as the very first all-inclusive Hard Rocks hotels in Mexico - Hard Rock Hotel Cancun, Hard Rock Hotel Puerto Vallarta and Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya. Opening in spring 2012, the Hard Rock Hotel Cancun, a beachside destination with 601 guestrooms, will feature a 555-designed Rock Star Suite®, a dedicated Rock Shop®, Brazilian steakhouse restaurant, lounge and nightclub experience. Located along the stunning Bahia de Banderas beaches, the Hard Rock Hotel Puerto Vallarta will feature 348 guestrooms and boast a new lobby bar, Rock Shop® and nightclub, each designed exclusively by the 555 team. Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya will encompass the marrying of Avenutra Cove Palace and Aventura Spa Palace, each being re-designed to create an individualized look more in line with the new Hard Rock brand. Geared towards families visiting the city, one side of the resort will welcome a newly designed lobby bar and Rock Shop® to add to the sprawling 489-room property that also features a nightclub experience for teenagers and dinner theater. The adults-only side of the property will also undergo a transformation along the Riviera featuring a major nightclub experience with a disco and pool grotto, along with a Rock Shop®, lobby bar and Rock Star Palapa Suites that overlook the water.
About 555 International
555 International has designed some of the world's leading nightclub, restaurant and hotel projects including La Cave at Wynn Las Vegas; Hard Rock Cafe in Tampa, FL; and Sun, Moon, Eclipse and Rock Star Suites at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, the recipient of the 2011 GNEX "Best Interior Design Award" and named Elite Traveler magazine's "World's Top 101 Suites". 555 also successfully collaborated with The Boka Group to design Girl & the Goat, GT Fish & Oyster and Perennial Virant in Chicago; conducted design consultation for Chicago-based Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants; and also designed the iconic Playboy Club, Nove Italiano, Moon Nightclub and N9NE Steakhouse at Palms Casino Resort Las Vegas; and Sam's Smokehouse in Snowmass, CO. In addition, they have also worked with some of the world's leading fashion and sports brands completing projects for J Brand Jeans, A/X Armani Exchange, M Missoni, Valentino, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, and the Aspen Skiing Company. For more information, visit www.555.com.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
