Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s award-winning travel program and official hotel partner for the Australian Open, is gearing up to host members and guests at the Marriott Bonvoy Hospitality Suite at Melbourne Park, home of the world tennis Grand Slam event over the next two weeks.
The Hospitality Suite blends Marriott International’s renowned service with a fresh restaurant inspired interior and will be a destination for members, VIPs and a host of special guests including Marriott Bonvoy ambassador and former world #1 Ash Barty.
Menus for the Suite have been designed by Australia’s most coveted chefs Adam D’Sylva, Massimo Mele and Guy Grossi. D’Sylva’s food is known for being eclectic, bold and modern with sharp, fragrant flavours designed to be shared. Mele was born in Tasmania with family roots in Italy and leverages this shared upbringing to explore the produce and culinary techniques of both cultures in his food. Grossi is Melbourne born and has been a fixture in Australia’s hospitality scene for decades with his work with Italian cuisine.
All three Chefs have created their own unique hot and cold dishes being served during the tournament. A sample of the menu includes; Guy Grossi serving up Tortellini di Zucca with pumpkin, brown butter and sage, Massimo Mele serving his Polpette al Sugo and Adam D’Sylva creating a Crumbed Chicken Slider to name a few.
Florencia Aimo, Senior Area Director of Marketing – Australia, New Zealand & Pacific said, “Marriott Bonvoy will be turning on a showcase of curated hospitality experiences at Melbourne Park during the Australian Open. To have three incredible chefs from Marriott International restaurants; Lollo, Peppina and Garum is a privilege and I’m excited to see what they serve up for our members and guests throughout the tournament.”
The Suite interiors take you to a retreat-like place which is cemented by three bespoke artworks created by emerging artist, Minna Leunig. Minna is a Geelong-based artist living and working on the traditional lands of the Wathaurong people. Painting with acrylic on canvas, Minna creates playful images inspired by the unique beauty and feeling across a vast array of native Australian landscapes.
Through her paintings, she seeks to spark a sense of appreciation for the natural world as well as an interest in issues relating to environmental conservation, a priority shared by Marriott Bonvoy as part of its Good Travel program to promote positive, sustainable change. Minna’s artworks will be auctioned off post-tournament to three environmental charities: Seed Mob, Australian Wildlife Conservatory and Defend the Wild.
Marriott Bonvoy’s incredible line-up of experiences for the 2023 Summer of Tennis Program aim to fuel the passions of its members, offering culinary, entertainment, lifestyle and sporting experiences that are truly exceptional. This includes premium viewing tickets across marquee matches including both women’s and men’s finals, meet and greets with tennis legends and the opportunity to take photos with the Norman Brooks and Daphne Akhurst trophies, as they drop into the Marriott Bonvoy Hospitality Suite. Guests will also have the incredible opportunity to meet former world number one, Ash Barty, on the evening of the Women’s Finals, with photo opportunities, a Q&A during dinner and merchandise signing.
Marriott Bonvoy have also created two pop-up lobby-like spaces called Premium Experience (PX) by Marriott Bonvoy at the Grand Slam Oval and Garden Square. These exclusive areas will provide VIP guests and Marriott Bonvoy members a styled lobby space to take a moment from the hustle and bustle of Melbourne Park. Marriott Bonvoy members can use the instant redemption program to enable them to use their Marriott Bonvoy points and get access to use the Marriott Bonvoy Lounge.
Chef Backgrounds:
- Adam D’Sylva, who has secured his place as a heavy-hitter on Melbourne’s dining scene, drawing inspiration from his family history and local experience to design menus of contrasting flavours that he grew up eating. Currently Creative Culinary Director of Lollo at W Melbourne, Adam’s story to date is reflected in its menu – eclectic, bold and modern with a chef-driven menu of sharp, fragrant flavours designed to be shared.
- Massimo Mele was born in Tasmania with family roots in Italy, leveraging this shared upbringing to explore the produce and culinary techniques of both cultures. Massimo has brought delicious cuisine to all areas of Australia through pop-up restaurants, and is currently Culinary Director of newly-opened hotel – The Tasman, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart.
- Guy Grossi a Melbourne-born chef and media personality who has been a fixture of Australia’s hospitality scene for decades, and his work with Italian cuisine even earned him the l’insegna del ristorante Italiano – an award bestowed by the President of Italy for his work promoting Italian food and lifestyle. Guy Grossi recently opened his first restaurant in Brisbane, Settimo, which summons the sunny splendour of the Amalfi Coast and transports it to The Westin Brisbane.
