Historic Hotel Celebrates Washington's Rockwell Exhibit With Special Rooms Package, Dinner Menu
Company Press Release
July 7, 2000
WASHINGTON, DC -- The historic Willard Inter-Continental Hotel, recognized by the Travel Channel as ``America's
Grand Hotel,'' is offering a discounted rooms package this summer starting at $209 that includes two tickets to
see the work of one of America's favorite artists -- Norman Rockwell -- at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. Also, the
hotel's fine dining restaurant will be featuring a ``Rockwell at The Willard Room'' dinner menu for $49 per person.
``Norman Rockwell's art so well captures the American spirit,'' says General Manager Jean-Jacques Reibel, ``that
we thought it only natural to celebrate the Pictures for the American People exhibit at our hotel, which in itself
is a landmark to American history.''
Rockwell was a guest at the Willard Hotel nearly 50 years ago when he visited Washington, D.C., to meet with President
Eisenhower, according to the artist's son, Peter Rockwell. ``When they told me I was going to be staying at the
Willard Inter-Continental during the opening, it triggered a recollection of my father visiting here and talking
about the Willard,'' he said. ``My father always did stay at the best hotels in town.''
The ``Rockwell Option'' will be offered at the Willard Inter-Continental seven days a week through September 1,
2000, based on availability. This is an extra option the hotel added into its standard ``Inter-Continental Summer
Options'' rooms package. For reservations, call the Willard Inter-Continental at (202) 628-9100.
``Rockwell at The Willard Room,'' a three-course dinner menu created by Executive Chef Gerard Madani and Manager
Francisco Nieto, connects each dish with a different Rockwell painting from the exhibit. The entree, ``Roasted
Whole Squab with `Abstract' Sauce,'' is presented on a square white plate drizzled with multiple-colored sauces
to replicate Jackson Pollock's famous drip painting, which is celebrated in Rockwell's 1962 painting ``The Connoisseur.''
Call The Willard Room for reservations at 202/637-7440.
Norman Rockwell: Pictures for the American People is expected to be one of the major fine arts events of the summer
in Washington, D.C. The exhibit features more than 70 of Rockwell's oil paintings and all 322 of his Saturday Evening
Post covers. It also explores Rockwell's unparalleled role as an American icon-maker and storyteller.
``Summer Options'' are available this summer at 300 Inter-Continental and Crowne Plaza hotels worldwide, and include
a choice of complimentary parking, full American breakfast for two daily, room upgrade to Club Inter-Continental
or a junior suite, additional guest room at half price, 500 bonus frequent flyer miles or 2,000 bonus Priority
Club points.
The Willard Inter-Continental is one of 123 Inter-Continental hotels located throughout six of the world's seven
continents. Inter-Continental is Bass Hotels & Resorts' upscale lodging brand, and one of the leading hotel
brands in the global marketplace, with more than 43,000 guestrooms located in 70 countries. Bass Hotels & Resorts(SM),
the hotel business of Bass PLC of the United Kingdom, operates or franchises more than 2,800 hotels and 450,000
guest rooms in more than 90 countries and territories.
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Contact:
The Willard Inter-Continental
Kristina Messner, 202/637-7309