JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts has partnered with Christie’s to present a curated event series that highlights luxury goods and high-end shopping experiences. Christie’s, known for staging auctions around the world, offers sales that span fine art, rare collectibles and fine wine, with estimates ranging from modest lots to pieces valued at over $100 million. The new “Conversations with Christie’s” program combines in-person events at JW Marriott properties with a companion video and editorial series aimed at collectors and guests with an interest in luxury markets.
Each participating JW Marriott will host its own themed evening where items from Christie’s catalog are displayed and made available for purchase. A Christie’s specialist leads each gathering, providing expert commentary, provenance details and educational context about the works and objects on view. The format is designed to be accessible to newcomers while offering depth for experienced collectors.
The inaugural event took place at the JW Marriott London Grosvenor House and featured a curated selection of vintage handbags from coveted maisons such as Hermès and Chanel. Future program dates include an event at the JW Marriott Chicago on Sept. 27, which will spotlight baseball memorabilia, and a November 18 presentation at the JW Marriott Hong Kong that will showcase handcrafted timepieces from distinguished watchmakers including Patek Philippe and Rolex.
Complementing the live evenings, the video series was filmed at Christie’s flagship office in New York and captures interviews with Christie’s specialists and behind-the-scenes perspectives on the auction process. These videos, released across Marriott brand channels, aim to deepen viewers’ understanding of collecting practices, market trends and what drives value in luxury categories.
“The Conversations with Christie’s series provides a unique insight into the world of collecting and auctions through the eyes of several leading experts,” said Lydia Fenet, international director of strategic partnerships at Christie’s. Her remarks underscore the program’s focus on education and personal engagement, offering guests a chance to learn directly from industry professionals.
Mitzi Gaskins, vice president of luxury brand management and guest experience for Marriott International, emphasized the program’s long-running collaboration with Christie’s. “We originally launched our partnership with Christie’s in order to deliver enriching experiences around art and culture at JW properties around the world. More than five successful years later, we are excited to introduce Conversations with Christie’s, which speaks to the personal interests and passions of both guests and Christie’s clients,” she said. Gaskins highlighted how the series extends the hotels’ mission to provide culturally rich programming that resonates with discerning travelers.
The series is intended to serve multiple audiences: hotel guests seeking memorable cultural events, collectors looking for acquisition opportunities, and individuals curious about the stories and craftsmanship behind luxury goods. By combining live displays with expert commentary and a digital video component, the program creates layered access to the auction world and the objects that circulate within it.
Events will vary by location, reflecting regional interests and the specialties of available Christie’s consignments. Attendees can expect a thoughtfully staged evening with opportunities to view items up close, ask questions of specialists and learn about auction logistics such as condition reports, provenance research and bidding processes. The educational focus aims to demystify auctions and encourage informed collecting.
In addition to the themed evenings and video content, the partnership highlights how hospitality brands and auction houses can collaborate to expand the reach of cultural programming. For JW Marriott, the alliance with Christie’s reinforces the brand’s emphasis on curated, high-quality guest experiences that go beyond traditional lodging services.