W Bellevue Powers Up With Industry’s First Video Game

NEW YORK–To power up the opening of W Bellevue in Washington, W Hotels Worldwide, part of Marriott International, is taking the hotel guest experience to the next level–literally. With its newest hotel set in the heart of one of the country’s renowned tech hubs, the brand on June 15 pressed play on the industry’s first ever video game, Belle the Bear. The game offers real-life rewards for top scorers in the United States.

In the Frogger-style adventure game, players explore the natural beauty and tech-centric city of Bellevue, Washington. They help Belle traverse landscapes, cityscapes, and inside W Bellevue. Along her journey, Belle finds herself immersed in a robotic world, encountering drones and robots, all while avoiding (and occasionally embracing) cheeky roadblocks with skillful timing. Hit a cannabis leaf? Belle will turn into a gummy bear. One too many cocktails collected? Belle’s commands become reversed. The game can be played on computers or mobile devices at BelleTheBear.com.

To celebrate the debut of Belle the Bear, gamers and guests alike can try their luck and compete for a variety of prizes from June 15 through July 15, 2017. The five highest scorers in the United States will win prizes, with the top scorer receiving a complimentary three-night stay in the Extreme WOW Suite at W Bellevue, roundtrip airfare for two, dinner for two at The Lakehouse, a $500 shopping spree to The Bellevue Collection, VIP tour and private wine tasting for two at Guardian Cellars, and a private, 75-minute seaplane tour of Western Washington, including stunning views of Lake Washington and Mount Rainier.

“Bellevue is a gamer’s city, so we thought it would be fun to tap into that energy but with a W twist,” said Anthony Ingham, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide. “Creating Belle the Bear, a throwback game with an innovative edge, is just another example of how we are constantly looking for new ways to engage with future W fans on their own turf. Plus, it’s a fun way to celebrate the opening of W Bellevue.”

W Bellevue opens its doors to guests on June 15, touting 220 guest rooms and 25 suites with modern design elements inspired by the Puget Sound’s heritage of lakeside living, such as an oversized fireplace and library of pulp fiction novels. The culinary offerings at The Lakehouse also incorporate local flavor, serving vibrant, farm-inspired craft cooking from James Beard Award-winning Chef Jason Wilson. W Bellevue is the first new-build project from W Hotels to open in the United States in seven years, with more to come.