Video game pioneer Atari signed a deal with the GSD Group to build eight video game-themed Atari Hotels in the U.S., offering a unique lodging experience combining the iconic brand with a one-of-a-kind video game-themed destination. The hotels will offer fully immersive experiences for every age and gaming ability, including the latest in VR and AR. Select hotels will also feature state-of-the-art venues and studios to accommodate esports events.
The first hotel is expected to break ground in Phoenix, AZ later this year.
Hotel development and design is being led by GSD Group founder Shelly Murphy and partner Napoleon Smith III, producer of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film franchise reboot. True North Studio, a leading Phoenix, AZ-based real estate developer – currently working alongside GSD Group with Steve Wozniak’s Woz Innovation Foundation – will develop the first Atari-branded hotel.
“We are thrilled to partner with GSD Group and True North Studio to build the first-ever Atari branded hotels across the United States. Together we’ll build a space that will be much more than just a place to stay,” said Fred Chesnais, CEO of Atari. “Atari is an iconic global brand that resonates with people of all ages, countries, cultures and ethnic backgrounds and we cannot wait for our fans and their families to enjoy this new hotel concept.”
More than 2.5 billion gamers around the world spent more than $152.1 billion on games in 2019, an increase of 9.6% year-over-year. One of the most distinctive trends in gaming is gamers gravitating toward recognizable intellectual property. Atari Hotels aims to offer consumers exactly that, marrying the origins of gaming and the future of the booming industry in a fun and unique travel destination.
“When creating this brand-new hotel concept, we knew that Atari would be the perfect way to give guests the ‘nostalgic and retro meets modern’ look and feel we were going for,” said Smith. “Let’s face it, how cool will it be to stay inside an Atari?”
“Atari Hotels will be the first of their kind in the U.S., offering gamers of all ages the ultimate in immersive entertainment and in every aspect of gaming. We’re excited to be working on this project with such great partners and to bring a big win to Arizona,” added Murphy.
Additional Atari Hotels are planned for Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago, Austin, Seattle, San Francisco and San Jose.
For more information, visit www.atarihotels.com.
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