AC Hotels By Marriott Announce First Hotel in France

Brand Poised To Expand Across Europe and Latin America

Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) today announced plans to open the first new hotel to join the AC Hotels by Marriott portfolio since the launch of the joint venture and new co-brand last year. Joining over 80 existing AC Hotels by Marriott throughout Spain, Italy and Portugal, the 143-room Elysee Palace Hotel in Nice will be rebranded AC Hotel Nice following an extensive renovation. The hotel is expected to open in early 2013 under a management agreement with SNC Hoche Promotion. 

Read more

Make a Resolution to Get Away

Save 20 Percent on Marriott's European Winter Weekend Breaks

As the New Year approaches, Marriott International is celebrating by offering great seasonal deals for stays at a wide range of its European hotels between January and April, with its great value winter sale. Guests can save 20 percent off weekend breaks throughout the winter period, making early 2012 the perfect time to get away.

Participating brands include JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance Hotels, Autograph Collection, Courtyard by Marriott, AC Hotels by Marriott and Residence Inn.

To take advantage of this great offer, for stays at participating hotels between 6 January and 15 April 2012, rooms must be booked between 1 January 2012 and 6 February 2012. With more than 260 hotels across Europe to choose from, what better reason for a great winter weekend away? Sample rates include:

UK - The Peak District, from £112/€134 for a bed & breakfast overnight stay
A stately residence dating back to the 13th century with beamed farmhouse style rooms, Breadsall Priory, a Marriott Hotel & Country Club is only a 35 minute drive from Chatsworth House and Alton Towers. Set within 300 acres of idyllic landscape, guests can enjoy the award-winning Priory Restaurant with an ancient wine cellar, tee-off at one of its two golf courses, take a dip in its indoor heated swimming pool and rejuvenate at the newly refurbished spa.

Germany – Berlin, from £117/€139 for a bed & breakfast overnight stay
Ideally located within the city centre on the Potsdamer Platz, the newly refurbished Berlin Marriott Hotel is in close proximity to the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Cathedral and the Berlin Wall Museum – making it the ideal base to explore the city. Cocktail lovers will also delight at its Catwalk Bar – Germany’s first fashion bar. Designed by renowned German fashion designer, Michael Michalsky, the Catwalk Bar has fast become one of the hottest new hangouts for the city’s fashionistas.

Spain – Toledo, from £74/€88 for a bed & breakfast overnight stay
Situated in a UNESCO world heritage 80 kilometres south of Madrid and with panoramic views of the city, the AC Hotel Ciudad de Toledo is the perfect setting for a traditional Spanish retreat. Designed in keeping with the architectural style of the historic Valle de Toledo, the hotel is a five-minute walk from the historical city centre. Its El Balcón de Toledo restaurant serves a mouth-watering range of dishes from La Manchega region.

For further information or to make a reservation, please visit www.marriott.co.uk.

Terms & Conditions

• All rates are subject to VAT applicable in their market, please check individual hotels for more information 
• Offer valid for Stay for Breakfast room rate and tax only
• Limited number of rooms may be available at time of booking and offer is subject to availability 
• Stay and breakfast is included for children under 12 years, stay is included for children aged between 12 and 16  years, applicable when sharing with adults subject to suitable rooms 
• Day of week and length of stay availability may vary based on location.  
• Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion or voucher.

The 20% discount applies to Stay for Breakfast room rate. Must quote promotional code C9E to receive the promotional rate. Promotional rates are valid for weekend stays, Thursday through Sunday for reservations booked between January 1, 2012 and February 12, 2012, for stays from January 6, 2012 to April 15, 2012 at participating JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection®, Renaissance® Hotels, AC by Marriott, Marriott® Hotels & Resorts, Courtyard by Marriott®, Residence Inn in Europe. 

Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.  
 
Connect with elizabeth.caminiti@marriott.com

Read more

AC Hotels by Marriott Joins Marriott Rewards®

Marriott Rewards Members Can Now Earn & Redeem Points at More Than 80 Additional Hotels in Europe

Beginning today, AC Hotels by Marriott becomes the newest participating brand in Marriott Rewards, Marriott International’s award-winning guest loyalty program.  With the addition of more than 80 AC Hotels by Marriott, Marriott Rewards members now have greatly expanded choice when traveling throughout Spain, Portugal and Italy.  

“Our members have long desired more travel opportunities in Europe.  The more than 80 AC Hotels by Marriott locations now provide our members with one of the largest portfolios of hotels in the region as well as over 3,500 locations around the globe,” said Ed French, senior vice president, Marriott Rewards. “We look forward to welcoming Marriott Rewards members at AC Hotels by Marriott and giving them experiences that only membership can provide.”

AC Hotels by Marriott was launched earlier this year through a joint venture between Marriott International and Spanish group, AC Hotels.  Marriott Rewards currently offers a vast array of choices among its 13 distinct brands, which range from luxury to moderately-priced options.  

To celebrate the launch, new customers who sign up for Marriott Rewards while staying at any AC Hotel by Marriott by January 31, 2012 will be automatically registered for an exclusive promotion.   These new members can earn a free night stay at one of thousands of category 1-4 hotels worldwide by completing just one additional stay at any Marriott Rewards participating hotel.*   All AC Hotels by Marriott are also offering 15% off room rates through 8 January 2012 for reservations booked and paid seven to 14 days in advance (varies by hotel). For more information and bookings, please visit www.marriott.com and use promotional code ADV.

Members can earn and redeem points and receive Elite night credit and Elite member benefits when staying at AC Hotels by Marriott.  When staying at AC Hotels by Marriott all Elite members receive priority late check-out and Marriott Rewards point bonuses on base points earned.  In addition, Gold Elite members receive complimentary internet access, room type guarantee and room upgrade based on availability at check-in.  Platinum Elite members receive all of the benefits mentioned as well as the choice of an arrival gift of 250 bonus Marriott Rewards points or food and beverage option and 48-hour guaranteed availability.

AC Hotels by Marriott reflect the modern urban lifestyle with hotels featuring a unique blend of quality, comfort, design and technology. All AC Hotels by Marriott welcome guests with their signature AC Lounge, offering complimentary Wi-Fi in public spaces and providing a great place to relax, work or unwind with a drink or snack. Guestrooms in AC Hotels by Marriott feature a contemporary look and feel with crisp white bedding, gleaming wood floors, modern bathrooms and free mini-bar.

Marriott Rewards is free to join.  The program has no blackout dates and members can earn and redeem points at over 3,500 Marriott International hotels around the world.  Members may also choose to earn airline miles or redeem points for miles with more than 30 airline mileage programs.  In addition to hotels and frequent flyer miles, members can also redeem points for merchandise, cruises, car rentals and more. 

Marriott Rewards won the 2011 and 2010 Frequent Travel Award and 2009 Freddie Award for “Best Hotel Rewards Program,” and has been named best hotel rewards program by the readers of Business Traveler, Global Traveler, Executive Travel and BusinessWeek magazines.

For information about Marriott Rewards, guests can call 1-800-450-4442 in the U.S. or 44 (0) 20 7584 5500 Europe or visit MarriottRewards.com.

*A “stay” is defined as consecutive nights spent in the same hotel, regardless of check-in/check-out activity.

Free Night Stay E-Certificate is valid for hotels in categories 1-4. For participating category 1-4 locations, log on to MarriottRewards.com. The E-Certificate must be redeemed within 6 months from date of issue. E-Certificates may not be transferred, extended beyond the expiration date, or re-credited for points.

Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

Connect with laurie.goldstein@marriott.com

Read more

The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, Washington, D.C. Offers New Dining and Meeting Space

In response to greater guest demand, The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, Washington, D.C. is making changes to its current design.  Fahrenheit restaurant is undergoing a transformation into permanent banquet rental space and when it reopens on November 1, 2011, will be newly coined as Fahrenheit Ballroom.  The hotel’s bar and lounge, currently called Degrees Bar & Lounge, will re-open as a three meal restaurant and bar called Degrees Bistro.

“Over the past year we have seen a significant increase in demand for rental of Fahrenheit restaurant for corporate and social events,” said General Manager Grant Dipman.  “This acclamation confirms the success of Fahrenheit in the group and social catering market and has prompted us to seize a great opportunity to increase group room nights and improve our food and beverage revenue.  This makes good business sense and allows us to provide our guests with greater flexibility along with positioning our hotel to achieve long term financial success.”

Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the hotel’s new restaurant, Degrees Bistro, will feature a traditional French bistro menu with an innovative cocktail and wine list created by the hotel’s Executive Chef Quang Duong and seasoned bar team.  Since February 2007 Chef Quang has served as the hotel’s executive chef with oversight of the restaurant, banquet and in-room dining operations and he will continue to oversee these three outlets.  Chef Quang’s new menu will include locally inspired items such as a Maryland Chesapeake Blue Crab Cake Sandwich and Chesapeake Striped Bass, along with French Bistro classics like Roasted Chicken Grand Mere, French Onion Soup with Gruyere Cheese and Steak Frites with Béarnaise Sauce. 

The new restaurant design will complement the current industrial chic style with classic bistro tables and banquette seating for 46 guests along with the bar and lounge seating for up to 20 guests.  Degrees Bistro will be the epitome of what discerning diners desire in an upscale, casual restaurant: simple, yet sophisticated food coupled with an effortless wine and beverage program, delivered by friendly, professional wait staff in a relaxed setting.  Diners can unwind in the simple, yet modern comfort of this neighborhood eatery while enjoying a savory lunch or dinner at the hip bar or in one of the stylish banquettes located throughout the dynamic environment.

There will be no changes to the hotel’s Lobby Lounge located in the main lobby.  The peaceful refuge reminiscent of a large familial living room with plush couches and a homey ambiance will continue to provide a sense of community in the heart of the hip, historic Georgetown neighborhood.  Guests can order from the Lobby Lounge menu with bar snacks, cocktails and wine, or they may order a full lunch or dinner entrée from Degrees Bistro. 

As banquet space, Fahrenheit Ballroom will be able to accommodate meetings for up to 75 guests, and receptions and dinners for up to 120 guests.  Long considered one of Washington, D.C.’s most unique spaces, the oversized loft-like room features exposed steel beams and original red brick walls reminiscent of the hotel’s history as a turn-of-the-century brick factory structure that later served as an incinerator.  From private board sessions to product launches, company-wide celebrations, weddings, and other social catering events, Fahrenheit Ballroom and its team of dedicated meetings and catering professionals will continue to ensure the highest level of guest service and that all events are memorably excellent. 

For more information about The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, Washington, D.C., please visit http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Georgetown/

Connect with colleen.evans@marriott.com

Read more

AC Hotels by Marriott Now Bookable on Marriott.com

Madrid  -– Today Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR)  and the Spanish hotel group AC Hotels formally launched their joint venture and new co-brand, AC Hotels by Marriott. A portfolio of 85 existing AC Hotels in Spain, Italy and Portugal have been re-branded AC Hotels by Marriott and are now accepting reservations through all of Marriott’s distribution channels, including Marriott.com. 

In Madrid for the celebration, J. W. Marriott, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Marriott International, Inc. said, “I am thrilled to be here today for the launch of our exciting new brand, AC Hotels by Marriott, and to officially welcome this stylish new portfolio of hotels into our Marriott family. AC Hotels by Marriott is a great partnership and we are thrilled to deliver 85 new hotel choices to our loyal Marriott customers throughout Spain, Italy and Portugal.”

The 9,000 room AC Hotels by Marriott venture is a significant driver of Marriott’s European growth strategy and five-year goal of reaching 80,000 rooms in Europe by 2015. 

Antonio Catalan, chairman and founder of AC Hotels said, “Today marks the start of a new era. We are proud to be part of the Marriott global family of brands and will together be aggressively pursuing development opportunities for AC Hotels by Marriott throughout Europe and Latin America.”

AC Hotels by Marriott reflect the modern urban lifestyle with hotels featuring a unique blend of quality, comfort, design and technology. All AC Hotels by Marriott welcome guests with their signature AC Lounge, offering complimentary Wi-Fi; it is a great place to relax, work or unwind with a drink or snack. Guestrooms in AC Hotels by Marriott feature a contemporary look and feel with crisp white bedding, gleaming wood floors, modern bathrooms and free mini-bar.

To celebrate the launch, all AC Hotels by Marriott are offering 15% off room rates through 8 January 2012 for reservations made seven to 14 days in advance (varies by hotel). For more information and bookings, please visit www.marriott.com and use promotional code ADV.

Starting in late 2011, AC Hotels by Marriott will also be part of Marriott Rewards, Marriott International's award-winning guest loyalty program, with over 35 million members. Marriott Rewards members will be able to earn and redeem points at AC Hotels by Marriott.

Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

NOTE:  The statement about the number of new hotels to be added in Europe by 2015 is a “forward looking statement" within the meaning of federal securities laws, not a historical fact, and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the continuation and pace of the economic recovery; supply and demand changes for hotel rooms; competitive conditions in the lodging industry; relationships with clients and property owners; the availability of capital to finance hotel growth and refurbishment; and other risk factors identified in our most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q; any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by our statement.  This statement is made as of the date of this press release, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Read more

Marriott International’s Annual Report “Opens Doors” to Stunning Hotels Worldwide

Video Message for 2010 Report Showcases Company’s Global Reach

Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) features some of the most eye-catching hotels in the world in its just-issued interactive 2010 Annual Report online at www.marriott.com/investor. 

The report includes an executive discussion of the company’s business, a comprehensive overview of Marriott’s 18 brands, and easy-to-navigate financial and performance information.  Another highlight—exclusive to the online version— is a 5-minute engaging video with Chairman and CEO Bill Marriott and President and COO Arne Sorenson, who along with Marriott’s global team of associates, virtually “open doors” to some of the company’s global portfolio of hotels.    

Read more

New AC Hotels by Marriott Brand Formally Launches Joint Venture; Aims for Aggressive Growth in Europe and Latin America

Today the Spanish hotel group AC Hotels and Marriott International, Inc. formally announced their joint venture to manage and franchise a new lodging co-brand across Europe and Latin America  – “AC Hotels by Marriott.”

At launch, over 90 existing AC Hotels in Spain, Italy and Portugal will be re-branded as AC Hotels by Marriott and enter into long term management or franchise agreements with the joint venture. 

Read more