Marriott Brings New Autograph Collection to Europe

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One of the newest hotel brands of Marriott International, Inc., the Autograph Collection, is coming to Europe with the addition of four new hotels in Spain, the company announced at the International Hotel Investment Forum. The first four Autograph Collection hotels in Europe are:
• AC Santo Mauro, Madrid, Spain
• AC Palacio del Retiro, Madrid, Spain
• AC Palacio de Santa Paula, Granada, Spain
• AC Baqueira Hotel & Spa, Baqueira, Spain

By May 2011, these four hotels will join the company’s Autograph Collection due to their rich history and unique style as part of a recently announced joint venture with AC Hotels and its portfolio of 9,100 hotel rooms in Europe. The joint venture also includes the launch of a new brand, AC Hotels by Marriott, which will initially be comprised of up to 86 rebranded AC Hotels in Spain, Italy and Portugal, plus the four hotels joining the Autograph Collection.

With the addition of these Autograph Collection properties, the AC Hotels by Marriott portfolio, and a strong pipeline in Europe, Marriott is over a quarter of the way to doubling the number of rooms open or signed in Europe by 2015, a goal announced last year.

AC Santo Mauro in Madrid occupies the premises of an elegant late nineteenth-century building, which was once the residence of the Duke de Santo Mauro. Housing 50 luxurious guestrooms, the hotel is located a stone’s throw from Paseo Recoletos and Buen Retiro Park.

Madrid’s stunning 50-room AC Palacio del Retiro is housed in a twentieth century building and preserves the original mouldings, woodwork and stained-glass windows of the original noble residence.

The luxurious 75-room AC Palacio de Santa Paula is a true restoration masterpiece, located in the historic center of Granada and is housed in the premises of what used to be the Santa Paula Convent, a Moorish house and a Spanish noble house, all fused into one magnificent building within walking distance of La Alhambra.

The charming 102-room AC Baqueira Hotel & Spa will be the first ski resort in Marriott International’s portfolio in Europe, located in Baqueira-Beret ski station looking over the impressive landscape of the Pyrenees.

Daniel Fountain / 03.04.2011

Editor, Hotel Designs

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