TAPPING NEXT-GEN STYLE AND CREATIVITY.Bringing the brand’s modern European design and Spanish heritage to urban destinations around the world. AC Hotels by Marriott, Marriott International, Inc.’s upper-moderate-tier lifestyle brand, today announces global plans for 22 new design-led hotels slated to open in 2016, solidifying its position as a leader in the boutique-lifestyle hotel sector catering to the creativity and passions of travelers with a millennial mindset.
January 2016 is expected to bring five AC hotels, AC Guadalajara Mexico; AC Cincinnati North/West Chester, OH; AC Boston North, MA; AC Marseille, France; and AC Queretaro, Mexico.
AC Hotels celebrates the beauty of classic modern designs with its European soul and Spanish roots, born from the signature vision of renowned hotelier Antonio Catalan, who founded the brand in 1998 and grew it into one of the most well-respected hotel brands in Spain. Following its success in Europe, a joint venture was formed with Marriott International in 2011, which launched AC Hotels by Marriott globally into France, Italy, Portugal, Denmark and the U.S.

Based on a belief that purposeful design improves lives, AC Hotels carves away what is unnecessary, in order to provide guests with thoughtfully designed moments of elegance; moments that elevate their stay and help them focus on what is important to them. That is why at all AC Hotels guests get only what they need, without paying for what they don’t. The result is elegant yet unpretentious style, innovative beverage and food programming and locally inspired experiences for both guests and locals.

“AC Hotels by Marriott is a new breed of lifestyle hotels created to inspire the next-generation traveler through innovative design,” explains Tina Edmundson, Global Officer, Luxury and Lifestyle Brands, Marriott International. “Our rapidly growing portfolio of design-led hotels illustrates Marriott International’s commitment to making distinctive architecture and design affordable and accessible for creatives and entrepreneurs around the world– appealing to a large and growing demographic, with a robust development pipeline to match.”

Signature Design
AC Hotels by Marriott is designed for those creative, well-traveled, entrepreneurial spirits who are constantly on the go and who appreciate the oasis of a well-designed hotel that allows them to welcome moments of tranquility, be present and connect with others. Beautiful layers of deep gray and charcoal tones create a sophisticated and modern European sensibility, showcasing a timeless design that is contemporary and sleek. Guest rooms incorporate monochromatic schemes, with clean lines and hardwood floors. Furniture is lifted from the ground to create a sense of space and crisp white linens are used to craft a look that’s both refined and elegant. The AC Lobby features the brand’s signature open-concept spaces and features a thoughtfully selected collection of inviting furnishings, modern designs and textures that evoke the feeling of a well-curated art gallery. Ambient lighting and cozy seating in the AC Library and Lounge areas invites travelers to relax in chic surroundings, while also creating an effortless space in which to conduct a business meeting or connect with friends over cocktails. Each AC Hotel is designed to reflect the uniqueness and character of its urban location.

Beverage and Food Programming
At AC Hotels, premium touches are balanced with comfortable service. A signature element of the hotel includes an innovative beverage and food program within its AC Lounge. A twist on the traditional hotel bar, the experience includes offerings of local craft beers, specialty wines on tap, expertly made signature cocktails and a selection of tapas-style small bites.
Located adjacent to the AC Lounge, the AC Kitchen serves a European-inspired Continental breakfast selection of flaky croissants, savory egg tarts and Nespresso coffee. A signature piece in all AC Hotels is the Berkel slicer, offering visitors hand-cut meats including artisanal La Quercia Prosciutto for a true taste of Europe.

AC Library
The AC Library provides a quiet space to linger and peruse the selection of inspiring titles that line the shelves, ranging from modern art to design, all in a soothing environment. Each AC Library features a rotating selection of specially selected reads by guest curators. Currently, Nigel Barker’s handpicked reading list rests at AC Hotel Miami Beach.

Additional Amenities
Complimentary Wi-Fi is offered for guests and locals to work, connect, explore and socialize. When a private meeting area is needed, guests can book a variety of spaces, which vary in size and are equipped with the latest audio-visual technology. State-of-the-art fitness centers and on-site parking round out the hotels’ offerings.

AC Hotels by Marriott guests who are enrolled in the award-winning Marriott Rewards loyalty program are able to earn points during their hotel stays that can be redeemed for free holidays, flights, hotel rooms and merchandise, including jewelry, home furnishings, fashion and more.

AC Hotels by Marriott is a lifestyle brand within the Marriott International global portfolio of 19 brands. The brand currently offers a portfolio of more than 80 hotels in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Denmark, Turkey, France and the United States. Growth plans include more than 50 hotels set to open within the next three years throughout the U.S., Canada and Latin America. AC Hotels by Marriott debuted its first U.S. location in November 2014 in the iconic Cotton Exchange Building in New Orleans, followed by AC Kansas City in March 2015, AC Hotel Washington D.C. at National Harbor in April 2015, AC Chicago in May 2015, and AC Hotel Miami Beach in June 2015.
Marriott’s Luxury and Lifestyle portfolio also accounts for approximately 25 percent of Marriott’s system-wide development pipeline, representing over $15 billion of investment by the company’s owners and franchisees. Future plans call for more than 250 additional luxury and lifestyle hotel projects over the next several years.

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 4,300 properties in 81 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands.

Additional properties expected to open in 2016 include:
AC Panama City, Panama
AC San Jose Downtown, CA
AC Atlanta North, GA
AC Asheville, NC
AC Rio Barra de Tijuca, Brazil
AC Rio Porto Maravilha, Brazil
AC Herzliya, Israel
AC Birmingham England, UK
AC Boston Cambridge, MA AC Phoenix Tempe, AZ
AC Santiago, Chile
AC Manchester England, UK
AC Des Moines Downtown, IA
AC Santa Fe, Mexico
AC Minneapolis, MN
AC Mainz, Germany
AC Wroclaw, Poland