Marriott International to expand with luxury and lifestyle hotels
Marriott International is to add more than 200 hotels to its global portfolio of luxury and lifestyle hotels, over the next three years.
The company said that the expansion in this segment of the market, across eight brands from a current total of 449 hotels, amounts to an investment of $15b (£8.9b) by owners and franchisees.
Arne Sorenson, president and chief executive of Marriott International, said that the luxury and lifestyle category is stronger than ever, with a continuing demand from guests worldwide.
"Next generation travellers are poised to comprise more than 60% of our business over the next four years, and already represent a broad spectrum of diverse cultures and lifestyles that view travel as an important way to enrich their lives. Our approach to the luxury and lifestyle segment embraces this trend and is shaping our development strategy."
"We have put the power of Marriott behind the growth of iconic brands such as The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, as well as newer brands including Edition, Autograph Collection and AC Hotels by Marriott.
"At the same time, the company continues to introduce new brands such as Moxy Hotels, and continues to evolve its Renaissance Hotels brand globally. We are delighted with the success of these tremendous brands, part of our aggressive strategy to lead in the luxury and lifestyle category."
The most recent luxury and lifestyle hotel from Marriott to open in the UK was the London Edition in September 2013, which will be followed by two properties in London and Aberdeen under the new Moxy brand. Moxy is described by Marriott as "a fresh and innovative lifestyle hotel brand combining stylish design and approachable service at a reasonable price".
The 449 luxury and lifestyle hotels by Marriot International include The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company (89), Bulgari Hotels (3), Edition (2), JW Marriott Hotels (64), Autograph Collection (60), Renaissance (157), AC Hotels by Marriott (72), and Protea Fire & Ice Hotels (2). Moxy Hotels will become the ninth brand within the luxury and lifestyle sector when it launches in Milan in the autumn.
The complete portfolio on Marriott International incorporates more than 4,000 hotels across 77 countries.
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