Marriott’s Autograph Collection of independent hotels has continued its European expansion, with the addition of three properties in Lisbon, Lille and Rouen.
Autograph was launched in 2009, with seven properties under the US Kessler Collection brand the first to join the portfolio (see online news January 25, 2010).
These were joined by four AC Hotels properties in Spain last year (see online news March 15, 2011), as well as six Boscolo hotels in Italy, Budapest and Prague (see online news July 19, 2011).
The three latest additions were announced this week at Marriott’s annual Global Pursuits event at the JW Grosvenor House in London, and will help bring the Autograph Collection to just under 40 properties by the end of this year.
Fontecruz hotel in Lisbon (pictured below) will be the brand’s first property in Portugal when it converts on October 3, and will feature 72 rooms and suites. The hotel is housed with a new building, and opened to the public this summer.
This will be followed by Hotel de Bourgtheroulde in Rouen and Hotel L’Hermitage Gantois in Lille this November. The Rouen hotel is housed within an historic 15th-century stone mansion, while the 72-room Lille property was originally built in the 1400s.
Speaking at the Global Pursuits event John Licence, Autograph Collection’s European Brand Leader said that the brand was competing with the likes of Starwood’s Luxury Collection, Leading Hotels of the World, and Design Hotels, and said that the group would look to have around 40-50 properties in Europe by 2015, and 150 globally.
Licence spoke of the brand’s website as encouraging guests to select stays according to their desired experience as much as location, with choices including “Historic Exploration”, “Sporting Adventure” and “Culinary Delight”.
He also said the group was “close” to making an announcement on expansion into the UK, and also put France, Germany and Russia on the brand’s wishlist of locations.
For more information visit autographhotels.com.
Report by Mark Caswell
This will be followed by Hotel de Bourgtheroulde in Rouen and Hotel L’Hermitage Gantois in Lille this November. The Rouen hotel is housed within an historic 15th-century stone mansion, while the 72-room Lille property was originally built in the 1400s.
Speaking at the Global Pursuits event John Licence, Autograph Collection’s European Brand Leader said that the brand was competing with the likes of Starwood’s Luxury Collection, Leading Hotels of the World, and Design Hotels, and said that the group would look to have around 40-50 properties in Europe by 2015, and 150 globally.
Licence spoke of the brand’s website as encouraging guests to select stays according to their desired experience as much as location, with choices including “Historic Exploration”, “Sporting Adventure” and “Culinary Delight”.
He also said the group was “close” to making an announcement on expansion into the UK, and also put France, Germany and Russia on the brand’s wishlist of locations.
For more information visit autographhotels.com.
Report by Mark Caswell 
