AC Hotel Chicago Downtown Opens Doors to the Public

CHICAGO and BETHESDA, Md., May 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The AC Hotel Chicago Downtown, owned and managed by Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, will open its doors to guests in the heart of Chicago's thriving River North neighborhood on May 29. Located on the corner of Rush and Ontario, the AC Hotels by Marriott brand's first property in Illinois, is part of a new breed of lifestyle hotels targeting millennial and business travelers.

AC Hotels by Marriott celebrates the beauty of classic modern designs with its European soul and Spanish roots, borne 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 Spain, Italy and Portugal, a joint venture was formed with Marriott International in 2011 which later launched AC Hotels by Marriott globally into France, Denmark and the US.

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

"Chicago is such a vibrant city with an active arts scene and energetic urban culture," said Toni Stoekl, Vice President Lifestyle Brands, Marriott International. "Located in the heart of the shopping district and within walking distance to the city's main tourist attractions, AC Hotel Chicago Downtown is situated perfectly for millennial travelers looking to experience everything the city has to offer."

Owned and managed by Marcus Hotels and Resorts, the new hotel is primed to become a popular destination for millennial and business travelers alike. "We're thrilled to be partnering with Marriott to bring a new lifestyle hotel to Chicago," said Joe Khairallah, Chief Operating Officer of Marcus Hotels. "At Marcus, we manage a wide variety of properties ranging from city center meeting hotels to upscale resorts. We're so excited to collaborate with Marriott to bring the AC Hotel to Chicago."

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 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, freshly-sliced artisanal LaQuercia Prosciutto, savory egg tarts, and Nespresso coffee.

Signature Design

With its sleek, minimalist room design, the AC Hotels by Marriott brand is tailored to specifically appeal to millennials and those who want a stylish, but unfussy alternative to the one-size-fits-all hotel. Taking influence from its European roots, the AC Hotel Chicago Downtown uses muted colors and a monochromatic scheme throughout, showcasing a timeless design that is modern and sleek. Guest rooms incorporate warm grays and charcoal tones, with clean lines and hardwood floors; furniture is lifted to create a sense of space, and crisp white linens are used to create a look that's both refined and elegant.

Designed by the award-winning, international hospitality consultancy headquartered in Chicago, The Gettys Group, AC Hotel Chicago provides an energetic vibe in the hotel while still encouraging exploration of the city beyond the hotel walls. Decor and furnishings are designed to inspire and add a splash of color to the soothing palette of the hotel.

Additional Amenities

The eight story hotel also offers outdoor terraces with views of the city, a fifth floor outdoor patio and indoor pool, along with a state of the art fitness center. The AC Library is a central work area for guests to use and be both connected and inspired. Additional amenities include secure on-site parking, 3,000 square-feet of meeting space and complimentary Wi-Fi.

The new lifestyle hotel is AC Hotels by Marriott's fourth property in North America (second in the Midwest) following the brand's debut in New Orleans, Kansas City, and Washington D.C, and is part of a growing portfolio of over 50 hotels expected to open in the next few years in the U.S. and Latin America

To learn more about AC Hotels by Marriott or to book your experience at AC Hotel Chicago, visit http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chiac-ac-hotel-chicago-downtown.mi

For more information on the latest news and updates from Marcus Hotels & Resorts, please visit: http://media.marcushotels.com.

About Marcus Hotels & Resorts

Marcus Hotels & Resorts, a division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), owns and/or manages 20 hotels, resorts and other properties in 11 states.  A force in the hospitality industry, Marcus Hotels & Resorts provides expertise in management, development and historic renovations.  The company's portfolio includes a wide variety of properties including city-center meeting hotels, upscale resorts and branded first-class hotels.  For more information on the latest news and updates, please visit: http://media.marcushotels.com and follow the company on Facebook and Twitter.

About AC Hotels by Marriott

AC Hotels by Marriott is a lifestyle brand within the Marriott International global portfolio of 19 brands. AC Hotels currently offers a portfolio of more than 75 select service hotels throughout Spain, Italy, Portugal, Denmark and France, along with Washington D.C., New Orleans, Kansas City and Chicago in the United States. Growth plans for the brand include the opening of its next North American locations in Miami Beach and Boston this year, as well as more than 50 additional hotels set to open within the next three years throughout the U.S. and Latin America.

Marriott International's luxury and lifestyle brands portfolio currently includes The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, EDITION, JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, the Autograph Collection, Renaissance Hotels, AC Hotels by Marriott and Moxy Hotels. Accounting for approximately 25 percent of the company's system-wide pipeline, Marriott expects to add more than 200 luxury and lifestyle hotel projects over the next several years, reflecting over $15 billion of investment by the company's owners and franchisees.

About Marriott International

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 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, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, Bulgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and Moxy Hotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

Note on forward-looking statements: Marriott International's growth expectations for AC Hotels by Marriott and its portfolio of luxury and lifestyle brands and expected owner and franchisee investments are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including changes in market conditions, supply and demand changes for hotel rooms, the availability of capital to finance hotel growth and refurbishment, and other applicable "Risk Factors" that Marriott International discloses in its most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q, any of which could delay or prevent hotel openings or otherwise cause actual unit growth or owner and franchisee investment to be different than we anticipate.  We make these forward-looking statements as of the date of this press release, and undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.

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