Autograph Collection Launches New Website for the "Individualistic" Traveler

BETHESDA, Md., Oct. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Autograph Collection, one of Marriott International's (NYSE: MAR) most exciting business ventures, announces its new standalone website targeting travelers seeking an online experience as unique as they are: autographhotels.com. The new site offers content and functionality that extends beyond basic hotel information, and caters to the inquisitive nature of the discerning traveler. The autographhotels.com website is inspired by the collection's uniquely independent positioning and highlights its more eclectic features of individual hotels. The website was designed and created by Atmosphere Proximity, based in New York, NY.

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(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110719/PH37690LOGO )

Vivid and engaging interactive elements invite individualistic travelers to discover the variety of properties within the collection. The site design presents visitors with the option to browse by experience type, destination or property name; click through to Historic Exploration, Sporting Adventure, Indulgent Escape, Artistic Getaway, and Family Fun, among others, to discover the range of unique experiences Autograph Collection hotels offer. Each category will then guide users to property-specific sites for additional details, as well as an invitation to book via the existing Marriott International booking engine for online reservations. Post-launch, autographhotels.com will also be supported by a mobile application that focuses on user-generated content and hotel-stay management.

Autograph Collection encourages visitors to personalize their own site experience. Users may select property photography from an image bank on the site to develop a look for their page that is specific to the style and personality of their favorite Autograph Collection hotel. Users may also upload their own personal photos from visits to Autograph Collection hotels to Flickr; those photos are recognized by tags and then considered for publication on autographhotels.com via the sites' management team. Autograph Collection's online hub will be integrated with social media platforms, providing users with an additional avenue to share personalized content with social network they are already using, such as Twitter or Facebook. The customizable layout further accentuates the brands' overall objective of providing one-of-a-kind guest experiences for independent-thinking travelers.

"Autograph Collection is thrilled to debut an online destination that is a true digital representation of what we offer within the collection," said Amanda Altree, senior director of marketing for Autograph Collection. "The site has a look and feel that is the embodiment of the Autograph Collection, and engages customers in a unique and hands on way. We believe it will help create further interest and engagement among our guests, specifically with those audiences who crave something a bit different."

"We are delighted to launch the Autograph Collection brand with a digital experience that allows visitors to express themselves through their unique perspectives and by doing so, help shape the brand itself," said Andreas Combuechen, chairman & CEO, Atmosphere Proximity.

Launched last year, the Autograph Collection is a group of exceptional independent hotels, each hand-selected for their originality, character and uncommon details. To date, Autograph Collection portfolio includes more than 24 properties in the United States, Europe, and the British Virgin Islands, with projections to double by the end of the year.

About Autograph Collection

Autograph Collection is an evolving ensemble of strikingly independent luxury hotels. Each destination has been selected for its bold originality, rich character and uncommon details. From near to far, iconic to historic, the result is a unique array of properties that is nothing less than completely eclectic, nothing short of collectively exceptional. For more information please visit www.autographhotels.com.

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SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.