Autograph Collection Raises The Royal Bar In United Kingdom

LONDON, April 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Autograph Collection, Marriott International's (NYSE: MAR) exclusive portfolio of upscale, independent hotels continues to grow in Europe with the introduction of two new extraordinary travel experiences this spring.  Threadneedles, in the heart of London's financial district, and The Glasshouse in central Edinburgh, Scotland, will represent the Autograph Collection's first hotels in the United Kingdom. The additions are set to expand the exclusive portfolio of upscale, independent lifestyle hotels to include more than 40 exceptional hotel experiences in the United States, Europe, Caribbean, and South America.

The Autograph Collection currently offers a number of passionately independent hotel experiences throughout Europe, including the spectacular Fontecruz Lisboa Hotel in Portugal, Hotel De Bourgtheroulde in the historic city of Rouen and the Hotel L'Hermitage Gantois in Lille. Last month, the Autograph Collection revealed its entree into Germany with the opening later this year of the Hotel am Steinplatz, routinely recognized as one of Berlin's most iconic gathering places.

The vision behind the Autograph Collection is to offer an evolving group of independent, upscale hotels that each fall under distinct categories of travel experience including Culinary Delight, Artistic Getaway, Historic Exploration or Sporting Adventure. Each independent hotel is thoughtfully chosen for its quality, originality, bold character and capacity to offer guests a range of unique and unexpected experiences suited to their individual sense of style and adventure.

"This is an exciting time for the Autograph Collection in Europe as we add experiences in two of the United Kingdom's most important destinations," said Amy McPherson, president and managing director for Marriott International in Europe. "Autograph Collection offers an enviable range of artistic, culinary and cultural adventures for our guests and these two iconic hotels will be valuable additions."

You can learn more about these new Autograph Collection travel experiences and explore what your own personal signature says about you by visiting the new "What Does Your Autograph Say About You?" app on the Autograph Collection Facebook page, www.facebook.com/autographcollection.

Autograph Collection continues to provide travelers with a range of exciting travel experiences around the world, soon to include:

Threadneedles, London

The Square Mile's original luxury boutique hotel, Threadneedles is located in the heart of The City of London, just minutes from The Bank of England, St Paul's Cathedral, Borough Market, and The Royal Exchange. The former Victorian banking hall, a Grade II listed building and the former head office of City Bank, blends the traditional with the contemporary. The lobby is dominated by an elaborately hand painted stained-glass dome, which dates back to 1856, and the hotel's fashionable restaurant and bar, Bonds, are set in the former main banking hall, retaining many original Victorian features.

The Glasshouse, Edinburgh

Situated at the foot of Calton Hill and built into the 150 year old facade of the Lady Glenorchy church, The Glasshouse is one of Edinburgh's best known boutique hotels. The  Five Star hotel, which is located just a short walk from Princes Street and Edinburgh castle,  offers a unique roof-top garden – a two-acre area of elegantly landscaped gardens which may also be used as a covered event space.  Several of the guest rooms offer exceptional views over the Firth of Forth and Edinburgh New Town.  Most of the remaining guest rooms open onto (and provide access to) the hotel's private roof-top garden.  The Glasshouse has won a number of awards since its opening in 2003, including being voted by Conde Nast Traveller magazine as one of the "Top 50 Hottest Hotels," and winner of the "Most Stylish Hotel" by the Scottish Style Awards. In January 2013, it was awarded second place in the Sunday Times Travel Magazine's survey of best UK city hotels.  The hotel is currently undergoing refurbishment and is due to join the Autograph Collection upon completion in June.

All Autograph Collection hotels participate in Marriott Rewards, Marriott International's award-winning guest loyalty program, where guests can earn points at more than 3,200 hotels in 68 countries. In addition to their placement on Marriott.com, each property is showcased in its own unique way on the Collection's award winning standalone site, www.autographhotels.com.  

Autograph Collection hotels can be found in an increasing number of key travel destinations around the world including The Algonquin and The Carlton hotels in New York, The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, the Boscolo Budapest Hotel, the newly opened The Stones Hotel - Legian in Indonesia, The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa in Colorado, and the AC Baqueira Ski Resort in Spain.

About Autograph Collection

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

About Marriott International

Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.