Autograph Collection Welcomes Majestic Icon St. Ermin's Hotel, London

LONDON, May 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Autograph Collection (www.autographhotels.com), Marriott International's (NYSE: MAR) exclusive portfolio of upscale, independent hotels, announced today the debut of the St. Ermin's Hotel in the Westminster area of London, representing the third Autograph Collection hotel in the United Kingdom. Earlier this month, Autograph Collection announced its entree into the U.K. with the inauguration of Threadneedles in the heart of London's financial district and The Glasshouse in central Edinburgh, Scotland. The 331-room iconic St. Ermin's Hotel will expand the collection of independent lifestyle hotels to include more than 40 exceptional travel experiences in the United States, Europe, Caribbean, and South America.

The vision behind the Autograph Collection is to offer an evolving group of passionately independent hotels that fall under distinct categories of travel experience including Culinary Delight, Artistic Getaway, Historic Exploration, or Sporting Adventure. Each 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 unique global portfolio has proven to be a highly successful venture due to its discerning process to select only the most exceptional hotels and enriching travel experiences.

"This is an incredibly exciting time for the Autograph Collection, and a significant event for us in a prime, central London location," said Amy McPherson, president and managing director for Marriott International in Europe. "Our three Autograph Collection hotels in the United Kingdom offer travelers an enviable range of artistic, culinary and cultural adventures and this historic hotel is a hugely powerful addition."

St. Ermin's Hotel, London

St. Ermin's, converted from a Victorian apartment block to a hotel in 1899, is located within a short walk of Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St. James's Park and numerous other central London landmarks and attractions.  The hotel, which is Grade II listed and boasts numerous original Victorian characteristics, enjoys an illustrious history.  It  served as the headquarters of the British Secret Service during World War II, and given its proximity to the Houses of Parliament, has been a popular political meeting venue for many years. Retaining its classic architecture, evocative Art Nouveau styling and Rococco plasterwork, the St Ermin's has been given a distinctive, modern and highly textural look and feel, offering guests a contemporary version of 'The Grand Tour' that infused the English great house style.  Hand-picked antiques and collectables sit together with modern pieces to provide a warm, sophisticated London welcome.  The hotel was fully refurbished between 2010 and 2012.

To celebrate the inauguration of St. Ermin's into the Autograph Collection, the hotel is offering an exclusive package for a limited time. Beginning 15^th May and running through 7^th August 2013, St. Ermin's will offer a twenty percent discount off published rates for a three night weekend stay (Thursday through Sunday) including breakfast, 2,000 Marriott Rewards Bonus Points, a £40 food and drink credit and room taxes. To book this exclusive package, please use reservation code MLL.

You can learn more about these new Autograph Collection travel experiences and find out exactly 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.

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.