NEW ORLEANS—Marriott International announced today the opening of the AC Hotel New Orleans Bourbon, celebrating the official entrée of AC Hotels by Marriott into North America. Originally founded in 1998 by Spanish hotelier Antonio Catalan, AC Hotels is one of the most well-known hotel brands in Spain. Following its success in Europe, a joint venture was formed with Marriott International in 2011 establishing AC Hotels by Marriott as a lifestyle brand within the company’s global portfolio.
Speaking at an event in New Orleans today, Arne Sorenson, president and chief executive officer of Marriott International, commented, “With the continued rise of the millennial traveler we saw an opportunity to import this highly successful European brand from overseas with the hope of introducing a more experiential and design led, upper moderate tier lifestyle brand to the U.S. We are proud to partner with NewcrestImage as we debut the first AC Hotel by Marriott here in the vibrant city of New Orleans.”
Opened in November, the new AC Hotel New Orleans Bourbon rests on Carondelet Street on the cusp of the French Quarter in the city’s historic cotton exchange building. The building is a National Historic Landmark that first opened in 1871 as a centralized forum for the trade of cotton. Many of the 220 hotel rooms offer views of the city. The hotel will operate under a franchise agreement with NewcrestImage, a Texas-based hotel development, construction, and management company.
“We’re honored to add an exciting new chapter to the proud history of this building as it becomes the country’s first AC Hotels by Marriott location,” said Mehul Patel, chairman and chief executive officer of NewcrestImage. “Our company, in partnership with Marriott International, is all about making a difference for our guests and for the communities where we do business.”
Each new AC Hotels location will feature signature amenities and culinary elements including the AC Lounge experience, the AC Library, and the AC Kitchen.
The AC Lounge experience is inspired by the idea of “draft and craft,” a place within the hotel where guests can work during the day and relax after hours with a cocktail and small bites ordered right from the bartender. The AC Lounge will also offer wines on tap and craft beers unique to the area. The AC Library provides a quiet space to linger and be inspired.
Open for breakfast, the AC Kitchen is grounded in the idea of a European home, welcoming guests with croissants and Iberico inspired artisanal Prosciutto Americain. The kitchen will also feature AC Hotels by Marriott’s signature iced coffee.
Along with New Orleans, AC Hotels by Marriott currently offers a portfolio of more than 75 hotels throughout Spain, Italy, Portugal, and France. Growth plans for the brand include the opening of its next North American locations in Kansas City’s Westport neighborhood and in the heart of Miami Beach early next year, as well as more than 50 additional hotels set to open within the next three years throughout the U.S. and Latin America.
