MILWAUKEE—Marcus Hotels and Resorts announced it will convert its Four Points by Sheraton Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile hotel into one of the first AC Hotels by Marriott in the United States with an anticipated opening in spring 2015.
“We are excited to bring one of the first AC Hotels by Marriott in the U.S. to Chicago’s River North area,” said Thomas F. Kissinger, interim president, Marcus Hotels and Resorts and senior executive president, The Marcus Corporation. “This stylish, urban lifestyle brand brings together a contemporary and elegant look with the latest amenities and technology for the savvy traveler. The urban-inspired feel and sleek, European design makes this brand the perfect fit for Chicago, providing guests with a cosmopolitan, yet relaxed atmosphere, while having a strong connection to a very vibrant and lively city.”
Inspired by the fashion houses of Spain and the runways of Italy, the AC Hotels by Marriott brand targets travelers searching for a design-led hotel in a great location with high-quality service. European aesthetics, stylish artifacts, simplistic designs, and technology enabled functional spaces embody the brand. The AC by Marriott Chicago will include 226 rooms and 6,000 square feet of meeting space. Public spaces will feature multimedia areas and local museum-quality artifacts.
“AC Hotels by Marriott brand is all about connecting with the culture of the city and all Chicago has to offer,” said Chris Anderson, senior vice president, Marcus Hotels and Resorts. “Chicago’s lively Michigan Avenue is known as one of the premier shopping, dining, and entertainment destinations in the U.S., and the rebranding will capture that local spirit and style that makes Chicago so special. We are excited to be one of the first AC Hotels in the U.S. and bring this successful brand to Chicago.”
Founded by Antonio Catalan, The AC Hotels by Marriott brand was launched in Europe in 2011 as a joint venture between Marriott International and Spain’s AC Hotels. Today, the brand has a total of nearly 80 hotels located in Spain, Italy, Portugal, and France. “We are very excited to bring our successful European brand to Chicago, as it is a perfect gateway city for design-conscious travelers,” said Callette Nielsen, vice president AC Hotels by Marriott. “This vibrant brand will fit in perfectly with Chicago’s fashion-forward, trendsetting environment, and will provide guests with an authentic travel experience right in the heart of downtown.”
