Marriott International has announced that seven iconic hotels from The Kessler Collection will be the first to join the Autograph Collection, the company’s newest brand comprising independent hotels and resorts around the world offering upper-upscale and luxury properties with distinctive personalities.
The seven US hotels, which are set to join the Autograph portfolio by the end of April, are: The El Monte Sagrado, Taos, New Mexico; The Grand Bohemian Hotel, Asheville, North Carolina; The Mansion on Forsyth Park and The Bohemian Hotel Riverfront, both Savannah, Georgia, and The Casa Monica Hotel, St Augustine, The Grand Bohemian Hotel, Orlando and The Celebration Hotel, Orlando, all in Florida.
“We are thrilled to launch the Autograph Collection with such a distinguished group of hotels,” said Arne Sorenson, president and chief operating officer for Marriott International. “Each Kessler property offers a truly unique guest experience and fits perfectly with the positioning of the Autograph Collection – independent hotels that represent an expansive range of categories for distinct life experiences in dynamic destinations.”
Richard Kessler, chief executive officer The Kessler Collection, said: “The Autograph Collection gives us a tremendous opportunity to leverage Marriott’s industry-leading global reservations system and strong customer outreach through its e-commerce and sales and marketing platforms.”
With plans to add more than 25 properties through 2010 with locations throughout the world, the Autograph Collection provides Marriott with another attractive platform for future global growth. Comprised of independent properties maintaining their own brand name and personality, the Autograph Collection hotels will be featured on Marriott.com and will participate in Marriott Rewards, Marriott International’s award-winning guest loyalty programme, where guests can earn points at more than 3,200 hotels in 68 countries.