Marriott Debuts New Brand with 220-Key AC Hotel New Orleans Bourbon

By Eliza Theiss, Associate Editor

AC Hotel New Orleans Bourbon

Global hospitality giant Marriott International Inc. officially debuted the AC Hotels by Marriott brand in North America with the opening of the 220-key AC Hotel New Orleans Bourbon. The New Orleans location marks not only the AC Hotels by Marriott brand’s U.S. debut but also the start of an aggressive expansion in the United States and Latin America. The lifestyle brand will open more than 50 destinations throughout the Americas over the next three years. The brand’s next locations, set to open early in 2015, include Kansas City’s posh Westport neighborhood and downtown Miami Beach.

Located at 221 Carondelet St., the AC Hotel New Orleans Bourbon is situated in the world-famous French Quarter, a global destination for entertainment, food, culture and business. Opened in November in the historic Cotton Exchange building, the lifestyle hotel underwent a multimillion-dollar conversion. According to The New Orleans Advocate, Texas-based hotel development, construction and management company NewCrestImage invested $18 million in the 1871-built property’s renovation. NewCrestImage paid $17.8 million to purchase the property in mid-2013. The owner will also operate the AC Hotel New Orleans Bourbon under a franchise agreement with Marriott. According to The New Orleans Advocate, the hotel employs 70. As a nod to its target demographics, Millennial travelers, the hotel offers complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the property.

The redesigned hotel features a sleek European look inspired by Milan’s fashion world, while still staying true to the property’s historic air. Amenities include a fitness center, five meetings and event venues totaling 2,200 square feet, and 47-inch flat-screen TVs with premium movie channels in every room. Signature amenities include the AC Library; the AC Lounge; a daytime work and after-hours relaxation space serving signature drinks, craft beers and tapas; and The AC Kitchen, offering posh European breakfasts.

“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.,” said Marriott International President & CEO Arne Sorenson.

Founded in 1998 by famed Spanish hotelier Antonio Catalan, AC Hotels joined Marriott’s global portfolio in 2011. Currently, AC Hotels by Marriott operates 74 hotels throughout Southwestern Europe, in sought-after destinations such as France, Italy, Spain and Portugal.

Click here for further New Orleans market data.

Image courtesy of Marriott International