New lifestyle hotel by Marriott International offers European style and inspired local inflections to appeal to millennial audience.
CHICAGO and BETHESDA, MD. – The AC Hotel Chicago Downtown, owned and managed by Marcus Hotels & Resorts, opened its doors to guests in the heart of Chicago’s thriving River North neighborhood on May 29. Located on the corner of Rush and Ontario, the AC Hotels by Marriott brand’s first property in Illinois, is part of a new breed of lifestyle hotels targeting millennial and business travelers.
AC Hotels by Marriott celebrates the beauty of classic modern designs with its European soul and Spanish roots, borne from the signature vision of renowned hotelier Antonio Catalan, who founded the brand in 1998 and grew it into one of the most well respected hotel brands in Spain. Following its success in Spain, Italy and Portugal, a joint venture was formed with Marriott International in 2011 which later launched AC Hotels by Marriott globally into France, Denmark and the US.
Based on a belief that purposeful design improves lives, AC Hotels by Marriott edits away what is unnecessary, in order to provide guests with thoughtfully designed moments of elegance that elevate their stay and help them focus on what’s important to them. That’s why at AC Hotels by Marriott, guests get only what they need, without paying for what they don’t. The result is elegant yet unpretentious style, innovative beverage & food programming and locally inspired experiences for both guests and locals.
“Chicago is such a vibrant city with an active arts scene and energetic urban culture,” said Toni Stoekl, Vice President Lifestyle Brands, Marriott International. “Located in the heart of the shopping district and within walking distance to the city’s main tourist attractions, AC Hotel Chicago Downtown is situated perfectly for millennial travelers looking to experience everything the city has to offer.”
Owned and managed by Marcus Hotels and Resorts, the new hotel is primed to become a popular destination for millennial and business travelers alike. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Marriott to bring a new lifestyle hotel to Chicago,” said Joe Khairallah, Chief Operating Officer of Marcus Hotels. “At Marcus, we manage a wide variety of properties ranging from city center meeting hotels to upscale resorts. We’re so excited to collaborate with Marriott to bring the AC Hotel to Chicago.”
Beverage and Food Programming
At AC Hotels, premium touches are balanced with comfortable service. A signature element of the hotel includes an innovative beverage and food program within its AC Lounge. A twist on the traditional hotel bar, the experience includes local craft beers, specialty wines on tap, expertly made signature cocktails and a selection of tapas-style small bites.
Located adjacent to the AC Lounge, the AC Kitchen serves a European-inspired Continental breakfast selection of flaky croissants, freshly-sliced artisanal LaQuercia Prosciutto, savory egg tarts, and Nespresso coffee.
Signature Design
With its sleek, minimalist room design, the AC Hotels by Marriott brand is tailored to specifically appeal to millennials and those who want a stylish, but unfussy alternative to the one-size-fits-all hotel. Taking influence from its European roots, the AC Hotel Chicago Downtown uses muted colors and a monochromatic scheme throughout, showcasing a timeless design that is modern and sleek. Guest rooms incorporate warm grays and charcoal tones, with clean lines and hardwood floors; furniture is lifted to create a sense of space, and crisp white linens are used to create a look that’s both refined and elegant.
Designed by the award-winning, international hospitality consultancy headquartered in Chicago, The Gettys Group, AC Hotel Chicago provides an energetic vibe in the hotel while still encouraging exploration of the city beyond the hotel walls. Decor and furnishings are designed to inspire and add a splash of color to the soothing palette of the hotel.
Additional Amenities
The eight story hotel also offers outdoor terraces with views of the city, a fifth floor outdoor patio and indoor pool, along with a state of the art fitness center. The AC Library is a central work area for guests to use and be both connected and inspired. Additional amenities include secure on-site parking, 3,000 square-feet of meeting space and complimentary Wi-Fi.
The new lifestyle hotel is AC Hotels by Marriott’s fourth property in North America (second in the Midwest) following the brand’s debut in New Orleans, Kansas City, and Washington D.C, and is part of a growing portfolio of over 50 hotels expected to open in the next few years in the U.S. and Latin America.
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
