Author: Cristiana Wijaya

• New 115-room Element by Westin® Wroclaw hotel showcases the long-stay lifestyle brand’s fresh design direction.
• The hotel becomes the second managed by Hotel Co 51 in Poland, and the European operator’s fifth Marriott brand.

Hotel Co 51 has boosted the number of Marriott-owned brands in its European portfolio following the September opening of the new-build Element by Westin® Wroclaw.

Tapping into the growing demand for a longer stay experience that reflects travellers’ active, eco-conscious lifestyle, the 115-room property becomes the first branded extended-stay hotel with a globally loyalty programme in the vibrant city of Wroclaw, in southwestern Poland.

As only the second Element hotel in Europe, the pet-friendly property showcases the brand’s new design direction, inspired by nature and wellbeing. This combines modern facilities with smart, sustainable practices, with its choice of studio rooms including family-friendly options. For a home away from home feel, each high-quality room incorporates a fully-equipped kitchen, spacious living areas and spa-inspired bathroom. Guests will also be able to enjoy the brand’s signature ‘Rise’ complimentary breakfast, dine on-site in The Salon Restaurant and join the hour-long Relax evening reception from 6.30pm Mondays to Thursdays.

In addition to a flexible fitness area and meeting space for use throughout the day, the hotel also offers a dedicated laundry room plus underground on-site parking, including electric car charging.

Element Wroclaw is the first hotel to open in the Wroclaw Business Garden; a modern and ecologically-minded office campus to the east of the city centre that has established itself as one of Poland’s largest business parks since opening in 2017. With the six-hectare business park counting pharmaceutical companies, business services and IT leaders amongst its tenants, Element Wroclaw is well-placed to service the expanding number of high-profile companies based in the city.

Further reflecting Element’s natural brand values, guests can rent bikes and enjoy the Business Garden’s extensive grounds. Designed in the form of a large public garden, it incorporates relaxation zones, outdoor sports amenities and extensive cycling infrastructure.

The seven-storey hotel is also well serviced by the area’s extensive tram and rail connections, enabling guests to explore the Wroclaw Old Town and city centre in less than 15 minutes. This includes Wrocław-Mikołajów railway station, which is just a three-minute walk from the hotel, the Zachodnia tram stop, within a seven-minute stroll, plus a direct bus to the airport. Magnolia Park – the largest shopping mall in the region – is also within a 10-minute walk, adding its wealth of retail, dining and entertainment facilities to the traveller experience.

True to the brand’s ethos of building green from the ground up, and Hotel Co 51’s commitment to embedding sustainable operations throughout the business, the Element Wroclaw incorporates the highest sustainability standards. The property recently achieved Gold LEED certification and is in the process of securing the same Green Key certification as the operator’s other hotels. Initiatives to reduce the building’s carbon footprint and ensure optimal energy, water usage and waste management efficiency include high levels of thermal insulation and advanced ventilation systems.

Speaking of the significance of the new hotel signing within Element’s European expansion, Wayne Androliakos, CEO of Hotel Co 51, said: “We are delighted to be further strengthening our long-standing relationship with Marriott International with this thoughtfully-designed property in one of Poland’s most historic yet modern-minded cities.

“Element hotels were conceived to ensure guests wake up in their ‘element’ wherever their travels take them, and Wroclaw’s Business Garden’s green environment certainly provides a refreshing retreat for guests visiting this characterful city. We’re confident this inspiring long-stay lifestyle option will help redefine Poland’s aparthotel experience while giving business and leisure travellers a chance to feel truly at home when they stay with us.”

MOXY HOTELS UK – June 12^th, 2024 – Moxy Hotels, the Marriott Bonvoy lifestyle hotel brand, has announced a collaboration with British luxury bedmaker Vispring, to offer a new level of comfort to guests. 

The partnership will launch exclusively at the recently opened Moxy Plymouth, situated on the Southwest coast of England, right in the heart of the ocean city, the hotel lies just a stone’s throw away from where Vispring beds are handcrafted.  The bespoke luxury mattresses will feature in 20 of its 200 rooms, available for guests who wish to upgrade their stay. 

Built with sustainability in mind, Moxy hotels use renewable energy, recyclable materials, and source locally wherever possible, making Vispring the perfect partner.

Vispring mattresses are made using all-natural materials; the key ingredient in every Vispring mattress is British wool and this is important for the Moxy x ViSpring collaboration. The natural properties of wool, including softness, spring, and durability, make it ideally suited for bedmaking and help to provide a great night’s sleep. This sustainable material also uses far less energy than the production of artificial fibres. 

Clare Schifano, Global Marketing Director at Vispring said: “We have been handcrafting luxury beds and perfecting the art of a wonderful night’s sleep at Vispring for more than 120 years and we’re delighted to bring Vispring’s signature comfort to Moxy Plymouth, as well as play a part in its efforts to source locally.” 

Moxy Hotels is known for its playful and social vibe, where guests can enjoy complimentary games, DJ-nights, live music, and a cocktail on arrival.

“For us, it’s about giving guests a great night’s sleep and the opportunity arose to work with Vispring whilst enjoying the playful and social vibe we’ve created.  Partnering with Vispring, where we can offer a uniquely British made product, enhances our guest experience at Moxy Plymouth. Moxy has a work hard play hard ethos, and we want our guests to play on longer and sleep even better.

Our Moxy Dream Maker package will offer increased comfort above our already smart, design-led rooms. We think this collaboration will strengthen our ties to the local community and showcase our uniqueness as a lifestyle brand – it really is the dream combination for us.” added Wayne Androliakos, Regional Director of Operations UK for Hotel Co 51. 

At Hotel Co 51 we’re constantly striving for new opportunities to deliver sustainable hospitality with purpose. As part of this, our teams are working hard to secure Green Key certification across each of our +40 European properties by the end of 2024 by embedding meaningful and measurable operational initiatives throughout our business.

After rigorous audits, we’re proud to announce that Courtyard Gdynia Waterfront is the first hotel in our portfolio to receive the Green Key Certification. By demonstrating how they adhere to Green Key’s strict environmental and socially responsible criteria, they have become the city’s first Green Key-certified establishment. Moxy London ExCel and Moxy Milton Keynes have swiftly followed in their footsteps, becoming a proud new recipient of the prestigious Green Key plaque, and our first in the UK.

This certification provides an important starting point from which each hotel can measure its performance. More crucially still, the process helps us identify opportunities for future improvements so we can deliver the most responsible and positive experience for our guests, employees, and communities.

Congratulations to all the teams and we look forward to welcoming more of our hotels to the Green Key community over the coming months.

Read more about our sustainable approach here.

Moxy Hotels and Sir Woofchester’s Canine Hospitality announce ‘pawsome’ collaboration

MOXY HOTELS UK – April 15, 2024 – Moxy Hotels has established itself as one of the most dog-friendly hotel chains in the UK.  Today they’ve enhanced that further by teaming up with Sir Woofchester’s Canine Hospitality, a UK based innovative canine hospitality brand, to launch a range of healthy food and drink options for four-legged guests and their owners.

A recent survey showed that 56% of dog-owners want to take their dog with them for a hotel stay or holiday.  Already, Moxy Hotels is the only international hotel chain that allows dogs in all public areas, including the restaurant and bar, where they can enjoy the social spaces and the lively atmosphere. This new collaboration aims to make dogs feel even more welcome with their owners. 

On arrival, guests and their pooch who upgrade to the new package, will find a special Moxy Canine Comfort Package in their room, which features a welcome kit for dogs with a toy, snack pack, some poo bags and a welcome doggy-cocktail.  A unique menu for your pooch, created by Sir Woofchester’s Canine Hospitality, will also offer snacks, drinks, and meals on request.

Wayne Androliakos, Regional Director of Operations said, “Moxy is all about bending the rules for traditional hotel stays, so we wanted to create something that would elevate our portfolio of UK hotels, into the ultimate destination for dog lovers. We strongly believe that dogs are part of the family, and with the surge in demand for owners to bring their dogs, we felt they deserve to have choices and options when they travel.  Collaborating with Sir Woofchester’s will provide a fun a memorable experience for our guests and their dogs.”

Up to two dogs per room can stay at any Moxy UK hotel for £15 per dog per night. The Moxy Canine Comfort, dog-friendly package is available at 17 Moxy Hotels locations across the UK from £89 per night which includes a room, breakfast and the Canine Comfort Package and can be booked online at https://bit.ly/moxymutts. The package is limited to a certain number of rooms per day, so guests are advised to book early to avoid disappointment.

David Wright from Sir Woofchester’s commented; “Our brand is made with natural and healthy ingredients, designed to appeal to a broad range of dogs, so it was great to work with Moxy Hotels in their stellar efforts to really push the boat out when it comes to being more dog-friendly.”

Moxy Hotels and Sir Woofchester’s Canine Hospitality are also launching a competition from today until the end of the month, to promote their collaboration, where guests can share their photos and videos of their dogs doing a unique trick on social media.  Using the hashtag #MoxyMutts, and tagging both @moxy.uk and @sirwoofchesters, the best entries will win a free pet-friendly stay at a Moxy Hotel in the UK, and a hamper of goodies from Sir Woofchester’s Canine Hospitality.

About Moxy Hotels

Moxy offers a playful hotel experience for the young at heart. With more than 70 experiential hotels open across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific, Moxy boldly breaks the rules of a conventional hotel stay across the globe. The unconventional experience starts with check-in at Bar Moxy and extends from its vibrant social spaces, like the Lounge and Library, to its small but smart bedrooms. Moxy provides stylish, industrial design and sociable service at an attractive price point, so that guests can splurge on the experiences that matter most to them during their travels. Moxy celebrates inclusivity, open-mindedness, and originality above all. The Moxy experience is seriously considered and playfully executed. For more information, visit www.moxyhotels.com and Play On #atthemoxy on Instagram. Moxy is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments, and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enrol for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com. 

About Hotel Co 51

Hotel Co 51 is a growing hotel management company based in Amsterdam and is part of the Vastint Group, who is the owner of the hotels that are operated by us. Currently we are operating more than 30 hotels under a franchise agreement with Marriott International Inc., mainly Moxy Hotels, Courtyard by Marriott, and Residence Inn by Marriott. More to come in the next years.

About Sir Woofchester’s

Sir Woofchester’s is a Cumbria-based company who has been active in the trade supply of dog-friendly products since Spring 2018.  Now with a very extensive range of UK-manufactured specialised products for hospitality & tourism businesses, the company’s dedicated team continues to develop new innovative products and delight pet parents all over the country.

Hotel Co 51 was founded in 2020 and is based in Amsterdam. It is one of the largest franchise operators for Moxy Hotels in Europe. But the company is still relatively unknown in Germany. We spoke to Morana Rabatic Andric, Regional Director of Operations for Hotel Co 51.

Ms. Rabatic Andric, who is behind Hotel Co 51 and what are the plans for the next few years?

Morana Rabatic Andric: Since its inception in February 2020, Hotel Co 51 has established itself as one of Marriott’s largest franchisees in Europe and is the largest franchise operator for the Moxy Hotels brand worldwide. Hotel Co 51 is an Amsterdam-based European hotel operator specializing in the management of Marriott International’s hotel brands such as Moxy, Courtyard, Residence Inn, and AC by Marriott brands, part of the Vastint group. With its inception in 2020, it became Vastint’s tenth division. The hotels are part of Vastint’s investment portfolio. Our hotels (which are owned and operated) host an average of 2 million guests per year.

Our fast-growing portfolio includes 40 hotels in eight European countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and the United Kingdom, with properties in strategic locations such as airports and city centers. Having just opened three new hotels in Germany, specifically in Dortmund and Berlin, we are delighted that Germany is our second largest market in Europe with 13 hotels and 2,530 rooms – just behind the UK where we currently have 16 hotels and more in to be opened shortly.

Germany is also currently the only market where Hotel Co 51 operates dual brand properties and we are proud to announce, alongside our successful Moxy/Residence Inn in Essen, Marriott’s latest dual brand venture in the German market in Dortmund. As we continue to grow our portfolio, increase the number of brands we operate and expand into new markets, human resources policy is our top priority. We believe that good hotels depend on great people and that our people are our greatest asset. Our goal is therefore to ensure that our people-centric philosophy helps position Hotel Co 51 as an employer in the hospitality industry, whilst also running some of the most efficient and sustainable hotels in Europe. For example, more and more of our hotels are LEED certified.

Starting a business (especially in hospitality) during the Corona pandemic has certainly not been easy. How did you experience the situation as a hotel operator?

Morana Rabatic Andric: Challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic include managing the changing regulations and requirements in each individual market. This is where Hotel Co 51’s team of experts in each country comes into play. The post-Covid era has brought various challenges for hotel operations, most notably a shortage of staff. This was a big problem when travel regulations eased and occupancy started to rise again.

In addition, we had significant problems with our suppliers in the 2021/22 financial year as they had difficulties with the delivery of raw materials. These problems ranged from difficulties in obtaining laundry to food and drink shortages and affected all areas of the hotels. We had bottlenecks in hotel maintenance and also delivery problems with groceries, all of which put additional pressure.

However, we understood the challenges faced by our supply partners and a flexible and collaborative approach on both sides was extremely important in order for us to solve the challenges. Being part of a Europe-wide team has helped us pull together and support each other to overcome regional difficulties, not only in our 13 German hotels but also across Europe.

Which hotels coped better with the crisis and which were worse?

Morana Rabatic Andric: I wouldn’t say that any particular hotel has dealt with the situation better or worse, but rather that the crisis is and has been more challenging for some regions than for others. For example, the Munich area is known for being particularly difficult to find staff due to the high cost of living.

In addition, we had significant problems with our suppliers in the 2021/22 financial year as they had difficulties with the delivery of raw materials. These problems ranged from difficulties in obtaining laundry to food and drink shortages and affected all areas of the hotels. We had bottlenecks in hotel maintenance and also delivery problems with groceries, all of which put additional pressure on the already ailing hospitality industry.

However, we understood the challenges faced by our supply partners and a flexible and collaborative approach on both sides was extremely important to solve the challenges. Being part of a Europe-wide team has helped us pull together and support each other to overcome regional difficulties, not only in our 13 German hotels but also across Europe.

Which hotels coped better with the crisis and which were worse?

Morana Rabatic Andric: I wouldn’t say that any particular hotel has dealt with the situation better or worse, but rather that the crisis is and has been more challenging for some regions than for others. For example, the Munich area is known for being particularly difficult to find staff due to the high cost of living.

How has the experience of the Corona crisis affected your expansion strategy? How will you choose new locations in the future?

Morana Rabatic Andric: As Hotel Co 51 was established during the pandemic, we are very proud of our continued growth over the past three years. Although the pandemic inevitably affected some of our projects, we completed our projects in Dortmund and Berlin by the end of 2022. After the rapid growth period of recent years, 2023 is a good opportunity for the team to consolidate and refine our plans and ensure Hotel Co 51 is well-positioned for the next phase of growth. The key to this is making sure we are at the forefront of future trends and innovations.

How do the locations affect the design and concept of the hotel?

Morana Rabatic Andric: As professionals in the hospitality industry, we must do our best to research trends and identify guest needs. Because our airport hotels tend to cater to guests who only need to stay one night, we know that these guests are less interested in a wider range of hotels than in other city center locations. For this reason, our hotels in urban areas such as in Berlin, have a greater variety of room categories with different bed options to achieve a good mix of customers.

We also have a number of properties that cater heavily to the leisure traveler. For example, our Moxy Sophia Antipolis near Cannes in the south of France has a pool that appeals more to leisure guests, while our recently opened Paris Val d’Europe hotel caters heavily to families thanks to its proximity to Disneyland Paris, something that is also reflected in the furnishings and the range, from the adventure-oriented garden to the new family-friendly bistro.

At the recent opening in Dortmund, two brands were presented under one roof. Will this also be the case in the future?

Morana Rabatic Andric: The combination of the Moxy and Residence Inn brands is a great opportunity to address different market segments. This allows us to easily expand the room selection by offering guests two different types of accommodation in one good location. The benefit of having two brands under one roof is that we can offer our guests and corporate clients a wider choice of accommodation in one location. At a time when flexibility is an important factor for travelers, this popular concept allows us to better meet the different needs, lengths of stay, and budgets of guests. At the same time, there is no doubt that dual-brand hotels also bring greater operational efficiencies for operators as they share staff and facilities. This flexible concept is already working very well in both Essen and Dortmund. As such, we will continue to consider locations where the owners and we feel combining two hotel styles could work well.

What is the personnel situation at Hotel Co 51 and how does recruiting work?

Morana Rabatic Andric: Recruitment is the biggest challenge facing the hospitality industry around the world and one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century, not only in the hospitality industry. The last few years have shown that the industry really needs to work together to raise awareness of the attractiveness of working in hotels.

For a company that works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it’s undoubtedly an industry that can have its challenges. When I was young and started working in the hospitality industry, I had no illusions about how tough it could be, but I was also aware of all the positive aspects of working directly with people and to that contributing to ensuring that they have the best and most beautiful experiences.

As values change and awareness of work-life balance grows, fewer people are willing to work evenings, weekends, or holidays, or to do shift work. However, it seems like a good time to re-show the new generation of workers that hospitality is still a hugely rewarding industry as it offers so many opportunities. Whether it’s being creative and learning new skills or being surrounded by different people from all walks of life and all corners of the world every day, the hospitality industry provides opportunities for people to form relationships and meaningful experiences every day create for our guests.

As we continue to expand our portfolio in Germany and Europe, it is now more important than ever to find new ways of recruiting to ensure we attract and retain the best possible talent for our guests. It is important to address different potential employees – for example those who are considering a career change or mothers who are returning to work. Once we have found the best employees, our top priority is to retain them. While benefits are becoming increasingly important, we also know how important it is for employees to feel valued and part of something bigger. This is one of the reasons why Hotel Co 51 hosts an annual conference for our pan-European teams to create a space where hotels can share best practices and learnings between themselves and where our staff can meet their peers and celebrate achievements.

Finally: In your opinion, what are the most important trends in the hotel industry for the next few years?

The hospitality industry is still a service industry, so our flexibility, and ability to respond to new trends and the needs of the new generations will always be at the heart of what we do. When Hotel Co 51 was founded, we had an ambitious plan to transform the way hotels are run and break new ground with our sustainable, people-centric philosophy. At a time when both partners and guests are realizing the importance of working with companies that meet the highest environmental standards, we believe this will continue to be a factor influencing the way people travel.

Ultimately, it is important that we, as responsible hotel operators, offer our guests the best possible experience

• The new Moxy and Residence Inn hotels will offer 311 rooms in the heart of Dortmund
• Hotel Co 51 now operates 2,530 rooms across 13 hotels and two dual-brand developments in Germany, and is the largest franchise operator for the Moxy Hotels brand in Europe

Hospitality operator Hotel Co 51 (hotelco51.com) has boosted its German presence with the opening of its second dual-brand development in Germany; Moxy Dortmund City and Residence Inn by Marriott Dortmund City.

The newly-built hotels combine two complementary Marriott International brands under one roof, to ensure leisure and business travellers benefit from a wider choice of ways to stay in the city centre.

The stylish 191-room Moxy Dortmund City includes 36 twin and 154 Queen guestrooms, and becomes Hotel Co 51’s eleventh Moxy hotel in Germany, while the 120-suite Residence Inn Dortmund City aparthotel offers two studio sizes, each incorporating separate living and sleeping areas plus a kitchenette for added flexibility.

Guests staying at  both pet-friendly hotels are  able to take advantage of the Residence Inn Bistro – a casual dining space which is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner – plus a well-equipped 24/7 gym. In addition to onsite car parking for 18 vehicles, the dual-hotel complex also offers 50 bicycle parking spaces.

The dual-branded property is in the heart of Dortmund, just 10 minutes’ walk from the main shopping area, railway station and the German Football museum, and within easy access of the Messe Westfalenhallen Dortmund exhibition centre.

The West German city is known for its thriving cultural scene, and the new hotels’ location next to the iconic Dortmunder U building complements Moxy’s high-energy and playful concept. This neighbouring former brewery is now a flourishing art gallery which hosts regular art exhibitions, immersive experiences and cinema events, as well as a vibrant summer festival, complete with live music events

The design at Moxy Dortmund City incorporates Bauhaus elements – including a copper bar – in a nod to the neighbouring brewery’s history, as well as photographic memorabilia, in homage to Dortmund-based Annelise Kretschmer – one of Germany’s most revered photographers from the 1920s until the 1960s – after whom the road is named.

Morana Rabatic Andric – Regional Director of Operations for Hotel Co 51 – said: “As Hotel Co 51’s third dual-brand hotel complex in Europe, and our second in Germany, we know there is a growing appetite for more flexible styles of accommodation in prime city centre locations. By pairing the lifestyle Moxy brand with Residence Inn by Marriott’s spacious suites, we’re delighted to be helping our guests find the hotel style that best suits their individual needs, whether they’re visiting for a few days or several weeks.”

“From a business traveller perspective, our location – just 20 minutes from Dortmund Airport and Messe Dortmund, and close to the city’s public transport facilities – couldn’t be better. With the airport continuing to invest in its infrastructure to match its expansion, and currently serving 41 destinations across 23 countries, we’re excited about the future our hotels will play in this dynamic city.”

Hotel Co 51 has appointed Lars Krimmel as the Cluster Hotel Manager for both hotels. Lars brings 22 years’ hospitality experience to the role, including having previously led operations at two other Moxy properties in Germany.

In the last three months, Hotel Co 51 has opened five hotels across four cities in three European countries. These include three Marriott-branded properties in Germany – the operator’s second biggest market in Europe after the UK – following the October opening of the 235-room Moxy Berlin Airport in October.

Media Enquiries

Suzanne Seyghal: +44 (0)7967 978 911 / suzanneseyghal@gmail.com  

About Hotel Co 51

• Founded in Amsterdam in 2020, and owned by the Vastint Group, Hotel Co 51 is a European hotel operator specialising in managing Marriott International’s Moxy, Courtyard, Residence Inn and AC by Marriott brands.
• Its fast-growing portfolio covers 40 hotels across eight European countries; Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland and the UK, with properties located in strategic city centre locations, including airport and city centres.

MOXY BERLIN AIRPORT, GERMANY – October 18, 2022 – Moxy Hotels, Marriott Bonvoy’s experiential hotel brand has announced the opening of Moxy Berlin Airport, located within easy reach of Terminals 1 and 2, the hotel has an playful travel and aviation inspired design.

Moxy Berlin

The fun Moxy experience kicks off at Bar Moxy which doubles as check-in where guests will be welcomed with a complimentary cocktail.  Effortlessly bold, guests will benefit from the very latest technology at the hotel, including smart TVs with Chromecast and furiously fast Wi-Fi. The 236 guestrooms have been thoughtfully mapped out with stylish leather headboards and cleverly designed platform beds where the tech-smart sensory mood lighting switches off when it’s time to bed down, and multi-functional space to work and recharge. The hotel will have a special Airline Lounge for crew coming in and out of the airport. Like all Moxy hotels, pets will also be welcome.

Hotel Co 51, who manages a vast portfolio of Moxy hotels across Europe, have appointed Carsten Kuhfeldt as the new hotel Captain, their take on a Hotel Manager.  Carsten has been promoted to a Cluster Captain role as he will also manage the Moxy Berlin Ostbahnhof.

Regional Director of Operations for Hotel Co. 51, Morana Rabatic Andric commented; ‘This is an exciting addition to our Moxy portfolio.  Our reputation for stylish, edgy hotels is at the forefront of everything we do and we always put a lot of thought into the hotel’s unique design theme.  We feel guests will love what we offer at Moxy Berlin Airport and it will do really well in this fantastic location.”

Hotel Co 51 continues to open a number of hotels across Europe.  This is the 10^th German Moxy hotel that Hotel Co 51 operates, with Dortmund also set to open in December bringing the portfolio to over 40 hotels overall.  Other new hotels include Residence Inn Dortmund as well as the new Moxy Paris Val d’Europe, which opened last month, and an AC by Marriott in Inverness, the very first one to launch in Scotland for the AC Brand.

For more information and an opening offer of 20% off the best available rate with breakfast included  visit; https://www.marriott.com/offers/grand-opening-offer-off-58826?propertycode=beroa

For more information visit https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/beroa-moxy-berlin-airport/

AC HOTEL BY MARRIOTT INVERNESS – 25 October, 2022 – AC Hotels by Marriott^®, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands, today announced the opening of AC Hotel by Marriott Inverness, marking its debut in Scotland.

Hotel Co 51 will manage the new hotel which sits on the banks of the River Ness on Glebe Street, overlooking the Kessock Bridge and within walking distance of the city’s bars, restaurants and Eden Court Theatre. The four-story AC Hotel by Marriott^® Inverness will be the largest hotel in the city with 191 bedrooms showcasing the brand’s contemporary design, natural tones and richly textured finishes. AC Lounge, a signature European-inspired restaurant will serve classics with a local touch, and small bites. The all-day restaurant will have 60 seats as well as a riverside terrace for outdoor dining available for 30 guests, set to be a hot spot for guests and locals alike. Guests staying at the hotel have access to a well-equipped 24-hour fitness centre with floor-to-ceiling windows boasting weights and cardio equipment.

The brand’s signature offerings include the signature AC Lounge®, complete with a cosy fireplace, which transitions from a space to relax or work during the day into a social bar and restaurant at night offering expertly made cocktails including a locally inspired gin tonic, and local craft beers.  

The hotel has created 35 full and part-time jobs and Tracey Mottram, an established name in the Inverness hotel industry, has been appointed as General Manager.

The hotel has over 150 timeless king rooms, including accessible ones, and 30 twins with either river views across to the Black Isle for several miles or city views.  Each guest room offers sleek desks, open closets and integrated bathrooms with an added sensory experience for guests who would like a lavender turndown.

Joining Hotel Co 51’s portfolio across Europe of 35+ hotels in eight countries, AC Marriott Inverness is the company’s seventh property in Scotland and 16^th in the UK – joining the likes of Moxy Edinburgh Fountainbridge, Courtyard by Marriott SEC in Glasgow and Moxy London Excel.

John Farrelly, Corporate Commercial Lead for Hotel Co 51 commented; “We are honoured to open the first AC Marriott in Scotland and it’s in a great position, close to the start and end of the renowned NC500 in the capital of the Highlands. 

AC Marriott is all about offering the perfect blend of form and function at an affordable price, so it will attract a lot of business and leisure travellers who know the Marriott brand well and can rely on what this hotel will deliver. 

At Hotel Co 51 we’re proud that we continue to grow apace, adding to our rapidly expanding portfolio in Europe in strategic locations.”

There is an opening offer of £ 70 including breakfast for the month of November, or guests looking at exploring Inverness and its gorgeous surroundings can enjoy the special Take 2 Package featuring

cocktails and tapas for two every night, and daily breakfast, starting from £ 109 per night.

To learn more about AC Hotels by Marriott® and AC Hotel Inverness, please visit WWW.ac-hotels.marriott.com and www.achotelinverness.com. 

For further information or imagery, please contact Susan Blair at 24 Keys on susan@24keys.co.uk or call 077 6868 7224.

Founder of AC

AC stands for the founder, Antonio Catalan, who created the brand in Madrid in 1999.   It started off in Spain, then expanded to Italy and quickly ramped up reaching 75 properties in 2005. In 2011 Catalan and Marriott International come together for a joint venture, taking the brand to the US (first one in New Orleans), then South America and Asia, quickly surpassing the 100 properties in mark.

About AC Hotels by Marriott® 

AC Hotels includes over 210 hotels in 30 countries and territories. At AC Hotels, every moment has been designed, refined, crafted, and considered to create a seamless guest experience. Each AC Hotel features purposefully designed signature spaces that strike the perfect balance of form and function. Most notably, the AC Lounge^® invites guests and locals alike to collaborate during the day, or to enjoy signature cocktails and tapas in the evening. The AC Kitchen offers a European-inspired breakfast each morning. All AC guest rooms and public spaces evoke a particular sophistication, featuring sleek furnishings, curated artwork, and intuitive technology. The brand is dedicated to the details that matter most to guests during their travels with a mission to deliver The Perfectly Precise Hotel™ experience. For more information, visit www.ac-hotels.com and follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. AC Hotels is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments, and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit marriottbonvoy.com. 

About Hotel Co 51

Hotel Co 51 is a fast-growing, European hotel operator of Moxy Hotels, Courtyard By Marriott, Residence Inn, and AC Hotels by Marriott. Founded in Amsterdam in 2020 to support development and operations for the new hotel openings, it is currently operating 35+ properties in 8 countries (The Netherlands, France, UK, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Norway and Poland) and expanding its reach with new properties in key markets. The company´s pipeline includes hotels in European strategic cities and airports. To learn more about Hotel Co 51, visit hotelco51.com.

MOXY PARIS VAL D’EUROPE, FRANCE – September 20, 2022 – Moxy Hotels, Marriott Bonvoy’s experiential hotel brand has announced the opening of Moxy Paris Val d’Europe, within striking distance of the world-famous Disneyland Amusement Park. 

The 238-bedroomed hotel is the first to open so close to Disneyland Paris since 2019 and is just a short 8-minute trip with the recommended RER A or short bike ride, using the hotel’s free bike rental facility, to the world-famous amusement park and equally only 40km into the center of Paris itself.   

This is the third Moxy Paris hotel to shake things up on the hotel scene as more of the high-energy brand continues to open across Europe.  In usual style, Moxy Paris Val d’Europe will have a special vibe and this hotel will be no different with a magical twist and even a garden, inspired by Alice in Wonderland, where a magical forest has been created to entertain young guests and grown-up ones.  

The fun kicks off at the bar which doubles as check-in where guests will be welcomed with a complimentary cocktail.  Effortlessly bold, guests will benefit from the very latest technology at the hotel, smart TVs with Chromecast and furiously fast Wi-Fi.  Guestrooms have been thoughtfully mapped out with gorgeous leather headboards and cleverly designed platform beds where the tech-smart sensory mood lighting switches off when it’s time to bed down, and multi-functional space to work and recharge. Like all Moxy hotels, pets will also be welcomed. 

A bespoke and creative French cuisine restaurant called Bistrot 51 with local seasonal produce and a collection of fabulous French wines at its heart, will open in November.  With room for 80 guests inside, a further 20 seats will be available on the gorgeous outdoor terrace. 

Hotel Co 51, which manages a vast portfolio of Moxy hotels across Europe, have appointed Frederick Manier as the new hotel Captain, their take on a Hotel Manager.  Frederick, who is 33 years old, has been with Marriott for 12 years and is delighted to step into his first Captain role having previously worked at the Courtyard Marriott Paris Arcueil as Operations Manager.  Manier commented; “Opening a property has been a fantastic challenge and we’ve got a great team who are ready to make it the most talked about the hotel on the scene.” 

The hotel also has 190 parking spaces and in line with its ethical ethos, 60% of the spaces will have electrical charging devices. 

“We are now growing our portfolio across Europe and this is a fantastic site for this hotel where guests can enjoy the best of both worlds in Paris,” said Jeroen Borremans, Hotel Co 51 Regional Director of Operation Belgium and France.  “This hotel is very special and there is nothing else like it in the area.  We are constantly looking to meet and exceed the ever-evolving expectations of our guests.  We think Moxy Pars Val d’Europe will quickly become a guest favorite at the resort.” 

Hotel Co 51 continues to open a number of hotels in Europe wide adding six hotels this year alone and bringing the portfolio to 40 hotels overall.  New hotels include Moxy Bristol and AC by Marriott Inverness, the very first one to launch in Scotland for the AC Brand. Future openings include Moxy Berlin Airport and Moxy Dortmund as well as a Residence Inn in Dortmund. 

For more information visit www.moxyparisvalderuope.com  

Moxy York win its first-ever York Design Awards 2022

The York Design Awards strive for the highest standards with the main goal of inspiring and promoting excellence in design and conservation. The 14th year of the Award began in June 2022. Any developments within the City of York Council completed in the previous three years will be eligible for the competition.

On the 4th of July 2020, Moxy York officially wins its first-ever York Design Awards 2022 for the commercial category. The building was also shortlisted in the Sustainability category. Special thanks to Vastint Hospitality, Tristan Ciancio, and the fantastic team for doing wonders in accomplishing so much. The award plague will be available in the hotel.