Marriott International and White Lodging Executives Toast a Notable Addition to the Hospitality World

Steve Poe, Christy DeSiato, Paul Eckert, Pete Sams, Rachel Benedick – Photo by Morgan Mason Noseptember Photography

Steve Poe, Christy DeSiato, Paul Eckert, Pete Sams, Rachel Benedick

DENVER
Executives, business leaders and community officials were on hand Thursday, Sept. 22 in celebration of the first dual-branded hotel featuring AC Hotels and Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, in downtown Denver, Colorado. The AC Hotel + Le Méridien Denver Downtown will be managed by White Lodging and is slated to open Summer 2017.

A milestone for the industry and the city, this is the first collaborative project from Marriott International’s AC Hotels and Le Méridien brands following the merger with Starwood Hotels & Resorts which completed Friday, Sept. 23.

Welcoming guests to the event, Rachel Benedick, Vice President of Sales and Services for Visit Denver, remarked, “It is a distinct honor when brands like AC Hotels, Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts and White Lodging choose to embark on a project like this in our city.  It demonstrates that Denver is ready to be – already is – an internationally renowned city with brands that global travelers have come to expect in elite metropolitan areas.

Tami Door, President and CEO for the Downtown Denver Partnership said, “Hotel projects like this are forging new frontiers in the global hospitality industry and we are proud that Downtown Denver was chosen as the home for this investment. This project reflects the strength of our market which has seen annual growth over the past five years.”

Dual GM Paul Eckert presents the site

When complete, the dual hotels will add 495 guestrooms, 12,000 square feet of meeting space and four dining outlets, including Denver’s highest open-air rooftop bar on the 20^th floor, and destination dining from a Michelin-star restaurant group.

Dual General Manager Paul Eckert commented, “Denver has experienced tremendous growth over the last few years, becoming a world-class destination, where demand is strong for two world-class lifestyle hotel offerings unlike anything the city has seen before. We’re honored to be able to steward the introduction of two truly experiential brands and a different level of hospitality to the city.”

Le Méridien Denver will feature 272 luxurious rooms along with a full-service restaurant, 24-hour fitness facility, business centre, and Le Méridien Hub™ experience, which transforms the traditional lobby into thoughtfully-design space that brings creative and curious-minded guests and locals together over the brand’s signature éclairs and coffee programme curated by the hotel’s creative Master Barista.  The impressive full glass building façade will welcome guests with the entrance on California Street. Art and design will immediately provide an element of discovery throughout the public spaces, while the destination of Denver will be woven into the fabric of the interior design throughout the hotel.

Newly introduced to the U.S., the AC Hotels by Marriott property will be the lifestyle brand’s first to open in Denver. The brand is known to celebrate the beauty of classic-modern design marrying sophisticated European style with approachable design for a distinctly urban feel, and often featuring simple, clean and crisp lines, The AC Hotel Denver Downtown will have unique elements, which will embody the character of the city and enhance the guests’ experience of the destination. The hotel will feature a full brick façade with its entrance and lobby on 15th Street.

Pete Sams

“We are delighted to expand our partnership with White Lodging to introduce Le Méridien to Denver in 2017,” said Brian Povinelli, Global Brand Leader, Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts. “We have made significant investments to develop the brand, which connects with guests through the art, culture and cuisine in key cities around the world.  We think these passion points are sure to resonate with Denver visitors and local residents alike.”

“We are proud to bring AC Hotels’ European soul, modern design and entrepreneurial spirit to Denver, we look forward to being an integral part of the Mile-High City’s cultural fabric,” said Benoit Racle, Global Brand Director, AC Hotels. “Our rapidly growing portfolio of design-led hotels illustrates Marriott International’s commitment to making distinctive architecture and design affordable and accessible for creatives and entrepreneurial spirits around the world.”

Nearly 100 guests enjoyed a downtown street fair featuring products from local distilleries, wineries, breweries, beekeepers, celebrated the hotel’s Denver spirit; French and Spanish food trucks gave a nod to the two brands’ European heritage while the ceremonial last beam was placed.