Marriott has announced plans to expand its Marriott Bonvoy programme across Europe and the UAE, with recent openings in Dubai and Tenerife, and pipeline projects in Lisbon, Bergen, Sesimbra and Bordeaux.
“With travel on the horizon, leisure bookings are driving the demand for international stays as people urge to make up for lost time with friends and family,” says Jenni Benzaquen, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Design Hotels & EMEA Brand Portfolio. “Looking forward, leisure destinations will play a significant role in our recovery and Marriott Bonvoy has a robust portfolio of leisure hotels across EMEA, with some fantastic new additions this year. Built with flexible and open spaces, these openings signify a key to freedom for patient holidaymakers and offer a chance to explore desirable, cultural destinations once again.”
According to World Bank, in 2019 Europe, Middle East and Africa’s leisure arrivals accounted for 48% of global tourism. Leisure travel is set to outstrip business travel in 2021, particularly through a large volume of rescheduled trips, as well as an appetite to commemorate missed life events. Worldwide searches for ‘European holiday’ have more than doubled from 17 January – 7 March 2021, according to Google Trends.
Residence Inn Al Jaddaf, Dubai | March 2021
Marking the brand’s entry into the UAE, Residence Inn Al Jaddaf comprises 134 modern suites, many of which feature private terraces with views of the Burj Khalifa. From spacious studios to one- and two-bedroom apartments, and three-bedroom duplex suites, each of the extended stay accommodations is equipped with a kitchen, large bathroom and sleeping areas, as well as separate living and working spaces.
AC Hotel, Tenerife | March 2021
Located in the Santa Cruz district, close to cultural sites such as the Castillo de San Cristobal and Museo Municipal de Bellas Artes, AC Hotels’ debut in Tenerife fuses the 1980s style of the building it occupies with the brand’s chic design aesthetic. Guests can unwind at flexible, open spaces including a terrace, rooftop pool and AC Lounge, or take a break from the sun in one of the hotel's 83 elegant guestrooms.
Moxy Lisbon City | April 2021
Sat atop the Avenida Duque de Loulé close to palm-lined shopping boulevard Avenida da Liberdade, the 136-room Moxy Lisbon City blends Portuguese traditions with modern-day street art, while playful touches include check-in at the bar and a complimentary cocktail on arrival. The rooftop, which features a 15-metre pool, offers vistas across the city’s terracotta roofs, ceramic-tiled façades and the Tagus river.
Moxy Bergen, Norway | May 2021
Inspired by its locale, Moxy Bergen features an exterior coated with rails in a pattern that mimics the waves of the waterfront, and a centrepiece table in the lobby bar adorned with anchor ball lamps and rope detailing. The 199-room hotel also uses natural elements like wood for furniture and installations throughout its public spaces, as well as decorations by native artists including Norwegian folklore figures.
Four Points by Sheraton Sesimbra, Portugal | May 2021 (re-opening)
Set on a leafy hillside with views of the Atlantic Ocean, Four Points’ first hotel in Portugal is characterised by maritime-inspired décor that nods to the fishing trade of Sesimbra. The property’s culinary offer takes cues from the region too, with authentic cuisine served at a restaurant and terrace, while its Best Brew programme provides craft beers such as Sadina – a signature brew produced in the nearby city of Setúbal.
Moxy Bordeaux, France | June 2021
The 133-room Moxy Bordeaux is situated next door to the La Cité du Vin museum in the city's colourful Bassins à Flots’ district. The location’s industrial and maritime heritage has inspired much of the design, including metal sheets at the entrance of the elevators and exposed pipes in the ceilings, while a micro-forest terrace is set beside the area's historic cylindrical silos, which were once used for the oil mill trade.
Guests at all these properties can earn and redeem Marriott BonvoyÔ points during their stays and enjoy the benefits of staying as a member. As the world continues on its journey to recovery, Marriott remains committed to implementing a clean environment that aligns with expert protocols to defeat Covid-19. All hotels will implement the group’s ‘Commitment to Clean’ protocols, which include guest and associate face covering requirements, social distancing policies, reduced seating capacity for meetings, frequent cleaning of high-touch areas, hand sanitising stations throughout, mobile technology and hybrid meeting options.
