Marriott Targets Spain with AC Hotels JV

Spain’s AC Hotels and Marriott International have reached a preliminary agreement to form a joint venture that will manage and franchise a new lodging co-brand across Europe and Latin America – “AC by Marriott”.

Founded in 1998 by Antonio Catalán, AC Hotels currently has a portfolio of over 90 owned, leased or managed hotels in Spain, Italy and Portugal, encompassing approximately 9,500 rooms and 2,800 employees.

The combination of the two companies will permit Marriott’s customers access under the Marriott Rewards program to a portfolio of Spain’s leading business and urban-leisure hotels, enable AC’s guests to earn Marriott Rewards points for travel at Marriott branded hotels around the world, and provide both companies with a platform for future growth.

“AC by Marriott” will focus on becoming a market leader in Europe and Latin America in the urban, four-star hotel category. At the launch of the joint venture, more than ninety (90) existing AC hotels in Spain, Italy and Portugal are expected to be re-branded “AC by Marriott” and enter into long term management or franchise agreements with the joint venture. The hotels will continue to be owned by affiliates of AC Hotels and other third parties.

Future hotels would then be added to the portfolio under both management contracts and franchise agreements.

The joint venture will be led by Antonio Catalán and his current team from AC Hotels headquarters in Madrid, with support on key functions from Marriott’s team in Europe, headed by Marriott’s European President Amy McPherson.

Formation of the joint venture is subject to negotiation of definitive transaction documents and customary closing conditions for transactions of this type, including obtaining any necessary consent. The parties anticipate closing in calendar year 2010, with the new AC by Marriott brand to launch in 2011.

Deloitte Corporate Finance in Madrid is acting as the lead financial advisor to both parties in this transaction.

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