The UK’s first two AC Hotels by Marriott, managed by Valor Hospitality Europe, have officially opened.
Situated at the heart of thriving urban locations – Manchester Salford Quays and at Birmingham’s ‘Mailbox’ – the hotels have undergone extensive refurbishment programmes, transforming them in to AC Hotels by Marriott.
AC Hotels is a design led lifestyle brand which originated in Europe. Aimed at the creative, well-travelled guest, the brand offers personalised experiences in well-designed spaces.
The openings mark a milestone for Valor Hospitality Europe which manages 20 hotels across the UK under franchise from Hilton, IHG and Marriott International.
Co-owners and managing partners, Euan McGlashan and Steve Cesinger formed Valor Hospitality Europe in November 2014. The company has ambitious expansion plans and aims to manage 50 hotels in the next five years. This growth will come through its existing relationship with MCAP Global Finance Ltd. (“MCAP”), which is a UK subsidiary of New York based investment adviser Marathon Asset Management, LP and from actively seeking new third party management contracts with other equity partners.
Brian McCarthy, managing director of Valor Hospitality Europe said: “It is fantastic to be working with Marriott to deliver the very first AC Hotels by Marriott hotels in two of the most celebrated commercial, shopping and cultural destinations in the UK”.
Tim Walton, Marriott International’s Regional Vice President of International Hotel Development for Western Europe, said: “These two properties are wonderful examples of our commitment to opening lifestyle hotels in thriving urban destinations where we see growing demand from increasingly discerning and style-conscious travellers.”
“The regenerated areas of Manchester’s Salford Quays and Birmingham’s Mailbox complex fit the AC Hotel brand’s progressive, urban design ethos perfectly and we are extremely proud to launch the UK’s first AC Hotels in these two flourishing locations in partnership with Valor Hospitality Europe.”
Each AC Hotel is designed to reflect the uniqueness and character of its urban location, combining a sophisticated European style with a contemporary feel.
The 142-room AC Hotel Manchester Salford Quays and the 90-room AC Hotel Birmingham offer unique spaces including the ‘AC Lounge’ and ‘AC Library’. AC Lounge is a creative hotspot by day and social hub by night with local craft beers, specialty wines, signature cocktails and a selection of tapas-style small bites. Meanwhile, the AC Library is a quiet space lined with interesting reading material and is another social space for guests to use to relax or hold a meeting.
AC Hotels Birmingham and Manchester Salford Quays are two of more than 22 AC hotels expected to open globally this year.