St. Augustine's Historic Casa Monica Hotel First To Join Marriott's Autograph Collection (United States)
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St. Augustine's Historic Casa Monica Hotel First To Join Marriott's Autograph Collection (United States)
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Category: North America & West Indies / Carribean islands - United States - Industry economy -
New brands / Affiliations
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2010-03-19
The Kessler Hotel Group and Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) announced today the Casa Monica Hotel is the first property to become part of the Autograph Collection, Marriott's newest brand featuring independent iconic hotels and resorts. The 138 room Casa Monica Hotel is located in St. Augustine, Florida and one of seven Kessler hotels joining the Autograph Collection.
Earlier this year, Marriott introduced the Autograph Collection brand, as a group of independent hotels and resorts representing upper-upscale and luxury properties with distinctive personalities. To launch the Autograph Collection, Marriott has partnered with Kessler, a renowned hotelier and avid art collector, whose independent properties are widely regarded as inspiring and unique. Six additional Kessler hotels are scheduled to join the Autograph collection through the end of April.
"It's exciting to see our vision for independent hotels offering a high level of personalized, intuitive guest service adopted by the internationally respected Marriott brand," said Richard Kessler, CEO, The Kessler Collection. "The global exposure and reservations potential offered by Marriott is outstanding, and I have great confidence in the plans developed for the Autograph Collection."
Casa Monica, the first of seven Kessler Collection properties to join the Autograph Collection, is a majestic, restored 1888 landmark hotel located in America's oldest city. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Casa Monica is St. Augustine's only AAA Four-Diamond hotel. Restored in 1999, Casa Monica blends a legendary past with contemporary comforts.
"We couldn't be more thrilled about this partnership," said Anthony Lazzara, General Manager, Casa Monica. "We look forward to working with Marriott to profile the historic Casa Monica hotel and St. Augustine, America's oldest city."
"By welcoming Casa Monica and future Kessler hotels into the Autograph Collection, Marriott has expanded the experiential offering to our guests around the world, including our 31 million Marriott Rewards members," said Don Semmler, executive vice president of global full service brands for Marriott. "Few hoteliers match Richard Kessler's dedication to the business and passion for the arts. We are pleased to offer our Marriott customers the opportunity to enjoy the truly unique guest experiences his team has created."
Kessler's private art collection boasts more than 10,000 works of art, ranging from oil paintings to glass, wood and bronze sculptures, among other mediums. Thousands of these works of art are displayed in Kessler Collection properties.
To commemorate the new partnership with Marriott International and the Autograph Collection, Kessler has commissioned the painting of an original work of art from noted expressionist-colorist Jean Claude Roy. Between March 22 and April 30, 2010, all guests of Kessler Hotels in the Autograph Collection will have a chance to win Roy's original work of art. One winner from each hotel will also be selected to receive a limited edition Giclee of the piece.
Six additional Kessler Collection hotels will hold the Autograph Collection designation:
-- El Monte Sagrado, Taos, New Mexico
-- Grand Bohemian Hotel, Asheville, North Carolina
-- The Mansion on Forsyth Park, Savannah, Georgia
-- Bohemian Hotel Riverfront, Savannah, Georgia
-- Grand Bohemian Hotel, Orlando, Florida
-- Bohemian Hotel Celebration, Celebration, Florida
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