Marriott adds to its Autograph Collection in Europe

Now that Marriott International has acquired six luxury Boscolo Hotels for its growing Autograph Collection, it’s easier than ever to experience Italian design and elegance while traveling in Europe.

The Boscolo Hotel in Prague is one of the recent acquisitions by Marriott International for its Autograph Collection.

For those seeking European luxury for their journeys, the Autograph Collection, Marriott International’s fastest growing brand, is an ideal choice.

The Autograph Collection is an evolving ensemble of strikingly independent luxury hotels. Curated for the curious, each destination has been selected for its bold originality, rich character and uncommon details. From near to far, iconic to historic, the result is, according to the promotional literature: “a unique array of properties that is nothing less than completely eclectic, nothing short of collectively exceptional.”

A definite cut above

And the good news is that Marriott International recently announced that six luxury Boscolo Hotels in Europe will join the collection.  A year ago, Marriott International launched  the Autograph Collection. This group of exceptional independent luxury hotels were each hand-selected for their originality, character and uncommon details. The first four Autograph Collection Hotels in Europe were added in Spain in May of this year, and with the addition of these six Boscolo properties, located in some of Europe’s most beautiful cities, Autograph Collection has now grown to 26 properties globally.

For those who haven’t heard of Boscolo Hotels, they are exceptional lodging experiences. Boscolo Hotels operates 22 highly prestigious hotels in the most important European art and business cities. These hotels are inspired by the Italian principles of elegance, courtesy and trendsetting design in an effort to spread Italian hospitality. If you’ve ever stayed in one, you would agree that Boscolo Hotels are unique pearls and are definitely outstanding ambassadors of the Italian lifestyle.

So it’s easy to understand Marriott’s excitement over the announcement.

The first four hotels

The first four Boscolo Hotels will join Autograph Collection in September 2011, with the remaining two hotels expected to join by January 2012. The first four hotels are:

• Boscolo Palace Roma, Rome, Italy
• Boscolo Venezia, Venice, Italy
• Boscolo Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
• Boscolo Budapest, Budapest, Hungary

In 2012, the following hotels will join the collection:

• Boscolo Exedra Roma, Rome, Italy
• Boscolo Milano, Milan, Italy

“These Boscolo Hotels are an incredible addition to the Autograph Collection,” said Amy McPherson, president and managing director for Marriott International in Europe. “Located in some of the most spectacular cities in the world, each hotel is truly one-of-a-kind. Autograph Collection is an exceptional opportunity for both Marriott and our hotel partners, as we are now able to offer truly original and independent hotel experiences to our guests and as part of Autograph Collection, our partner hotels are able to tap in to the power of Marriott’s sales and reservations engines.”

Giorgio Boscolo, vice president Boscolo Group added, “We are proud to join the Marriott family and the Autograph Collection, and have great confidence in Marriott’s ability to help us gain additional global exposure and reach new markets. We look forward to offering our guests new experiences, embracing the heart of each city with a warm Italian touch.”

What the hotels offer

Here’s a rundown of the new Autograph Collection hotels:

Boscolo Palace Roma. This vibrant 87-room property is a rare jewel located on Rome’s famed Via Veneto. Designed in the 1920′s by Marcello Piacentini, the elegant boutique hotel just completed a top-to-bottom restoration, bringing its historical beauty back to life with modern touches.

Boscolo Venezia. Located in Venice, this 72-room hotel is housed in the historic Palazzo Rizzo Patarol, formerly home to the French embassy. The hotel boasts the largest private park in Venice, which once was host to Vivaldi’s violin concerts.

Boscolo Prague. A spectacular 152-room hotel, the Boscolo Prague is a masterpiece of art and architecture. Located in Prague’s historical centre, the hotel is housed in the former headquarters of the Czech postal service.

Boscolo Budapest. Located in the heart of Budapest, this opulent 185-room property was built in 1894 and is celebrated for its beautiful and grand New York Cafe, a historical point of gathering of European novelists and artists, unique in its stucco and gold decor.

Boscolo Exedra Rome. This 238-room hotel is located on a magnificent piazza within the ancient Roman ruins of the Diocletian Baths and the Basilica degli Angeli designed by Michelangelo. Boasting a rooftop terrace and pool overlooking the eternal city, the hotel is the ultimate in luxury.

Boscolo Milan. Inspired by a fusion of Italian style, art and design, the 154-room this amazing hotel is the most modern of the collection. It is located in the heart of Milan’s bustling fashion district and offers sweeping views of the Duomo.

The Autograph Collection is expected to grow to include up to 40 independent hotel properties throughout the United States, Europe, Caribbean and Latin America by the end of the year. Visit www.autographhotels.com for more information. For reservations, go to www.marriott.com.

So, if you’re ready for an upgrade, contact Marriott and ask for an Autograph.