Two Historic Properties in the U.K. and Ireland Join Marriott International Lodging Portfolio
London's Grosvenor House Hotel and Dublin's Shelbourne Hotel to be Converted To JW Marriott and Renaissance Brands, Respectively
WASHINGTON, The historic Grosvenor House Hotel in London and the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin have joined the Marriott International, Inc.
Opened in the late 1920s, the Grosvenor House hotel boasts frontage along Park Lane across from Hyde Park and encompasses the entire block between Upper Grosvenor Street, Mount Street and Park Street in the most coveted London postcode. The restoration will encompass its exterior facade, guest rooms, public space, dining areas, health club, kitchens and the addition of spa facilities. Upon completion, the hotel will offer 498 guest rooms and will be rebranded The Grosvenor House, a JW Marriott Hotel, the first property to carry this flag in the United Kingdom.
The Shelbourne originally opened in 1824 and is located on St. Stephens Green in central Dublin. In 1922, the Irish Constitution was drafted and signed in the hotel, and the property still plays a prominent role in Irish society. Today, its lounge, the Horseshoe Bar, is a popular gathering place for members of Ireland's parliament and judiciary. Its restoration program will cover guest rooms, lobby and dining facilities, as well as the addition of central air conditioning in guest rooms, meeting rooms and public space. Upon completion, the hotel will offer 276 rooms and will be rebranded The Shelbourne, a Renaissance Hotel. It will be the eighth Renaissance-branded property in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Marriott International will operate both hotels during the restoration programs.
"We are thrilled by the addition of these two sensational hotels to our global lodging portfolio and are delighted to be able to introduce our JW Marriott brand to London and to expand our Renaissance brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland," said Ed Fuller, president and managing director of international lodging for Marriott International.
JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts is Marriott's distinctive collection of luxurious hotels providing attentive personal service, elegant accommodations and an extensive array of services desired by the world's most discerning travelers. The collection currently encompasses 32 properties in 16 countries.
Following completion of its restoration program, The Grosvenor House, a JW Marriott Hotel will have 498 guest rooms, a concierge lounge, a business center, a gift shop, and a health club and spa. Plans for its food and beverage offerings are still being developed.
Having one of the largest ballrooms in Europe with a banqueting capacity for over 2,000 guests, the hotel will offer 52,323 square feet of space, including a 21,528-square-foot Great Room, a 6,146-square-foot ballroom, 32 meeting rooms in various configurations providing a total of 24,251 square feet of space, and one 398-square-foot board room.
Renaissance Hotels & Resorts is an upscale, distinctive, sophisticated full-service hotel brand designed to enhance the enjoyment and productivity of its guests. Renaissance guests can expect stylish, comfortable environments, respectful service and contemporary restaurants that feature well-defined, quality dining experiences.
Following completion of its restoration program, The Shelbourne, a Renaissance Hotel will have 276 guest rooms, an addition of 86 rooms to its current accommodations mix. For dining and recreation, the hotel will have two restaurants and three lounges. Other amenities will include a gift shop, health club with indoor swimming pool, a business center and off-site valet parking.
For conferences and social events, the hotel will have 12,249 square feet of space, including a 3,940-square-foot Great Room, 10 individual meeting rooms offering a combined total of 5,909 square feet, and the addition of three new meeting rooms offering a total of 2,400 square feet.
In London, the Marriott International lodging portfolio is represented by eight Marriott and Renaissance hotels offering 2,417 rooms. Two additional hotels will open later this year at Canary Wharf – the 301-room London Marriott West India Quay and the 47-unit Marriott Executive Apartments West India Quay.
In Ireland, the Marriott International portfolio is represented by the 148-room Druids Glen Marriott Hotel & Country Club located about 25 miles south of Dublin.
Marriott International is a leading worldwide hospitality company with over 2,600 lodging properties in the United Sates and 68 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Ramada International brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club International, Horizons, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Marriott Grand Residence Club brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. Marriott is also in the synthetic fuel business. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., has approximately 128,000 employees, and was ranked as the lodging industry's most admired company and one of the best places to work for by Fortune magazine. For more information or reservations, please visit out web site at www.marriott.com.
