Marriott International Sets Its Focus on Cartagena, Colombia

Cartagena, COLOMBIA -- Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) announced plans to open two new hotels in Cartagena, Colombia by 2018. The 210-room AC Hotel by Marriott Cartagena and the 201-room Cartagena Marriott Hotel will mark the company's first hotels in the beautiful city of Cartagena.

"Cartagena is the most important resort destination in Colombia and we are thrilled to finally be opening hotels there," said Laurent de Kousemaeker, Chief Development Officer of the Caribbean & Latin America region for Marriott International. "The blend of its economic and corporate activity generated by the Port, the leisure appeal of its magical historic walled colonial city, annual festivals and nearby Caribbean beaches; combined with the group demand with its solid convention facilities and improved international connectivity, provides all the necessary ingredients for a thriving destination."

According to the World Travel Organization, in 2014 the colonial city of Cartagena welcomed 11% of Colombia's foreign visitors, not to mention the millions of domestic travelers.

"The fact that we are announcing two new hotels from the largest and most innovative hotel company means our city continues to rise in the eyes of the world," said Manuel Vicente Lopez, the new city mayor of Cartagena. "We look forward to continuing to host millions of tourists each year to Cartagena and welcoming them into world-class hotels like the Cartagena Marriott Hotel and AC by Marriott Cartagena".

Cartagena Marriott Hotel
The Cartagena Marriott Hotel project is located on Avenida Santander in the Marbella district of Cartagena, approximately halfway between the airport and the historic walled colonial city, and will have beach and lake access and views. The Hotel will be part of a large mixed-use development that will include offices, a shopping center, a state-of-the-art movie theater and a casino.

Apart from the 201 modern and spacious guestrooms and suites, the property will have two restaurants, a pool bar and grill two coffee shops, a lobby bar, fitness center with an outdoor swimming pool, and ample meeting and event space.

The hotel is being developed by Prodesa S.A. and their partners under a franchise agreement with Marriott International.

AC by Marriott Cartagena

On the other side of the historic walled colonial city, in the Bocagrande neighborhood of Cartagena, the AC Hotel by Marriott Cartagena project is located on Avenida Santander.

The new AC Hotels brand offers sophisticated European style with approachable design for a unique urban feel. The property will feature a beautiful swimming pool deck, a restaurant and AC Bar and Lounge, state-of-the-art fitness center and over 350 square meters of meeting space.

The hotel is being developed by Spazio Urbano S.A. and will be managed directly by Marriott International.

Media Contact

Laura Botelho

Public Relations Director, Caribbean & Latin America [email protected]