MILWAUKEE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, a division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), and Marriott International, Inc. announced today the opening of the AC Hotel Chicago Downtown, bringing European timelessness and elegance to Chicago's Magnificent Mile. The 226-room hotel located at 630 N. Rush Street is the fourth AC Hotels by Marriott branded property to open in the U.S.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150601006241/en/

Located in Chicago's River North area, the heart of the city's shopping, dining and entertainment district, the AC Hotel by Marriott lifestyle brand targets the millennial traveler searching for a design-led hotel in a vibrant location with high-quality service. The brand boasts urban, simplistic and clean designs with European aesthetics and elegance, the latest technology and communal functional spaces. The result is elegant yet unpretentious style, innovative food and beverage programming and locally inspired experiences for both guests and locals.

"We are very excited to bring one of the first AC Hotels by Marriott in the U.S. to Chicago's popular River North area," said Gregory S. Marcus, president and CEO of The Marcus Corporation. "The urban-inspired feel and sleek, European designs make this brand the perfect fit for Chicago, providing guests with a cosmopolitan, yet relaxed atmosphere. This sophisticated, lifestyle brand will fit in perfectly with Chicago's fashion-forward, trendsetting environment, and will provide guests with a unique travel experience right in the heart of downtown."

Designed by The Gettys Group, an award-winning international hospitality consultancy headquartered in Chicago, the AC Hotel Chicago Downtown provides an energetic vibe, drawing from the runways and fashion houses of Milan. Taking influence from its European roots, the AC Hotel Chicago Downtown uses muted colors and monochromatic color schemes throughout, showcasing a timeless design that is both modern and refined.

Guestrooms and suites aim to please the millennial traveler, incorporating a tone-on-tone color scheme with clean lines, sleek furnishings, hardwood floors, luggage benches, separate showers and open closet systems. High-tech amenities include "kallpods," "media salons" with Bluetooth technology and USB charging stations, and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.

The AC Lounge is the place to start and end the evening. The communal space offers a bar area with handcrafted cocktails such as the signature Gintonic, craft beers in a can, including Chicago's very own Revolution, Spanish-inspired tapas and wine on tap. Kallpods allow guests to easily request a check, talk to a server or order an espresso any time of day. Chicago's best "Barcierges" blend a mixologist and concierge, connecting guests to the latest Chicago happenings with insider tips and recommendations on the local area and nightlife.

Adjacent to the AC Lounge, the AC Kitchen serves a European-inspired breakfast menu, such as all butter-Bridor croissants, artisan-cured meats and signature iced coffee. A Berkel artisan slicer allows guests to experience a taste of Europe each morning with Iberico inspired artisanal La Quercia Prosciutto, and a Nespresso machine is always on hand.

The AC Library, located just off the main lobby, is a collaborative space with communal tables, self-service business center and individual reading areas, providing a quiet space to work, think and be inspired. Guests can also enjoy a selection of books, magazines and guides to all that Chicago has to offer.

AC Fitness includes state-of-the-art equipment, yoga mats and free weights, open 24/7.

"Chicago is such a vibrant city with an active arts scene and energetic urban culture," said Toni Stoekl, VP Lifestyle Brands, Marriott International. "Located in the heart of the shopping district and within walking distance to the city's main tourist attractions, AC Hotel Chicago Downtown is situated perfectly for millennial travelers looking to experience everything the city has to offer."

Other amenities include outdoor terraces with views of the city, on-site parking and 3,000 square-feet of meeting space.

The new lifestyle hotel by Marriott is AC's first property in Illinois (second in the Midwest). Along with Chicago and other U.S. locations, AC Hotels by Marriott currently offers a portfolio of nearly 80 hotels throughout Spain, Italy, Portugal and France. Founded by Antonio Catalan, The AC Hotels by Marriott brand was launched in Europe in 2011 as a joint venture between Marriott International and Spain's AC Hotels. Today, more than 50 additional hotels are set to open within the next three years throughout the U.S. and Latin America.

Marcus Hotels & Resorts will own and manage the AC Hotel Chicago Downtown. To learn more about AC Hotels by Marriott or to book an experience at AC Hotel Chicago Downtown, visit http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chiac-ac-hotel-chicago-downtown.

For the latest news and updates from Marcus Hotels & Resorts, please visit http://media.marcushotels.com.

About Marcus Hotels & Resorts

Marcus Hotels & Resorts, a division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), owns and/or manages 20 hotels, resorts and other properties in 11 states. A force in the hospitality industry, Marcus Hotels & Resorts provides expertise in management, development and historic renovations. The company's portfolio includes a wide variety of properties including city-center meeting hotels, upscale resorts and branded first-class hotels. For more information on the latest news and updates, please visit: http://media.marcushotels.com and follow the company on Facebook and Twitter (@MarcusHotels).

About The Marcus Corporation

Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., The Marcus Corporation is a leader in the lodging and entertainment industries, with significant company-owned real estate assets. In addition to its Marcus Hotels & Resorts division, the company's movie theatre division, Marcus Theatres®, is the fifth largest theatre circuit in the United States and currently owns or operates 681 screens at 55 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and Ohio. For more information, visit the company's web site at www.marcuscorp.com.

About AC Hotels by Marriott

AC Hotels by Marriott is a lifestyle brand within the Marriott International global portfolio of 19 brands. AC Hotels currently offers a portfolio of more than 75 hotels throughout Spain, Italy, Portugal and France. The brand's first U.S. hotel debuted in New Orleans in November 2014. Growth plans for the brand include the opening of its next North American locations in Kansas City's stylish Westport neighborhood and in the heart of Miami Beach early this year and additional growth in Latin America and Europe. We expect more than 50 AC hotels to open within the next three years throughout the U.S. and Latin America.

Marriott International's luxury and lifestyle brands portfolio currently includes The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, EDITION, JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, the Autograph Collection, Renaissance Hotels, AC Hotels by Marriott and Moxy Hotels. Accounting for approximately 25 percent of the company's system-wide pipeline, Marriott expects to add more than 200 luxury and lifestyle hotel projects over the next several years, reflecting over $15 billion of investment by the company's owners and franchisees.

About Marriott International, Inc.

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 4,100 properties in 79 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVLGARI®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and Moxy Hotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 49 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150601006241/en/