BETHESDA, MD—Marriott International Inc. is set to open nearly 40 luxury hotels in 2018 with 200 hotels in the development pipeline, representing 25 new countries, from Iceland and Nepal to Cuba and the Philippines.
“From former palaces in Venice and Vienna, to skyscrapers in Hong Kong and Dubai, to intimate, remote escapes in the Maldives and Mexico, the breadth of our portfolio is incomparable and allows us to surpass the expectations of our guests around the globe,” said Tina Edmundson, global brand officer, Marriott International. “We see luxury as a launch pad for self-actualization, with bucket lists evolving from where you want to go to who you can be. With data showing a global shift in perception around luxury, we are uniquely positioned to provide personalized and truly differentiated experiences that resonate with this next-generation jetsetter.”
Personalized Fulfillment is the Future of Luxury
A global luxury study conducted in partnership with Skift, a travel industry intelligence platform, revealed that the number one priority for luxury travelers is centered around transformative travel and authentic experiences that provide a new perspective on the world.
Edmundson continued: “Today’s global luxurian defies traditional stereotypes, moving far beyond the antiquated notion of ‘time’ being the ultimate luxury. Our guests are on a journey toward personal fulfillment, seeking meaningful and purposeful travel experiences that speak to their inner, idealized selves, whether that be creating a signature dish at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman’s Culinary Studio, prioritizing wellness by tapping into on-demand fitness with JW Marriott’s Behind the Barre program, recharging in an over-water villa at The St. Regis Maldives or exploring one of the world’s most energetic cities through a W Insider.”
The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis Hotels & Resorts
With 94 hotels in 31 countries, The Ritz-Carlton seeks to set the standard in luxury in 2018. The brand recently marked the opening of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de La Paix, Geneva and in 2018 is slated to debut six locations, including China’s Jiuzhaigou Valley.
The coming year will also see renovations of key properties including The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin and The Ritz-Carlton, Istanbul. With three Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties open, the debut of Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Los Cabos adds to the luxury landscape. St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, with 42 hotels in 21 countries today, is scheduled to celebrate the renovation of The St. Regis Rome in 2018, as well as openings in destinations such as Cairo and Amman, Jordan. This follows recent debuts, including The St. Regis Shanghai Jingan and The St. Regis Astana.
W Hotels
W Hotels is on track to reach 75 hotels by 2020. In 2017, the lifestyle brand saw the debut of W Shanghai – The Bund and W Bellevue. In 2018, the brand is poised for growth with eight hotels set to open, ranging from Tel Aviv, Israel, and Dubai to Brisbane, Australia, and Panama City, Panama.
Edition
With seven new properties scheduled to launch across three continents, and many more in the pipeline, 2018 will mark a pivotal moment for Edition, according to the brand.
The collection is expected to grow from four to 11 properties by the end of 2018. Following The Sanya Edition’s launch in December 2016, the brand’s Asian presence is scheduled to expand with two additional properties launching in Shanghai and Bangkok in 2018.
In addition, the brand’s second and third European hotels are set for launch in Bodrum, Turkey, and Barcelona, Spain. Edition will launch its first outpost in the Middle East in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The brand plans to increase its U.S. presence with two properties located in New York’s Times Square and West Hollywood, CA.
The Luxury Collection
An ensemble of 102 hotels in more than 30 countries around the world, The Luxury Collection is set to debut 10 properties next year in locations that span the globe, including Los Cabos, Mexico; Savannah, GA; Vail, CO; and Okinawa, Japan.
JW Marriott
With 79 hotels and resorts in nearly 30 countries, including the recent openings of JW Marriott properties in Vancouver, Jaipur, India; and Phu Quoc, an island oasis off the coast of Vietnam, the brand is looking ahead to a spate of openings in 2018 in Nashville, TN, and the Maldives. JW Marriott is also planning multimillion-dollar renovations in more than half of its properties, including JW Marriott Bangkok and Grosvenor House, a JW Marriott Hotel.