Marriott International is to expand its brand in southern Europe after signing a joint venture (JV) with Spanish group AC Hotels.
The JV will see both groups work under the joint brand, AC by Marriott.
All 90 existing AC hotels in Spain, Italy and Portugal are to be rebranded, with the first entering the market next year.
The co-brand will use the four-star concept of AC Hotels, backed up by Marriott's sales and distribution platforms and its Marriott Rewards loyalty programme.
The hotel groups said they hoped AC by Marriott would become a market leader in Europe and Latin America in the urban, four-star hotel category.
Antonio Catalán, founder of AC Hotels, will continue to oversee the hotels from the group's headquarters in Madrid.
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