Marriott International has revealed the iconic Atlantis, Paradise Island resort will become part of its Autograph Collection, a rapidly growing exclusive portfolio of over 60 independent hotels in key locations across the globe.

Named Caribbean’s Leading Casino Resort and Bahamas’ Leading Resort in 2013 by the World Travel Awards, the 3,400 room Atlantis, Paradise Island will operate under a franchise agreement with Marriott. 

Atlantis marks the collection’s first member resort in The Bahamas and will be the largest hotel in the portfolio.

The property, owned by Brookfield Asset Management and independently managed, is expected to officially join the Autograph Collection in the fall.

“Having Atlantis, Paradise Island join our Autograph Collection is a milestone achievement for the brand and the company,” said Arne Sorenson, president of Marriott International. 

“We are excited to partner with Brookfield and put the full power of Marriott behind one of the world’s most spectacular and popular resorts, while adding to our global resort portfolio in a key destination where we know our guests want to travel.”
 
Atlantis is a unique, ocean-themed destination offering a variety of guest accommodations; 40 restaurants, bars and lounges to satisfy any palate; the largest and most exciting casino in The Bahamas; extensive meeting facilities; and a marina capable of handling yachts of any size, all built around a 141-acre waterscape comprised of fresh and saltwater lagoons, pools and habitats.

Atlantis rises magically from the turquoise lagoons and blue Atlantic of The Bahamas, and is known worldwide as a resort destination that has truly redefined entertainment and gaming in the tropics.

The addition of Atlantis, Paradise Island is the latest example of Marriott’s aggressive strategy to grow its lifestyle portfolio and inspire many of the world’s premier properties to partner with Autograph Collection.

Across all its brands in 2013, Marriott International opened nearly 26,000 new rooms, signed a record 387 projects with 67,000 rooms, and at year end had more than 195,000 rooms under development across five continents.

Fuelling this success is Marriott’s extensive portfolio of 18 brands, the broadest in the lodging industry.

Nearly 25 percent of the company’s overall development pipeline is in the luxury and lifestyle category, with plans to add more than 200 hotels over the next several years reflecting more than $15 billion of investment by owners and franchisees.

Atlantis will operate under a long term franchise agreement and Marriott will provide a $100 million mezzanine loan to the project.

The vision behind the Autograph Collection is to offer an evolving group of passionately independent hotel experiences ranging from a 15-room boutique hunting lodge in the mountains of Colorado to a 19th century neoclassical palace in the majestic city of Prague. 

Exactly like nothing else, each hotel is thoughtfully chosen for its quality, originality, bold character and capacity to offer today’s modern traveller a range of unique experiences suited to their individual sense of style and adventure.

While still relatively new, the distinct portfolio has proven to be a highly successful venture due to its discerning selection process and unique ability to create memories through enriching travel experiences.