The highly-anticipated 225-room AC Hotel Rio de Janeiro Porto Maravilha and the 378-room AC Hotel Rio de Janeiro Barra da Tijuca, have opened their doors, inviting guests to experience Brazil’s newest class of lifestyle hotels.

Ahead of the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, AC Hotels by Marriott celebrates the beauty of classic modern design with its European soul and Spanish roots, borne from the signature vision of renowned hotelier Antonio Catalan, who founded the brand in 1998.

The two Rio openings debut the brand in Brazil following a successful launch in Latin America with openings in Guadalajara and Queretaro Antea, Mexico.

Later this year, AC Hotels by Marriott is scheduled to expand its portfolio with hotels in Mexico City (Mexico), Panama City (Panama), and Santiago (Chile).

“We are thrilled to be bringing this new class of lifestyle hotel to two of Rio de Janeiro’s most dynamic neighbourhoods – Porto Maravilha and Barra da Tijuca,” explained Toni Stoeckl, vice president of lifestyle brands at Marriott International.

“Our rapidly growing portfolio of design-led hotels illustrates Marriott International’s commitment to making distinctive architecture and design affordable and accessible for creatives and entrepreneurs around the world.”

Based on a belief that purposeful design improves lives, AC Hotels carves away what is unnecessary, in order to provide guests with thoughtfully designed moments of beauty; experiences that elevate their stay and help them focus on what is important to them.

AC Hotel guests get only what they need, without paying for what they don’t.

The result is sophisticated yet unpretentious style, innovative beverage and food programming with locally inspired experiences for both guests and locals.

“Rio de Janeiro is certainly one of South America’s most vibrant cities with a thriving art scene and energetic urban culture,” said Tim Sheldon, president of the Caribbean and Latin America at Marriott International.

“With the recent opening of the Museu do Amanhã and the investment by the private sector and government in Porto Maravilha, we feel the AC Hotels brand will fit perfectly with the neighborhood’s revival.

“The AC Hotel Barra da Tijuca is centrally located in Barra and an excellent destination for next-generation travelers expected to visit the 2016 Summer Games in August.”