The world's number one hotel group is strengthening its footprint in Europe with the opening of new hotels in Austria, Poland, and Spain, under three different brands. While Courtyard by Marriott consolidates its presence in Vienna, Element by Westin and Sheraton are making their respective debuts in Wroclaw and Madrid.
Courtyard by Marriott strengthens its presence in Vienna
In Austria, Art-Invest Real Estate has finalized the acquisition of the Courtyard by Marriott Vienna Prater/Messe. Located in the "Viertel Zwei" district in Vienna, between the Prater, the Vienna Fair, and the Danube River, this hotel features 251 rooms along with various amenities such as a bar, a restaurant, meeting rooms, a fitness center, and a sauna. It has achieved the "Excellent" certification according to BREEAM standards, a British label that ensures construction sustainability.
The hotel is leased long-term to Borealis Hotel Group and is situated close to key sites like the University of Vienna, Ernst-Happel Stadium, and the Vienna Congress Center. According to Dr. Peter Ebertz, managing director of Art-Invest Real Estate, this acquisition allows them to "strengthen the portfolio with an established hotel ideally located in Vienna," while also offering long-term value enhancement opportunities. The hotel was acquired for the Core-Budget hotel fund, marking their first investment in Austria.
Element by Westin makes its debut in Wroclaw
In Poland, Marriott opened a new Element by Westin® hotel in Wroclaw in September 2024, marking the introduction of this brand in the city. With its 115 rooms, the hotel caters to the growing demand for extended stays, particularly for guests with active and eco-friendly lifestyles. The hotel offers rooms with kitchenettes, spacious living areas, and spa-inspired bathrooms, aiming to provide a "home away from home" comfort.
The hotel is located within the Wroclaw Business Garden, a large six-hectare business park well connected to the city center by public transport. In addition to modern facilities and electric vehicle charging stations, the hotel has received LEED Gold certification for its energy efficiency and is also pursuing Green Key certification. Wayne Androliakos, CEO of Hotel Co 51, stated, "We are excited to strengthen our relationship with Marriott International with this well-designed property," emphasizing the importance of this hotel in the evolution of the aparthotel segment in Poland.
Sheraton establishes itself in Madrid
Finally, in Spain, the Sheraton brand, also under the Marriott umbrella, will make its debut in Madrid in 2026. This hotel will be managed by ACHM Hotels by Marriott and will be located opposite the T4 terminal of Barajas-Adolfo Suárez Airport in Valdebebas. The building, covering an area of 10,000 square meters over 14 floors, will offer 200 rooms, as well as a swimming pool, a fitness center, meeting rooms, and other common spaces.
Antonio Catalán, president of ACHM Hotels, explains that "this new milestone is part of an ambitious development plan," aiming to position ACHM as the leading manager of Marriott hotels in Europe. This project is part of a broader strategy by the company, which plans to invest 100 million euros in 10 hotels in 2024. Javier Bravo, partner and director of the Hotel Division at Catella, adds that the future Sheraton will be "a symbol of quality and sustainability" and will enhance the hotel offering in Madrid.
