The brand will operate City Express properties in the Caribbean and Latin America.
Marriott International has reached an agreement to acquire the City Express brand portfolio comprised of 152 hotels.
The City Express portfolio includes hotels in 75 cities in Mexico, one hotel each in Costa Rica, Columbia, and Chile, along with five under-construction projects. The new brand name will include the signature “by Marriott” endorsement, joining 30 other brand names in the Marriott franchise system.
With this entry into the midscale hotel segment, Marriott will acquire the entire City Express portfolio, including City Express Plus, City Express Suites, City Express Junior, and City Centro, as well as the City Premios loyalty program.
“We’re excited to enter a new lodging category—the popular affordable midscale segment where we see significant potential,” says Anthony Capuano, CEO, Marriott International. “With City Express by Marriott, we will be providing our customers with more choice through a new, approachable, moderate-priced offering, increasing opportunity for owners and franchisees as well as associates.”
Hoteles City Express was founded in 2002 and is a Mexico-based company that was awarded the prestigious designation of “Marca Notoria” for its hospitality sector leadership and brand recognition across Latin America. “After having the opportunity to work with the Marriott team, we confirmed that we share common cultural values and a similar approach to hospitality,” says Luis Barrios, CEO of Hoteles City.
The transaction will make Marriott International the largest hotel company in the Caribbean and Latin America and is expected to close between late 2022 and the first half 2023.
