Design Hotels Continues Expansion With Signings Across the Globe

One of Marriott’s lesser-known — but very interesting — brands is Design Hotels, a collection of almost 300 independent hotels driven by style and the communities in which they’re located.

While Design Hotels may not command the spotlight like some other Marriott brands — such as W Hotels, Ritz-Carlton, or St. Regis Hotels and Resorts — it’s very much a brand on the move, having announced 29 signed agreements and growth to the tune of 10% of its global portfolio.

Here’s what’s new and what you can expect with the Design Hotels brand.

North American Growth Fueled by the U.S. and Mexico

Design Hotels achieves growth by signing agreements with existing or upcoming independent hotels and smaller independent brands. Associating with Design Hotels means having access to Marriott’s booking channels and its massive loyalty program, Marriott Bonvoy.

In the U.S., Design Hotels has expanded its relationship with Firmdale Hotels and signed new agreements with Drift Hotels and ASH to bring new properties on board in key locations across the country.

These include the Warren Street Hotel in New York City’s Tribeca neighborhood; the Ulysses, Baltimore; The Dean Providence; Drift Nashville; Hotel 850 SVB in West Hollywood; Granger Hotel Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego; Drift Santa Barbara; and Drift Palm Springs.

South of the border in Mexico, Design Hotels is strengthening its business with Grupo Habita to bring its count to over 25 hotels throughout the country. Highlights include the upcoming Tinte Hotel in the Yucatán Peninsula, Hotel Sevilla in Mérida, and Hotel Humano, set on the beach in Puerto Escondido.

Expansion in Europe and Asia

Design Hotels’ growth isn’t limited to North America. The brand is also working to expand its footprint in other regions of the world, notably Europe and Asia. Switzerland alone now has 15 Design Hotels properties in the country, including the newly opened Home Hotel Zurich and the soon-to-open Hôtel Borsari in Martigny.

Moving on to Asia, the brand has opened its fifth property in Georgia — Rooms Hotel Batumi — which boasts a beautiful setting on the Black Sea.

Additionally, Design Hotels plans to introduce properties in Bali, Istanbul, and Singapore.

Booking Design Hotels

While Design Hotels falls under the Marriott Bonvoy family of brands, not all Design properties participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program. You can find a list of participating hotels here.

If you book a participating property through Marriott’s website, you’ll be eligible to earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points for your stay. You’ll also receive applicable Marriott Bonvoy benefits during your stay, including welcome gifts for elite members, room upgrades (subject to availability) for elite members, bonus points for elite members, late checkout (dependent on elite level), and more.

It’s relatively easy to earn Marriott Bonvoy points. Marriott offers several co-branded credit cards, all of which offer solid welcome bonuses and some level of elite status. You can also transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards points to Marriott at a 1:1 ratio.

Final Thoughts

Design Hotels is a collection of independent, design- and community-driven properties in exceptional locations around the world. The brand has continued to expand by strengthening existing relationships with hotel brands and signing new agreements with others.

We’re looking forward to seeing how far this brand can go — and looking forward to further integration with the Marriott Bonvoy program!