Marriott Rewards (replaced by Marriott Bonvoy)

The Carlton Hotel New York joins Marriott Autograph Collection

The Carlton in Manhattan joins the Marriott family as the 27th hotel in the Autograph Collection brand. The Madison Avenue luxury hotel was previously a member of Preferred Hotel Group.

Originally opened in 1904 as the Hotel Seville, The Carlton Hotel recently  underwent a multi-million dollar makeover and is now a contemporary enclave for  both world travelers and local trendsetters who want to be in the middle of the action and surrounded by luxury in New York City.

The hotel is located in Midtown Manhattan and is only steps away from entertainment, architectural and shopping icons such as Madison Square Garden, the Empire State Building, and Macy’s flagship Herald Square store.

Back inside, the hotel includes stylish rooms, suites and public areas influenced by renowned designer David Rockwell; New York’s best new restaurant of 2011 as acclaimed by Esquire Magazine; and a vibrant nightlife and live entertainment scene that has featured performances by Ne Yo, Swiss Beatz, Tito Puente Jr. and N’Dea Davenport.

Property Highlights

  • Millesime Restaurant. Featuring the cuisine of 2 Michelin Star Executive Chef Laurent Manrique, the restaurant is a must for fans of classic seafood and fine French cuisine.
  • Salon Millesime. This lounge is the place to be and to be seen. You can relax with a cool cocktail, dine on small plates and listen to hip sounds from live performers or a select roster of all-star DJs.
  • The Waterfall. It cascades down two floors and comes to rest in the lobby, creating a dramatic backdrop as you enter the hotel.

I checked The Carlton Hotel website for a photo of this Waterfall and I don’t see it, unless it is water falling in front of the photo on the right?

a room with a round table and chairs
Carlton Hotel NY lobby.

I am not familiar with The Carlton Hotel so I saw much more information on the hotel’s own website with video and 40 photos of the hotel and rooms compared to the four photos on the Marriott Autograph Collection site. The rooms look like fully luxury furnished rooms to me.

a hotel lobby with a large room with a large balcony
The Carlton Hotel, New York is Marriott Autograph Collection member.

A common complaint I read about hotel loyalty programs is the sameness of the hotels in each brand. The Autograph Collection debunks that criticism of chain scale hotels by offering Marriott Rewards benefits and redemption opportunities at independent hotels partnering with Marriott.

Several hotel chains have launched alliance brands to attract high-end independent properties to a hotel loyalty program for marketing purposes. IHG has InterContinental Alliance Resorts, Choice has the Ascend Collection, Starwood has the Luxury Collection and Hilton has the Waldorf-Astoria Hotels & Resorts.

Marriott plans to add several more member hotels to the Autograph Collection over the next few months including Union Station Hotel in Nashville rebranded from a Wyndham Grand Hotel property to the Marriott Autograph Collection just today and hotels rebranding in New Orleans and Miami South Beach.

4 Comments

  • Phil January 13, 2012

    I’ve stayed here more times than I can remember as it used to be the hotel of choice under a corporate travel policy. To be blunt it sucks. We used to call it the “Carlton not Ritz”. For a corporate rate of $150-250 a night fine but otherwise this is not that exciting. The lobby looks pretty in pictures but in reality is very dark and dingy. Appreciate the more the merrier though

  • Lark January 13, 2012

    Would you consider Ritz Carlton and Autograph to be similar ‘categories’ of properties within the Marriott portfolio?

    It is unclear to me where exactly Ritz fits in the portfolio… But obviously there is close alignment.

    This looks like a great hotel! I might check it out in June on our visit.

  • Ric Garrido January 13, 2012

    Ritz-Carlton is definitely the top tier luxury brand for Marriott. I think most of the new Ritz-Carlton hotels are new build hotels.

    Autograph Collection was started in 2010 to attract upper upscale and luxury hotels to Marriott marketing that were recognized independent and boutique hotels.

  • david w January 14, 2012

    This Hotel is actually a beautiful botique hotel with gorgeous renovated rooms and a premier location, I am delighted to hear this news!!!

Comments are closed.

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