By Callan Smith | Social Media Coordinator Rose Law Reporter
Focusing on the little things, simple and sophisticated is what AC Hotels by Marriott, a Marriott International European-inspired lifestyle brand, brings to its clientele and now to Tempe, where the first AC Hotel will open in the Western U.S., coming in as the 10th location in the country. It will also be the first hotel located on Tempe Town Lake, at the Hayden Ferry Lakeside corporate park within walking distance of Mill Avenue and ASU. The hotel was designed by award-winning architectural firm, HKS, Inc. inc Phoenix with a theme that features an earth and water concept, highlighted by monochromatic tones.
AC Hotels by Marriott comes from Spanish roots, founded in 1998 by renowned hotelier Antonio Catalan, becoming one of the most well respected hotel brands in Spain. Following its growth into additional markets such as Italy and Portugal, a joint venture was formed with Marriott International in 2011, launching AC Hotels by Marriott globally into France, Denmark and the U.S.
Word of the AC Hotel project first came in July 2014 when Woodbine Development and Marriott Hotels provided the development proposal to Tempe’s Development Review Commission. To ensure that the proposed hotel would meet neighborhood standards, representatives from Woodbine meet with residents at the Hayden Ferry Lakeside condominiums, something not required by the commission, where they received a positive review. The area at Tempe Town Lake attracted Woodbine and Marriott due to the “job growth and action with Marina Heights and Mill Avenue”, said Kristopher Harmon project manager and legal counsel for Woodbine Southwest when he was asked about the proposed AC Hotel.
The AC Marriott brand believes that purposeful design improves lives, providing thoughtful moments, helping guests focus on what’s important. During their stay guests will receive only the items and services they need, without paying for those they don’t.
The AC Marriott Hotel Tempe/Phoenix has six stories and 159 guest rooms with clean lines and hardwood floors. There is a rooftop 
pool, offering views of Tempe and ASU’s Sun Devil Stadium. Guests will have access to a fitness center with floor to ceiling windows, and the AC Library, a work center with digital features along with the AC Store, a 650 square feet of meeting space, complimentary Wi-Fi and covered garage parking. There is also the AC lounge, providing a twist on the traditional hotel bar with craft beers, cocktails, specialty wines and tapas-style small bites. The AC Kitchen serves European-inspired continental breakfast and Nespresso coffee.
In under a month guests will begin arriving, deciding for themselves if the amenities and simple elegance of the AC Marriott Tempe/Phoenix will become a mainstay for travelers coming to work, play and relax in Tempe.
