December 2, 2010 - Marriott International, Inc. today announced a new addition to its luxury JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts portfolio, the 261-room JW Marriott Hotel Cannes. In early 2011, the stunning Palais Stephanie hotel, located on Cannes’ famous La Croisette, will be re-branded a JW Marriott Hotel under a management agreement with Jesta Group.

Cannes, world-renowned for luxury and style, is located on France’s Cote d’Azur and is home to the annual star-studded Cannes Film Festival. The hotel was built on the former site of the Palais des Festivals of Cannes, the original site of the International Film Festival from its inception  in 1946 to the mid 1980’s. Recently renovated, the hotel now boasts modern, vibrant design reflecting its glamorous film heritage, paying  tribute to the legendary film stars of the past including Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot, and Elizabeth Taylor.

“We are thrilled with this opportunity to bring our JW Marriott brand to Cannes. JW Marriott is one of the world’s fastest growing luxury brands, and as we continue to grow throughout Europe we are very excited to add this spectacular hotel in such a superb location to our collection in partnership with the Jesta Group,” said Amy McPherson, president and managing director for Marriott International in Europe.

Mr. Elliott Aintabi, chairman and CEO of the Jesta Group said, “We are very pleased to be partnering with Marriott and introducing the world-class JW Marriott brand in France. We are confident the JW Marriott Hotel Cannes will be one of the finest addresses in the city and we look forward to many years of a successful partnership with Marriott International.”

Earlier this year, Marriott announced its goal of doubling its portfolio in Europe by 2015. The JW Marriott brand is reserved for select luxury properties in key gateway cities and distinctive resort locations. These elegant hotels offer accomplished travelers a luxury travel experience with a distinct sense of place that appropriately reflects the genuine flavor of their surroundings.

The JW Marriott Hotel Cannes will offer 261 guestrooms boasting contemporary furnishings and a warm and sophisticated color palette including hand-stitched leather accents and upholstered walls. The hotel will also offer a number of luxurious ocean-facing suites with panoramic views of Cannes and the Mediterranean Sea.

The lively rooftop offers a heated swimming pool and jacuzzis and the hotel will boast one of Cannes’ only private sandy beaches for guests to enjoy as well. For dining, La Scena Lounge Bar and Restaurant serves up an eclectic menu of specialties from Italy, Japan and France.

For stylish meetings and events, the JW Marriott Hotel Cannes will offer an 820-seat theatre auditorium and 16 meeting rooms with 12,900 square-feet of flexible space.

The JW Marriott brand represents Marriott International’s fastest growing luxury brand with growth plans calling for another 20 properties expected to open over the next five years, bringing the total portfolio to more than 65 hotels in 27 countries. Earlier this year, the brand celebrated the opening of four landmark hotels, the JW Marriott Marquis Miami, the JW Marriott Hotel Chicago, JW Marriott Hotel Los Angeles at L.A. Live and the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa.  Future locations include the JW Marriott Indianapolis Downtown (USA), the JW Marriott Hotel Bangalore (India) and the JW Marriott Gaakoshibee Resort & Spa (Maldives).

About JW Marriott
JW Marriott is part of Marriott International’s luxury portfolio and consists of beautiful properties in gateway cities and distinctive resort locations around the world. These elegant hotels cater to today’s sophisticated, self-assured travelers, offering them the quiet luxury they seek in a warmly authentic, relaxed atmosphere lacking in pretense. JW Marriott properties artfully provide highly crafted, anticipatory experiences that are reflective of their locale so that their guests have the time to focus on what is most important to them. Currently, there are 45 JW Marriott hotels in 19 countries; by 2013 the portfolio will encompass 73 properties in 28 countries.