January 11, 2012 - Autograph Collection, announced today that The Carlton Hotel in New York City, an iconic property in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, has officially become part of its distinctive portfolio, comprised of equally upscale and independent hotels, each with a unique personality. Erected over a century ago a few steps from Madison Square Park, The Carlton Hotel is a time-honored centerpiece with 317 well-appointed, deluxe guest rooms that include rich, vintage décor with a contemporary twist.

As the second New York City hotel to join the Autograph Collection, The Carlton Hotel is the 27th property to join this growing collection of hotels that unites exceptional, independent hotels, selected accordingly for their distinctive style and ability to provide exclusive experiences to its guests. Members of Autograph Collection have the ability to access Marriott International’s global sales and marketing channels, including the company’s industry leading Marriott Rewards program, while maintaining their individual hotel brand identity.

“The Carlton Hotel is an ideal addition to our portfolio, as it is effortlessly aligned with the Autograph Collection’s mission to provide original and unparalleled travel experiences,” said Kip Vreeland, vice president for Autograph collection. “The Autograph Collection’s successful and rapid expansion is attributed to our keen sense of understanding what discerning travelers want and carefully selecting hotels with unique characteristics that speak to those needs – The Carlton Hotel being our most recent addition.”

“We are thrilled to be in the company of some of the world’s most unique hotels through our affiliation with Autograph Collection,” said Jeff McIntyre, Partner of Gemstone Hotels & Resorts.

Initially opened in 1904 as the Hotel Seville, The Carlton Hotel was originally designed and completed by Harry Allen Jacobs in Beaux-Arts style architecture with interiors graced by vintage decoration and furnishings heavily inspired by the Art Nouveau movement. The hotel was one of the originating structures at the turn of the century that spurred the neighborhood’s transformation into a fashionable area now lined with various high-rises. In 2010, the hotel completed a multi-million dollar redesign, led by world-renowned architect David Rockwell, which incorporated modern elements that enhanced its original design while still preserving the hotel’s historic old-world charm. “With our rich New York history and reputation for exceptional service and commitment to our guests, we are confident this will be a successful partnership.” Said Victor Freeman, General Manager of The Carlton Hotel.

The Carlton Hotel, managed by Gemstone Hotels & Resorts, is located on Madison Avenue and 29th Street in the heart of Manhattan. The property features one of the city’s most beautiful hotel lobbies and serves as a historic reminder of New York’s elegant past. The 317-room luxury property boasts over 6,000 square feet of meeting space and seven unique meeting rooms ideal for everything from intimate business affairs to large-scale corporate and social events.

Recently voted as one of America’s “Best New Restaurants” by Esquire magazine, Millesime, French for vintage, is a vibrant seafood brasserie within The Carlton Hotel. Helmed by 2-Michelin starred Chef Laurent Manrique, Millesime’s menu includes Manrique's signature dishes of Moroccan-inspired tuna tartare and Lobster Pot au Feu, in addition to classically prepared seafood dishes. The elegant upstairs dining room features a 100-year-old mosaic floor, a Tiffany Dome skylight, a marble oyster bar and a custom Bonnet open kitchen. The downstairs Salon is a casual yet stylish destination where some of the country’s up-and-coming musicians perform nightly as part of their new music series.

The hotel is now available for booking www.autographhotels.com.

About Autograph Collection
The Autograph Collection is an evolving ensemble of strikingly independent luxury hotels. Each destination has been selected for its bold originality, rich character and uncommon details. From near to far, iconic to historic, the result is an array of properties that is nothing less than completely unique, nothing short of collectively exceptional. For more information please visit www.autographhotels.com

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ABOUT THE CARLTON HOTEL
Having recently undergone a multi-million dollar renovation by world renowned architect David Rockwell of The Rockwell Group, The Carlton Hotel blends old world luxury and Beaux-Arts flourishes, with stylish modernism. The Carlton Hotel features one of the city’s most beautiful hotel lobbies. The vaulted ceilings, marbled floors, floor-to-ceiling suede paneled walls; soothing waterfall and rich mahogany frame the lobby. Originally designed by Harry Allen Jacobs, and completed in 1904 as The Seville Hotel, The Carlton serves as a historic reminder of New York’s elegant past. An inspired fusion of old-world elegance with distinct contemporary energy and glamour, the century-old Carlton’s blend of historic and modern design perfectly captures the city’s spirit. Millesime, deriving from the French word for vintage, is the new restaurant in the Carlton Hotel. An organic collaboration not just by namesake, Millesime is built within the historically landmarked details known in the space, including the exquisite 1904 Tiffany-style glass dome skylight and the extraordinary mosaic floor. Millesime, accessible from the Carlton Hotel’s lobby, exists on two floors and offers a menu which draws its inspiration from the classic seafood dishes found throughout France complimented by a variety of specialty cocktails. www.carltonhotelny.com.

ABOUT GEMSTONE HOTELS & RESORTS
Headquartered in Park City, Utah, with offices in Stamford, Conn., Gemstone Hotels & Resorts, is a full-service management and asset management company that specializes in luxury and upscale urban hotels and complex resorts. The company is engaged in complex resort and unique hotel management for a variety of major hotel real estate investors and owners. Gemstone currently owns, manages or asset manages more than 15 projects. Additional information about the company may be found at www.gemstoneresorts.com.