Marriott plans to add up to 150 new Moxy Hotels in 10 countries across Europe.  The new affordable, three-star brand with a contemporary style is aimed at generation X and generation Y travelers.  The first hotel is expected to open in Milan in early 2014.  From the Marriott press release:

Marriott plans to add 150 franchised MOXY HOTELS in Europe over the next 10 years, aiming for locations in Germany, Austria, United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium, Italy, The Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden.  The new brand will fuel Marriott’s company-wide growth in the region, which is expected to reach 80,000 rooms by 2015.

The guest rooms will be simple, yet technologically advanced.  From the press release:

The contemporary and stylish 150- to 300-room MOXY HOTELS, which are being designed with the goal of attaining LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, will cater to today’s budget-minded, savvy travelers who thrive on self-service and embrace new technology.  Guestrooms will be functional and well-designed, with upscale bath amenities, large flat screen televisions and built-in USB ports located within each wall socket. The color palette features calming neutral tones reminiscent of rich brown leather, combined with natural materials to evoke an organic, comfortable and restorative feel. Each room will also feature a floor to ceiling signature “art wall” that is hand selected to reflect the local city or surroundings.

Here is a video highlighting the new brand: Continue reading →