London's Grosvenor House Hotel and Dublin's Shelbourne Hotel join Marriott

The historic Grosvenor House Hotel in London and the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin have joined the Marriott International lodging portfolio under lease agreements with The Royal Bank of Scotland. In 2007, following extensive restorations of both hotels, the Grosvenor House will be converted to Marriott's prestigious JW Marriott brand, and the Shelbourne Hotel will join Marriott's Renaissance brand portfolio.

Opened in the late 1920s, the Grosvenor House hotel boasts frontage along Park Lane across from Hyde Park and encompasses the entire block between Upper Grosvenor Street, Mount Street and Park Street in one of London's most coveted postcode areas. The restoration will encompass its exterior façade, guest rooms, public space, dining areas, health club, kitchens and the addition of spa facilities. Upon completion, the hotel will offer 498 guest rooms and will be rebranded The  Grosvenor House, a JW Marriott Hotel, the first property to carry this flag in the United Kingdom.

The Shelbourne originally opened in 1824 and is located on St. Stephens Green in central Dublin. In 1922, the Irish Constitution was drafted and signed in the hotel, and the property still plays a prominent role in Irish society. Today, its lounge, the Horseshoe Bar, is a popular gathering place for members of Ireland's parliament and judiciary. Its restoration program will cover guest rooms, lobby and dining facilities, as well as the addition of central air conditioning in guest rooms, meeting rooms and public space. 

Upon completion, the hotel will offer 276 rooms and will be rebranded The Shelbourne, a Renaissance Hotel. It will be the eighth Renaissance-branded property in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Marriott International will operate both hotels during the restoration programs. 

"We are thrilled by the addition of these two sensational hotels to our global lodging portfolio and are delighted to be able to introduce our JW Marriott brand to London and to expand our Renaissance brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland," said Ed Fuller, president and managing director of international lodging for Marriott International.

Following completion of its restoration program, The Grosvenor House, a JW Marriott Hotel will have 498 guest rooms, a concierge lounge, a business center, a gift shop, and a health club and spa. Plans for its food and beverage offerings are still being developed.

Having one of the largest ballrooms in Europe with a banqueting capacity for over 2,000 guests, the hotel will offer 52,323 square feet of space, including a 21,528-square-foot Great Room, a 6,146-square-foot ballroom, 32 meeting rooms in various configurations providing a total of 24,251 square feet of space, and one 398-square-foot board room.

Following completion of its restoration program, The Shelbourne, a Renaissance Hotel will have 276 guest rooms, an addition of 86 rooms to its current accommodations mix. For dining and recreation, the hotel will have two restaurants and three lounges. Other amenities will include a gift shop, health club with indoor swimming pool, a business center and off-site valet parking.

For conferences and social events, the hotel will have 12,249 square feet of space, including a 3,940-square-foot Great Room, 10 individual meeting rooms offering a combined total of 5,909 square feet, and the addition of three new meeting rooms offering a total of 2,400 square feet.