AC Hotels by Marriott has opened in Cape Town, its first property in Africa and the Middle East.

The 188-room AC Hotel Cape Town Waterfront is situated at the Yacht Club development of the V&A Waterfront, opposite the new cruise terminal and 400m from the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

AC lounge.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Marriott International Global President and CEO, Arne Sorenson, said: “There is so much about the future of Cape Town that is exciting. With the right kind of tourism policy, we should see arrivals into Cape Town and South Africa continue to grow. We very much want to be part of that.”

Middle East and Africa President and MD, Alex Kyriakidis, said: “South Africa is a very important market for us and is pivotal for our growth strategy across the Middle East and Africa. The opening of this property is in line with our commitment to support the growth of the tourism sector in South Africa, where we currently have a portfolio of over 60 hotels across six brands.”

The new hotel is owned and developed by the Amdec Group, marking its third collaboration with Marriott International, with another four projects in the pipeline. Amdec CEO, James Wilson, said Johannesburg Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch and Marriott Executive Apartments Johannesburg would open later this year, with the Harbour Arch development in Cape Town to follow.

Corner king or suite, facing the harbour.

With Spanish roots, the four-star AC Hotel Cape Town Waterfront introduces a “new way to hotel” to Cape Town, said GM, Michael Liffmann. “We provide everything essential you need and nothing you don’t. It’s simple, yet including basic luxuries and personalised service that ensure guests have a total sense of comfort and relaxation.” Lifestyle features include the AC Lounge serving signature beverages, tapas at the AC Kitchen, quick bites at the AC Market, the AC Library, a fitness centre, four meeting rooms and a boardroom. Green initiatives include a desalination plant, sensor lighting, heat pumps, biodegradable straws and packaging. “The target market is a mix of leisure and corporate, local and international.” Asked how the hotel would differentiate itself within the well-traded Cape Town hotel market, he said: “It’s a tricky market, but you need to be able to stand out from your competitor by doing things a bit differently, and that’s what we do.”