Marriott International plans to double its portfolio in Europe by 2015, according to a statement by the company at the International Hotel Investment Forum.

The company operates 174 hotels in Europe and envisages increasing its offer from 40,000 rooms to 80,000 rooms by 2015. Seven of Marriott's 18 brands are represented currently in Europe: Ritz-Carlton, Bvlgari, JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance Hotels, Courtyard by Marriott and Marriott Executive Apartments. In addition, the first European Residence Inn, an extended-stay brand, will open in Munich in 2012.

The development pipeline in Europe includes nearly 30 projects, among which are the Renaissance Moscow Monarch Center Hotel, the Courtyard by Marriott Budapest and the JW Marriott Hotel Ankara, all scheduled to open later this year.

Expansion plans for Europe also include two new brands: Edition, a boutique-lifestyle collaboration between Ian Schrager and Marriott; and the Autograph Collection, comprising independent hotels and resorts from around the world representing upper-upscale and luxury properties with distinctive personalities

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