Marriott news: W Prague opens, London’s The Stratford joins Autograph

Marriott news in brief:

W Prague opens

Marriott has just launched its ‘W’ brand in the Czech capital and it is possibly the best interpretation yet of the new ‘luxury lifestyle’ positioning of W.

If you still see the brand as somewhere that 20-somethings would go to party, you are very much in the wrong place now.

W Rome and W Budapest were recent examples of where the brand is trying to go. In Prague, Marriott has converted the former Grand Hotel Evropa, a renowned Art Nouveau-style hotel. If you have ever been to Prague, you will have walked past it in Wenceslas Square.

As Marriott says:

“As we debut W Prague, we’re not just opening a new hotel – we are breathing new life into one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. W Prague fuses the enchanted history of the storied destination with bold, visionary design, creating an experience that both honors the city’s deep cultural legacy and embraces its vibrant, modern energy. This opening is a further representation of W Hotels’ momentum in Europe and beyond, setting a fresh standard for what luxury can mean in the heart of such a beloved city.”

The new hotel has 161 rooms and suites, plus a signature W Lounge and the Above Rooftop bar. A new nine floor elliptical wing sits behind the original building.

From what I’ve read about the interior decoration, spa and food and beverage options, it sounds like something that is worth serious consideration if you are heading to Prague and potentially takes the W brand to a new level of sophistication. We hope to bring you a full review in the spring.

The hotel website is here. Cash rates for January weekends start at around £275 per night.

PS. If you are heading to Prague, I would also strongly recommend Hyatt’s Andaz Prague which I visited two years ago and which also resets your expectations about what the brand can offer.

The Stratford hotel joins Marriott’s Autograph Collection

Back in the UK, The Stratford hotel has quietly appeared on marriott.com as part of Autograph Collection.

Autograph Collection is Marriott’s ‘soft’ brand for luxury hotels which want to retain their individuality whilst also taking advantage of the marketing benefits of joining a ‘system’.

The hotel opened in May 2019 and occupies the lower six floors of the huge 42-storey Manhattan Loft Corporation skyscraper in the Olympic Park. There are 145 rooms in total.

It is a very short walk from The Gantry hotel, reviewed here, which is a member of Curio Collection, Hilton’s equivalent to Autograph.

The Stratford website is here.

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How to earn Marriott Bonvoy points and status from UK credit cards (January 2025)

There are various ways of earning Marriott Bonvoy points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

The official Marriott Bonvoy American Express card comes with 20,000 points for signing up, 2 points for every £1 you spend and 15 elite night credits per year.

You can apply here.

Marriott Bonvoy American Express

20,000 points for signing up and 15 elite night credits each year Read our full review

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points by converting American Express Membership Rewards points at the rate of 2:3.

Do you know that holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE Marriott Bonvoy Gold status for as long as they hold the card?  It also comes with Hilton Honors Gold, Radisson Rewards Premium and MeliaRewards Gold status.

We reviewed American Express Platinum in detail here and you can apply here.

The Platinum Card from American Express

50,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

You can also earn Marriott Bonvoy points indirectly:

• American Express Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Rewards Credit Card (10,000 bonus Amex points)

and for small business owners:

• American Express Business Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Business Platinum (50,000 bonus Amex points)

The conversion rate from American Express to Marriott Bonvoy points is 2:3.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which can be used to earn Marriott Bonvoy points. 

(Want to earn more hotel points?  Click here to see our complete list of promotions from the major hotel chains or use the ‘Hotel Offers’ link in the menu bar at the top of the page.)