The arrival of the Marriott hotel name in Canberra is the latest sign that the national capital is "coming of age", the head of the industry's peak body says.
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The global giant announced on Thursday that it had struck a deal to partner with Geocon at its Midnight complex in Braddon.
The 199-room hotel will be added to Marriott's so-called Autograph Collection, which is made up of 180 individually-branded hotels in 30 countries around the world.
Geocon's Iconic Hotels will continue to own and operate the Northbourne Avenue hotel, which is due to open in September.
The wider $200 million Midnight development includes 250 apartments at the site of the old NRMA House.
Marriott International's area vice president of Australia, New Zealand and Pacific, Sean Hunt, said the nature of the relationship meant that Midnight Hotel would look and feel "individualised", but be supported by the "power and backing of Marriott".
That "backing" includes Marriott's 140-million strong customer base, which will for the first time be exposed to a Canberra market offering.
Geocon founder and managing director Nick Georgalis said the partnership would put Canberra on the radar for millions of potential visitors and customers.
"We keep talking about Canberra as an emerging city and it landing on the map," Mr Georgalis said.
"This [deal] is just another one of those long-list of things that are happening in Canberra that tick the box of it being a global city or a destination for global visitors."
Australian Hotels Association ACT-branch general manager Anthony Brierley said Marriott's arrival was a major vote of confidence in the Canberra market.
"It's another example of Canberra coming of age, like the city has grown up," Mr Brierley said.
"It shows so much confidence in what we are doing here."
The hotels' association has predicted the number of rooms in Canberra will jump by 30 per cent in the next two years, prompting warnings of mass vacancies unless more is done to boost visitor numbers during traditionally quiet periods.
But Mr Brierley said high-end brands such as Marriott and Hilton, which has presented a proposal to the ACT government to open in Canberra, would fill a existing gap in the market.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr has for years been encouraging global brands to open their doors in the ACT, and most recently met with representatives from Fullerton Hotels during a trade mission to Singapore in July.
On Thursday, an ACT government spokesman welcomed news of Marriott's entrance into the Canberra market.
"The decision to bring the brand to the nation's capital demonstrates that Canberra is becoming a global city, and will support our booming tourism industry," the spokesman said.
"The Midnight Hotel will showcase bespoke Canberra products and local food and beverage offerings to further support and grow our local economy."