Boise’s Largest Hotel Opens Downtown With Dual Marriott Brands and 16th-Floor Restaurant
Downtown Boise’s newest and largest hotel opened its doors this week, bringing two distinct Marriott brands under one roof — along with a rooftop restaurant being called the project’s “crown jewel.” The AC Hotel Boise Downtown and Element by Westin Boise Downtown, developed by Eagle-based Pennbridge Hospitality, share a building at the corner of 10th Street and Grove Street, adding 296 rooms and suites to the city’s hospitality market.
A Dual-Brand First for Boise
The project marks the first dual-branded hotel in downtown Boise — a concept that took shape when Pennbridge weighed plans for two separate properties. Pennbridge co-founder and co-owner Jared Smith, a Boise native, said the pairing made sense once Marriott opened the door to dual-branded development.
“These are the best two brands that Marriott has right now that are not in Boise,” Smith said. “Let’s just put them together.”
Smith noted his company previously built the Residence Inn a few blocks away, deepening the firm’s long-running partnership with Marriott. The new property at 1005 W. Grove St. was first announced in 2022.
The building’s main entrance opens into the AC Hotel lobby, featuring dark wood and high-end European-inspired art. A café area near the lobby entrance will serve Starbucks coffee and light food. A shared front desk sits at the center of the ground floor, with the Element lobby — decorated in lighter blues and greens, with communal touches like board games — on the opposite side. Floors three and four serve as a 260-stall parking garage open to both hotel guests and the general public.
Two Hotels, Two Different Guests
While the two brands share a building and a front desk, their offerings are deliberately distinct. The Element by Westin, occupying floors five through seven, is designed for extended stays. Every room includes a kitchen, and the design emphasizes open spaces and wellness. A complimentary breakfast — including build-your-own options and hot cook-to-order items — is included with each stay, and guests also have access to beer, wine, and charcuterie-style snacks in the evenings.
A standout feature of the Element floors is a pair of Studio Commons spaces: private suites with a full kitchen and living area that can be combined with up to four surrounding hotel rooms. Pennbridge Regional Director of Sales Tanya Minor described the setup as blending the independence of a private rental with the amenities of a full-service hotel — suitable for bridal parties, business retreats, or traveling sports teams.
The AC Hotel occupies floors eight through 15 with 175 rooms featuring minimalistic design, darker color palettes, and high-end finishes. Room configurations include single king and double queen options, plus five one-bedroom suites on the building’s northeast corner. The brand, which originated in Spain before being acquired by Marriott, is positioned for business and leisure travelers on shorter stays.
“I think the same guest will come to both at different times,” Smith said. “If someone is going to be here for a while and they want more space, they’re going to go with The Element.”
The Boise Post: A 16th-Floor Restaurant With Foothills Views
Crowning the building is The Boise Post, a restaurant on the 16th floor with panoramic views of the downtown skyline and the Boise foothills. Smith described the venue as a gathering place and the defining feature of the entire development.
“Having such a high-scale hotel, we really want to put the cherry on top,” Smith said of the restaurant. “It’s an opportunity. It’s a gathering location.”
The addition of nearly 300 hotel rooms and a high-profile rooftop dining destination represents a meaningful boost to downtown Boise’s hospitality capacity. The project arrives as the city continues to see significant investment in its urban core — including the Greater Boise Auditorium District’s ongoing expansion plans, which have secured additional downtown parcels in recent months.
What Comes Next
The AC Hotel Boise Downtown and Element by Westin Boise Downtown are open for reservations. The property is located at 1005 W. Grove St. in downtown Boise. Prospective guests can book directly through Marriott’s reservation system or contact the hotel for group inquiries, including the Studio Commons spaces. The Boise Post restaurant is also expected to serve the broader public, not just hotel guests.
For readers following broader development trends in the Treasure Valley, Boise State University’s 10-year campus plan also outlines significant investment in housing, lab facilities, and Greenbelt improvements that could further shape the area around downtown in the years ahead.