GULFPORT, Miss. | Nearly three years after Hurricane Katrina's devastation along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the Courtyard(R) by Marriott(R) Gulfport -- located at 1600 East Beach Boulevard in Gulfport -- has opened as the coast's premier beachfront hotel and meetings destination. The upscale property was to have begun its transformation on August 29, 2005, the day the hurricane reached land.

The Courtyard by Marriott Gulfport, converted from the independent Gulfport Beachfront Hotel, boasts a multi-million dollar renovation with fully refurbished guestrooms and the largest meeting and event facilities within a non-casino hotel on the Gulf Coast. Located among 26 miles of pristine beach along the Gulf of Mexico, the hotel is seven miles from downtown Biloxi and minutes from the Gulfport-Biloxi Regional Airport, Gulfport businesses, recreation, championship golf, casinos and nightlife. It is owned by Gulfview LLC and managed by Lane Hospitality of Northbrook, IL.

"We applaud community leaders and citizens for working together to rebuild, recover and make Gulfport even better than it was before the impact of the storm," said Bill DeForrest, President and CEO of Lane Hospitality. "We are proud that the Courtyard by Marriott Gulfport is a significant cornerstone in the rebuilding of the beachfront area and representative of the determination, diligence and bright future of this entire community."

DeForrest added that to underscore Lane Hospitality's belief in the future of the State of Mississippi, the company has invested nearly $50 million in hotels in Gulfport and Jackson.

"Our team is proud to bring this world-class hotel brand to Gulfport and to offer guests and meeting attendees an upscale experience directly on the Gulfport Coast," said Craig Larson, Regional Vice President of Operations for Lane Hospitality. "We look forward to giving back to the community that has supported us for so long."

The five-story 100% smoke-free Courtyard by Marriott Gulfport features 148 new and spacious guestrooms, including five two-room suites. Each provides a 32" flat panel HD television and MP3 clock radio (iPod compatible); Marriott's luxury bedding package with crisp white triple sheeting, thicker mattress and abundance of pillows; new furniture with a convenient work desk area with ergonomic chair and complimentary WiFi; refrigerator and coffee maker, and two line speakerphones. The hotel also features the new Courtyard by Marriott outdoor patio concept with comfortable seating near a fire pit and the outdoor pool. Guests can participate in the Marriott Rewards(R) guest frequency program to earn rewards for repeat stays.

The hotel's upgraded and expanded meeting facilities -- some with waterfront views -- boasts more than 6,000 square feet of flexible event and catering space for myriad business and social functions, including:

• The stylish 4,048 square foot Coastal Ballroom accommodating up to 400 guests
• The Gulfview Boardroom, which overlooks the Gulf of Mexico
• Two additional meeting rooms
• The latest in audio and visual technology
• A 24-hour business center with numerous business services
• Experienced on-site event coordinators
• An innovative catering staff

Shrimper's Cafe and bar introduces a new regional restaurant concept with the best in Bay Area fare. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served, including several specialty lunch buffets. Guests can also take advantage of a new 1,000 square foot fitness center with the latest in cardiovascular machines and free weights, an outdoor Olympic-size swimming pool, and the adjacent Gulf Coast beach with numerous water and beachfront activities. Complimentary parking is provided.

For hotel reservations, visit www.marriott.com/GPTCY or call toll-free 1-800-321-2211 or the hotel directly at 228-864-4310. To book meetings or groups, contact Stefanie Beaugez, Director of Sales and Marketing, at 228-864-4310 or SBeaugez@lanehospitality.com.