Residence Inn/Courtyard by Marriott on Jekyll Island — Photo by Marriott

LNW Hospitality and New Castle Hotels & Resorts, the team that developed the successful Westin Jekyll Island and Hampton Inn & Suites Jekyll Island, broke ground on their newest project, a 209-room oceanfront Residence Inn/Courtyard by Marriott on Jekyll Island, GA. The property is scheduled to open in the spring of 2021.

The new hotel, which features 120 Residence Inn by Marriott rooms, as well as 89 Courtyard by Marriott rooms, will sit on a 5.8-acre oceanfront parcel. The two Marriott brands, combined on one property, will offer guests an exceptional experience. Amenities include the largest pool on Jekyll Island, a large hot tub, a splash pad for children, fire pits, a Bistro restaurant, an indoor/outdoor bar and restaurant, a fitness center, and 2,600 square feet of meeting space.

A barrier island off the coast of Georgia, Jekyll Island became a tourist destination for the richest families in America in the late 1800s. Over the past 15 years, more than $200 million in public and private investment has been made on the island. Today, Jekyll Island is home to eight hotels, a world-class ocean-front convention center, and numerous amenities to support tourism on the island. Money Magazine ranked Jekyll Island the top place to go for vacation in 2019. Over the last five years, the number of visitors to the island has grown by six percent per year.

"Responsible development is always at the core of our decision making, to ensure we do not overdevelop for the sake of additional lodging," said C. Jones Hooks, executive director of the Jekyll Island Authority. "It's important to understand that even with these additional 209 rooms from the new Courtyard and Residence Inn by Marriott, we will still be 100 rooms below historic 'peak hotel room' capacity numbers for the island, ensuring we continue to maintain the island's natural character. This project embodies our goal of welcoming new and different kinds of visitors, including business travelers and families, while remaining committed to conservation and stewardship of the island's delicate balance.