Renaissance Sydney To Become Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel - Commonwealth Property Hotel Fund Annouces $35 Million Refurbishment Program
SYDNEY - The 579-room Renaissance Sydney Hotel will be renamed the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel following a $35 million refurbishment program that is currently underway. The hotel is owned by The Commonwealth Property Hotel Fund (CPHF), a $253 million wholesale fund managed by Colonial First State Property Group, and has been managed by Marriott International, Inc.
"We are excited about becoming a Marriott hotel," said Mr. Brian Czechowski, general manager, Sydney Harbour Marriott. "The Marriott brand is recognized globally for its consistency, dependability and genuine caring for its guests. The arrival of a second Sydney property to carry this brand strengthens our position in Australia's gateway city."
Marriott-branded hotels are currently represented in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Surfers Paradise. Under the Marriott portfolio of brands, Courtyard by Marriott is represented in Parramatta, New South Wales, and Surfers Paradise, Queensland, with the Ramada brand due to open its first Australian property in Melbourne, Victoria, November 2002.
The rebrand project involves full refurbishment of guest rooms and the reinvigoration of the food and beverage facilities, including the addition of a new restaurant and lobby bar and the expansion of the conference facilities. Public areas, including the health club, lobby and executive lounge, will also receive extensive refurbishment. The property will operate throughout all stages of the refurbishment, with minimum disruption to daily operations.
The refurbishment program began in October 2002 and is scheduled be completed by June 2003. The hotel will be rebranded the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel in the first quarter of 2003. The property is in a prime location at Circular Quay, and many rooms have views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
As a member of Marriott's lodging portfolio, the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel will participate in the company's award-winning Marriott Rewards frequent guest program, the world's largest hotel guest loyalty program with more than 17 million members. Under this program, travelers can earn points for every dollar they spend in the hotel. These points can be exchanged for a range of travel benefits.
"We are confident that our guests and neighbors will welcome the addition of the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel to Sydney's tourism infrastructure," said Mr Czechowski.
"On completion of the refurbishment, this harbor-front property will become Marriott's flagship hotel in Sydney, " said Mr Czechowski.
Marriott International's Australian-based Global Sales office and the Marriott Global Rewards group for Australia will be relocated to the hotel.
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. MAR, a leading worldwide hospitality company celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2002, has nearly 2,600 operating units in the United States and 65 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Ramada International brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club International, Horizons, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Marriott Grand Residence Club brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. Other Marriott businesses include senior living communities and services, and wholesale food distribution. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has approximately 145,000 employees. In fiscal year 2001, Marriott International reported systemwide sales of $20 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com.
June Farrell
(301) 380-7796
Marriott
