Marriott International To Add Fourth Hotel In Jordan In Aqaba
264-room JW Marriott Hotel Aqaba to open in 2013; Will be first luxury JW Marriott-branded property in Jordan
Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) will open its first luxury JW Marriott hotel and fourth branded hotel in Jordan in 2013 in Aqaba under a recently-concluded agreement with Beaches for Hotels & Spas P.S.C., an affiliate of long-time Jordanian partner, Arab International Hotels Co., led by Chairman of the Board Nadim Muasher.
At the same time, Marriott International, Arab International Hotels Co. and Mr. Muasher mutually agreed to certain territorial exclusivity arrangements providing for the development of future hotels in Jordan in addition to the currently operating properties: the 294-room Amman Marriott, the 251-room Jordan Valley Marriott Resort & Spa and the 100-room Petra Marriott.
The 264-room JW Marriott Hotel Aqaba will be ideally situated on the northern beach of the Gulf of Aqaba immediately adjacent to the Aqaba Marina, creating a unique destination that connects the city and the sea. The site is located in the center of Aqaba and fronts onto a public beach on the Gulf and provides easy access to prized tourism destinations like Petra and Wadi Rum and all offshore reefs and water sports for which the Red Sea is famous. Aqaba International Airport is 10 minutes away.
‘Our relationship with Arab International Hotels Co. and Nadim Muasher runs deep and long,” said Ed Fuller, president & managing director of international lodging for Marriott International. “It’s a relationship that has gained momentum in recent years and continues to grow in a mutually beneficial way. We’re thrilled to be working with them on this important addition to the tourism infrastructure of Jordan and are confident that the hotel will be a catalyst for the future growth of the tourism industry in the country.”
“The Amman Marriott started operations some 30 years ago and was one of the first Marriott hotels to open outside the US,” said Mr. Muasher. “We are happy that now we will be adding the JW Marriott in Aqaba to our properties in Amman, the Dead Sea and Petra. Our relationship with Marriott is pivotal to our expansion schemes and we look forward to many years of a successful partnership with Marriott International.”
The stylish, contemporary JW Marriott Hotel Aqaba will complement its exterior environs with public areas that offer space, light and excitement. It will feature a wide range of food & beverage offerings, including an informal, vibrant lobby lounge; a pool bar with a covered terrace; an all-day casual restaurant; a specialty steak outlet; a restaurant connected to the marina and a Champions sports bar.
Accommodations will be spacious and will offer the latest in modern guest services and amenities including wi-fi, flat screen television, internet access and other electronic capabilities.
For recreation, the hotel will have an exceptional state-of-the-art health and leisure club that will incorporate a spa and a gymnasium featuring a yoga room, Turkish bath, indoor and outdoor swimming pool and a children’s play center.
Guests will appreciate its executive lounge, book shop and business center. Other amenities include a spa shop, a gift shop and 12 additional retail outlets.
JW Marriott is part of Marriott International’s luxury portfolio and consists of beautiful properties in gateway cities and distinctive resort locations around the world. These elegant hotels cater to today’s sophisticated, self-assured travelers, offering guests the luxury they seek in a warmly authentic relaxed atmosphere lacking in pretense. JW Marriott properties artfully provide highly crafted anticipatory experiences that reflect their locale so that their guests have the time to focus on what is most important to them. There currently are 45 JW Marriott hotels in 19 countries. By 2013, the portfolio is expected to encompass 74 hotels in 29 countries.
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE:MAR) is a leading lodging company with more than 3,400 lodging properties in 68 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 Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club, The Ritz-Carlton Residences and Grand Residences by Marriott brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, USA and had approximately 137,000 employees at 2009 year-end. It is recognized by FORTUNE® as one of the best companies to work for, and by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as Partner of the Year since 2004. In fiscal year 2009, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of nearly $11 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com. For an interactive online version of Marriott's 2008 Annual Report, which includes a short video message from Chairman and CEO J.W. Marriott, Jr., visit .
