Courtyard by Marriott Continues Eastern European Expansion with New Hotel in Russia

As Marriott International (NYSE:MAR) continues its expansion throughout Europe, the company has announced plans to open its first hotel in Ulyanovsk, Russia, the 135-room Courtyard by Marriott Ulyanovsk. The official signing ceremony took place in the presence of the Governor of the Ulyanovsk region, Mr. Sergey Morozov. The hotel, which will be built to the new Courtyard by Marriott brand European prototype, will operate under a management agreement with LLC New City and is expected to open in 2015. "The signing of the Courtyard Ulyanovsk is an exciting development as we continue to grow our footprint in Russia and expand into new areas," said Amy McPherson, president and managing director for Marriott International in Europe. "We continue to see great opportunity for expansion throughout Eastern Europe, particularly with our Courtyard by Marriott brand, which is specifically designed to address the needs of business travellers."

Ulyanovsk is famous as the birthplace of Vladimir Lenin and today serves as a hub of industry and commerce with aerospace, automobile and mechanical engineering being the mainstay industries. The city is located approximately 890 kilometres south-east of Moscow on the banks of the Volga River, and very well connected by two airports just a short distance from the hotel.

The Courtyard Ulyanovsk will be located in the commercial centre of the city and just a short drive from its historic heart. Its prime location on the bank of the Sviyaga River offers a green and attractive setting.

Boasting the contemporary interior design and enhanced functionality of the new Courtyard by Marriott prototype designed to appeal to the European traveller, the hotel's 135 guestrooms will feature clean lines and natural light. Designed to promote productivity, the rooms will be equipped with ample work space, task lighting and multiple, accessible outlets making plugging in easy.

The hotel's stylish and contemporary lobby will support the business traveller's needs for dining, meeting and socialising with flexible seating, an interactive GoBoard™ screen featuring the latest news, weather and local information and a 24-hour market. The hotel will also feature an all-day bistro restaurant with menu items adapted to local tastes and demand. Additional hotel facilities include a large 2,130 square feet meeting room divisible by four, a business lounge and a fitness room.

The first Courtyard by Marriott hotel built to the new European prototype is the Courtyard Aberdeen Airport, Scotland, opening this summer.