When opened in 2006, the 152-room Courtyard by Marriott Zurich North will be part of a prime mixed-use development project in Oerlikon, a close-in suburb of Zurich. The former Accu industrial complex at Max Bill Platz is owned by Credit Suisse Anlagestiftung. Once a vast industrial area, the complex will be the largest suburban redevelopment project in the northern part of Zurich.  The Zurich city center and international airport are a 10-15 minute drive away. By public transport, the hotel will be within a 5-10 minute trip from Zurich city center and the airport.

�We are delighted by the continued growth of our Courtyard by Marriott brand in Europe and to be partnering with the SV (Switzerland) Ltd. on the introduction of this widely-acclaimed hotel brand in Switzerland,� said Arne Sorenson, Marriott�s chief financial officer and president for Continental Europe. 

�We are proud to open as a franchisee of the first Courtyard by Marriott in Switzerland and are convinced that this step will considerably strengthen our Hotel division. For SV Group, Marriott is a perfect match as our philosophy and values are very similar and we place the same emphasis on quality,� said Philippe Echenard, chief executive office of SV Switzerland.�

Courtyard by Marriott hotels are aimed at business and leisure travelers who seek moderately priced accommodations offering consistent quality. 

For dining and recreation, the Courtyard by Marriott Zurich North will have a restaurant serving three meals daily, a bar, a �grab&go� kiosk, a business corner and a fitness center. For social events and meetings, the hotel will have 3,330-square feet of space consisting of three individual meeting rooms and three main conference rooms.

Courtyard is Marriott International�s largest brand in terms of numbers of units and, at more than 600 properties globally, ranks among the largest hotel chains in the world.

Additional Courtyard hotels are expected to open later this year in Kauai, Hawaii, USA; Dubai, UAE; Port of Spain, Trinidad; Moscow, Russia, and Brussels, Belgium. 

In 2005, Courtyard hotels will open in Toluca, Mexico; Prague, Czech Republic; and Berlin Mitte, Germany. In addition to the Courtyard Zurich North, Courtyard hotels will open in 2006 in Nanchang, China; Santiago, Dominican Republic; Manakau City, New Zealand; Torreon and Monterrey, Mexico; and Munich City Centre, Germany. In 2007, a Courtyard hotel will open in Doha, Qatar.

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE:MAR) is a leading worldwide hospitality company with nearly 2,800 lodging properties in the United States and 69 other countries and territories.