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The Reinvented Courtyard at Baltimore Washington International Airport
Sports the Brand's Latest Extreme Lobby Makeover
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BETHESDA, Md., Aug 21, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Getting the CEO to gush about your hotel is every hotel manager's dream. Today, J.W. Marriott, Jr., chairman and CEO, Marriott International, Inc. visited the newly reinvented Courtyard at Baltimore Washington International Airport to see the brand's stylish and modern new lobby.
 


Bill Marriott and Wyatt Cardwell, General Manager,Courtyard at Baltimore Washington International Airport, use the Courtyard GoBoard(TM) in the lobby

The Courtyard GoBoard(TM) is a 52-inch LCD touch screen packed with local information, maps, weather, and news, business and sports headlines

"It's a real transformation from a standard lobby, front desk and a few restaurant seats into a happening place," said Bill Marriott. "It's convenient and well-designed -- the colors are warm, friendly and inviting. I think it's a homerun." Visit Bill Marriott's blog -- Marriott on the Move ( http://www.blogs.marriott.com) -- to see what else he has to say about the BWI Courtyard and to view pictures of his tour.

Courtyard by Marriott -- the first lodging brand exclusively designed for business travel by business travelers, has completely redefined the hotel lobby experience. This Marriott "power brand" has designed the Courtyard lobby so it invites guests to get out of their rooms to work, socialize or for entertainment, whether traveling alone or with colleagues.

"From day one, Courtyard has prided itself as a brand that listens to what business travelers want from a hotel," said Brian King, vice president, Global Brand Manager, Courtyard by Marriott. "Guests want more control and choice with services and amenities that create a healthy balance between working and relaxing."

Courtyard by Marriott and its hotel owners and franchisees in the U.S. and Canada expect to introduce the new lobby concepts at approximately 30 more hotels this year and nearly 200 properties in 2009. Elements of the new lobby have also been implemented or will be implemented in Courtyard hotels in other countries.

The open, bright and contemporary new Courtyard hotel lobby welcomes guests with vivid contrasting colors, including blue, green, orange and red. The traditional front desk is replaced with separate welcome podiums. Flexible seating options range from a communal table in the middle of the action, to more private media booths with a high-definition televisions, to a more intimate, semi-enclosed lounge area.

A signature element of the new lobby is the exclusive Courtyard GoBoard(TM), a 52-inch LCD touch screen packed with local information, maps, weather, and news, business and sports headlines. Guests can navigate using the touch screen to find restaurants, local attractions and directions.

Guests can connect to free WiFi and there are ample electrical outlets throughout the lobby to power digital devices. The enlarged business library features several complimentary computer terminals along with a free printer and separate computer stations dedicated to printing airline boarding passes and checking flight status.

Dining has been completely redesigned with casual, flexible seating; easier access to food and higher quality, healthier menu options for breakfast; and light evening fare, including snacks, wine and beer so guests can unwind. The Market(TM), a 24/7 shop for snacks, beverages and sundries, is always open for late-night cravings or the toothpaste you forgot to pack.

Guests looking to take their minds off work can grab a snack, their favorite beverage and take a seat in front of the large high-definition television located in the lounge to watch a variety of programming, including top news, business, sports and entertainment channels.
Guests walking into the lobby will immediately notice individual welcome podiums designed to create more personal interactions between staff and guests when checking in. Courtyard staff will be able to move about to show guests the lobby features and provide assistance.
Check the list on gocourtyard.com to see where new lobbies have been introduced and where they will be in the future.

Courtyard by Marriott is the company's largest brand with nearly 800 hotels worldwide. For more information or reservations, call the Courtyard toll-free number at 800-321-2211 or visit the web site at www.courtyard.com.

Our statements on expected investment spending by owners and franchisees and the anticipated renovation completion and opening dates for hotels are "forward looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities laws, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those described in Marriott International, Inc.'s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which could cause actual investment spending or renovation or opening dates to be different than expected.

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Contact:

Marriott International, Inc.
www.marriott.com
 

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Also See: Courtyard by Marriott and its Hotel Owners Begin Phase-in of the Redesigned Courtyard Hotel Lobby; The Traditional Front Desk Replaced with Separate Welcome Podiums / April 2008
Marriott �Reinvents� Courtyard; Modifications Include a Walk-around Front Desk, a Business Library andPantry-style 24-hour Food and Beverage Area / July 2000
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