London - November 9, 2011 – Marriott International (NYSE:MAR) has opened its first hotel in Siberia, the 208-room Courtyard by Marriott Irkutsk City Center. Centrally located within walking distance of the Kirov Square, Angara River and the historic Drama Theatre, the hotel is perfectly situated to explore the sights of Eastern Siberia. Irkutsk, located along the Trans-Siberian Railway, is also 70km in distance from the UNESCO world heritage site of Lake Baikal – the world’s largest fresh water lake.

“We are excited to enter new destinations like Siberia and see great potential for further expansion of our Courtyard by Marriott brand here in Eastern Europe,” said Amy McPherson, president and managing director for Marriott International in Europe.  “This is also the first branded hotel in Irkutsk, an important energy hub of Europe.”

Designed for to help business travelers maintain balance on the road, the spacious guest rooms are stylish and comfortable offer large well-lit work desks, ergonomic chairs and coffee makers. Health conscious guests can also take advantage of the on-site fitness centre.

The “Grand Courtyard Ballroom” is one of the largest and most modern event venues in Irkutsk and can host events and celebrations for up to 300 persons. For meetings and events, the Courtyard Irkutsk offers five meetings rooms with a total of 395 square metres of meeting space.

Guests can enjoy all-day dining at the Mesto Vstrechi restaurant, with a range of European and Siberian inspired dishes.  The Malachite offers private dining for up to 28 people – an ideal setting for intimate events.  Cedar Bar offers a relaxed atmosphere in which to enjoy drinks and snacks throughout the day and the hotel’s 24/7 market is offers a range of drinks, sandwiches and snacks around the clock.  Complimentary high speed internet is available in public areas such as the hotel lobby, restaurant and bar.

The Courtyard by Marriott brand features hotels with a refreshing environment that helps guests stay connected, productive and balanced. Intuitive services and design accommodate guests’ desire for choice and control and allow them to use the public space and guest rooms to meet all of their needs while on the road. With more than 910 locations in 30 countries, Courtyard is Marriott’s largest brand; 200 additional Courtyard by Marriott hotels will open around the world over the next three years.

The Courtyard by Marriott Irkutsk City Center, along with more than 3,500 Marriott-affiliated hotels worldwide, participate in Marriott Rewards, the guest reward program that allows its more than 33 million members to earn points or airline miles for each dollar spent during each stay.
For more information visit www.courtyard.com and www.courtyardirkutsk.com

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