Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania – December 7, 2012 – Courtyard by Marriott is rolling out its innovative lobby and room design in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania. This is the first Courtyard in the area featuring the Refreshing Business lobby environment, where guests can enjoy an open and flexible space. Along with media pods, Wi-Fi and a variety of seating zones, the redefined space is ideal for everything from pop-up meetings to social gatherings.
 
Opening December 7th, the 125-room Courtyard Pittsburgh North/Cranberry Woods also offers a refreshing and stylish room design that helps guests stay connected, productive and comfortable. Thoughtfully planned, each room features plush bedding, a functional work space, spacious bathrooms, a separate seating area and complimentary in-room high-speed Internet. 16 suites also offer refrigerators and microwave ovens, ideal for extended stays.
 
 Located at 150 Cranberry Woods Drive, the hotel is being developed by Winegardner & Hammons of Cincinnati, Ohio and Eagle Realty Group on behalf of affiliates of its parent company, Western & Southern Financial Group, also of Cincinnati, Ohio. Situated in the Cranberry Woods business Park, the hotel is neighbor to MSA, Westinghouse Global Nuclear Headquarters, McKesson and Verizon. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, the Courtyard Pittsburgh North/Cranberry Woods also offers guests convenient access to PNC Park, Heinz Field and the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh.
 
Courtyard understands business travelers, and, through extensive research, the brand continues to evolve to meet guests’ changing needs. Combining innovative technology with style and comfort, the adaptable lobby space offers options so guests can make the most of their time on the road.
 
 “From day one, Courtyard has prided itself as a brand that listens to what business travelers want from a hotel,” said Janis Milham, vice president and global brand manager, Courtyard. “Guests want more control and choice with services and amenities that create a healthy balance between working and relaxing. The Courtyard lobby invites guests to get out of their rooms to work, socialize or be entertained, whether traveling alone or with colleagues.”  
 
The open, bright and contemporary Courtyard hotel lobby welcomes guests with vivid contrasting colors, including blue, green, orange and red. The traditional front desk is replaced with separate welcome pedestals to create more personal and private interactions when guests check in and allow staff to show guests the lobby features and provide assistance. Flexible seating options range from a communal table in the middle of the action, to more private media booths with high-definition televisions, to a more intimate, semi-enclosed lounge area.
 
Dining has also been completely redesigned with The Bistro – Eat. Drink. Connect.®, offering casual, flexible seating; easier access to food and higher quality, healthier menu options for breakfast; and light evening fare, including snacks, cocktails, wine and beer so guests can unwind. Coffee lovers can also enjoy freshly brewed Starbucks coffee. The MarketTM, a 24/7 shop for snacks, beverages and sundries, is always open for late-night cravings or the toothpaste guests may have forgotten to pack.
 
A key component of the Courtyard lobby is the newly enhanced GoBoard® 4.0, which presents local information, maps, weather, and headline news on a 55-inch LCD touch screen. Designed with today’s busy traveler in mind, the award-winning GoBoard® features mobile integration, enabling guests to send directions from the GoBoard® directly to their smart phones. Guests can also touch the screen for immediate access to detailed flight information for local airports, popular entertainment and local event information, as well as walking directions.
 
 Throughout the hotel, guests can connect to complimentary Wi-Fi, and there are ample electrical outlets in the lobby to power digital devices. The business library features several computer terminals, along with a printer and separate computer stations dedicated solely to printing airline boarding passes and checking flight status.  
 
Green has been Courtyard’s signature color since Marriott launched the brand 25 years ago. Now it is even greener with the introduction of a guest recycling program for the environment. Receptacles for paper, glass, plastic and metal are conveniently located by side exits.
 
The five-story hotel features an indoor swimming pool and outdoor fire pit, fitness center and guest laundry, and offers 930 square feet of meeting space to accommodate functions of up to 60 people.   
 
About Courtyard by Marriott
Courtyard by Marriott offers a refreshing environment that helps guests stay connected, productive and balanced. Intuitive services and design accommodate guests’ needs for choice and control. With more than 900 locations in 38 countries and territories, Courtyard hotels participate in the award-winning Marriott Rewards® frequent travel program that allows members to earn hotel points or airline miles for every dollar spent during each stay. For more information or reservations, contact the Courtyard Pittsburgh North/Cranberry Woods directly at 724-776-1900, call the Courtyard toll-free number at 800-321-2211, visit www.courtyard.com or become a fan at www.facebook.com/courtyard.
 
About Winegardner & Hammons, Inc.
Winegardner & Hammons, Inc. has more than 50 years as a full-service hotel management company and a reputation for progressive and successful hospitality management.  The WHI owned/managed portfolio includes resorts, all-suite, extended-stay, select service, full service and conference center hotels in many diverse markets across the United States.  WHI currently manages 30 hotels in the United States and is affiliated with most major hotel brands.  For more information on WHI, please visit our web site at www.whihotels.com.