The Harbour Hotel & Residence Joins Marriott International Portfolio

Second Strategic Agreement Reached With Emirates This Year.

Bethesda, MD .- The 261-unit, 52-story Harbour Hotel & Residence at the entrance of Dubai Marina will join the Marriott International lodging portfolio on September 15, 2009 under a recently concluded agreement with Emirates airline and Group, which retains ownership of the property. Following some modifications primarily to its public space and reconfiguration of some rooms bringing the new room count to 232 rooms, the property will be rebranded the Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites later this year and will be the first upscale Marriott-branded hotel in the city.

The agreement represents the second contract Marriott has reached with Emirates this year. Earlier, the company signed an agreement with Emirates to operate the under-construction 1,614-room JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai.

“We are very excited by the expansion of our long-standing relationship with Emirates airline and Group,” said Ed Fuller, President & Managing Director of International Lodging for Marriott International, “and by the continued growth of our portfolio in Dubai. Despite the current challenging economy, our hotels in Dubai continue to perform well and we are confident that this latest addition to our portfolio will be attractive to business and leisure travelers alike.”

Tim Clark, president Emirates Airline, said “Since the opening of The Harbour, we have received a good response from our customers, enjoyed an average occupancy of 76 per cent for the year and have a firm financial base. Marriott, as a leading international hotel management group operating several successful brands, has the track-record and the global infrastructure to build on our investment in The Harbour and take it to further heights. The partnership will now enable Emirates Hotels & Resorts to focus on its core business of conservation-based resorts with Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and with Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa in Australia, scheduled for ‘soft opening’ in October.”

The Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites offers a combination of studio rooms, one-, two- and three-bedroom suites and four-bedroom penthouses. Each suite is tastefully appointed and features high-speed internet access; flat-screen, high definition television; in-room mini-bar and safe; and plush bed and bath amenities and linens.

Dining and entertainment options comprise a lobby lounge and three restaurants including a casual, all-day outlet with seasonal outdoor seating, a specialty restaurant that will have seasonal outdoor dining and lounge seating and a larger specialty restaurant offering “action station” seating.

Recreational amenities feature an outdoor swimming pool, a spa and a fitness center. A 646 square foot board room is available for small meetings.

The Marriott International portfolio in Dubai currently consists of six properties representing its luxury JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton; upscale Renaissance, upper-moderately-priced; luxury Marriott Executive Apartments brand for extended-stay travelers and Courtyard by Marriott in the economy tier. In addition, 11 more Marriott International-flagged hotels are under development throughout the city.