Marriott International to Introduce its Courtyard Brand to Phuket, Thailand

Two Existing Hotels in Patong and Surin Beach will Convert in 2008, Totaling 655 Rooms.

Two Courtyard by Marriott hotels will be part of the Phuket, Thailand, tourism infrastructure beginning in 2008 as a result of management agreements reached by Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) with Destination Properties Company, Limited. Lehman Brothers provided the financing on the acquisition and planned renovations.

Both hotels will be conversions of existing properties and will undergo extensive renovations prior to being re-branded. The existing hotels are the 399-room Grand Tropicana Hotel Phuket which will convert to the Courtyard by Marriott Phuket at Patong Beach; and the 256-room Surin Beach Resort which will be re-branded as the Courtyard by Marriott Phuket at Surin Beach.

“We are excited to be able to offer visitors to Phuket a choice in accommodations in this value-conscious segment of the travel market,” said Ed Fuller, president & managing director of international lodging for Marriott International, noting that for the past six years, Marriott has operated the award-winning, luxurious JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa on the island.

“Our Courtyard by Marriott brand has earned a strong reputation worldwide for providing a welcoming environment that affords guests with ‘peace of mind,’ connection and relaxation, and we are confident that these two Courtyard hotels will be eagerly embraced by visitors to Phuket. Not only will they offer great value, but they will provide vacationers with a choice of travel experiences—a more robust and lively experience on Patong Beach or a more laid-back holiday at Surin Beach.”

Gary Murray, chief executive officer of Destination Properties, said, “We are excited about our selection of Marriott to manage these two properties as Courtyard by Marriott hotels. Marriott has a very strong presence in Thailand and we are confident that they will be a great management partner.”

Renovations at both properties will include all guestrooms, restaurants, lobby and public areas.

Courtyard by Marriott Phuket at Patong Beach

The Courtyard by Marriott Phuket at Patong Beach will be located in the heart of Patong on the southwestern part of Phuket Island. It will be within a short walk of the famous Patong Beach and the many restaurants, bars and shops that line the beach as well as a recently opened shopping mall offering more than 200 shops.

Patong Beach is the main tourist district of Phuket. The area is well known for its nightlife, entertainment offerings and retail shops. Additionally, the three-kilometer-long Patong Beach offers many recreational activities including motorized water sports.

Upon completion of extensive renovations, the Courtyard by Marriott Phuket at Patong Beach will have a casual, three-meal restaurant; and a lobby lounge and bar. Recreational amenities will include two swimming pools, an exercise room and a kids’club. Additionally, the hotel will offer a gift shop, business center, concierge desk and a “grab & go” counter.

For small conferences and social events, the hotel will have 180 square meters of meeting space comprised of three 60-square-meter meeting rooms.

Courtyard by Marriott Phuket at Surin Beach
The Courtyard by Marriott Phuket at Surin Beach will be located near Surin Beach, at the mid-point of the western coast of Phuket Island. It will be accessible to the beach and to the restaurants and bars located along the beach through a public park that sits between the beach and the hotel.

The serene Surin Beach is a largely undeveloped stretch of pristine, sandy beachfront with casuarinas trees and is well known for its seafood stalls and restaurants. Its seawaters are well regarded for snorkeling, kayaking, boogie boarding and surfing.

When renovations are completed, the Courtyard by Marriott Phuket at Surin Beach will have a casual, three-meal restaurant and a poolside bar. Recreational amenities will include a swimming pool and a kids’ pool, an exercise room, a games room and a kids’ club. Other amenities will include a “grab & go” counter, business center and a gift shop.

For meetings and social events, the hotel will offer 200 square meters of conference space consisting of three meeting rooms in varying configurations.

The Marriott International portfolio in Thailand is currently represented by the JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa; the JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok; The Mayfair Marriott Executive Apartments; the Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa; the Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa; the Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa; and the Pattaya Marriott Resort & Spa.

Under construction are the following three hotels in Thailand:
• 316-room Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok (2007)
• 195-unit Sathorn Heights Marriott Executive Apartments Bangkok (2008)
• 300-unit Sukhumvit Parkview Marriott Executive Apartments (2008)