Marriott International Announces First Two Hotels in Iraq
Marriott International Announces First Two Hotels in Iraq
In ceremonies at the newly inaugurated U.S. Consulate here, Marriott International signed agreements with Empire Iraq to manage a 200-room, upscale Marriott Hotels & Resorts-branded hotel and a 75-unit deluxe Marriott Executive Apartments property. Both are planned to open simultaneously in 2014. The addition of these two hotels, Marriott’s first in Iraq, extends the company’s hotel portfolio to 74 countries around the world.
The hotels will be part of a large mixed-use project called “Empire World,” now under construction that includes residential towers, private villas, office towers and retail and leisure space. Located in Kurdistan in the northern part of Iraq, Erbil is the gateway to the region and is served non-stop from Europe and the Middle East by a number of international air carriers including Lufthansa, Etihad, Turkish, Royal Jordanian and Fly Dubai.
The 200-room Erbil Marriott will provide a range of amenities, connectivity and services to help business travelers achieve their objectives. Its stylish interior will blend the latest in residential design, color and real comfort. Recreational amenities will include an extensive fitness facility, an on-site spa and an outdoor swimming pool.
Designed for extended stay travelers, the 75-unit Marriott Executive Apartments Erbil will offer the convenience of a five-star, full-service hotel with the space, ambience and privacy of residential living. It will be located in a separate building adjacent to the hotel and, although its residents will be able to avail themselves of all the services and amenities offered by the Erbil Marriott, they will have their own leisure facilities, lobby and a residents’ lounge. The property will offer a mix of studios, and one- and two-bedroom units -each with a fully equipped kitchen, contemporary furnishings, state of the art connectivity, flat screen television, a washer-dryer, maid service, on-site storage and other services.
The Erbil Marriott and the Marriott Executive Apartments Erbil will be Marriott International’s first two properties in Iraq. The company is currently represented in the Middle East & Africa by more than 30 operating hotels and 40 additional properties now under construction or development that are scheduled to open in the region through 2016.
Marriott Hotels & Resorts is Marriott’s signature and most widely distributed brand, with more than 500 hotels and resorts in 54 countries. Marriott continues to inspire performance and a balanced life on the road for discerning and high-achieving business and leisure travelers, offering warm, professional service; sophisticated yet functional guest room design; lobby spaces that facilitate working, dining and socializing; restaurants and bars serving international cuisine prepared simply and from the freshest ingredients; meeting and event spaces and services that are gold standard; and expansive, 24-hour fitness facilities. All Marriott 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.
