Marriott to Expand Presence in Scandinavia

Marriott is to expand its presence in Scandinavia over the next six years under a recently concluded multiple franchise agreement with the Scandinavian Hospitality Group AG (SHG).

The agreement is expected to result in the opening of 15 hotels under the Marriott, Renaissance, Courtyard and Marriott Executive Apartments brands in Sweden, Norway and Finland through 2013. Marriott’s first hotel in Scandinavia is the Copenhagen Marriott which opened in 2001.

The first two properties to open under the agreement are scheduled for 2009. They are the:
• 272-room Courtyard by Marriott Stockholm-Kungsholmen in Sweden, and the
• 155-room Courtyard by Marriott Kristiansund in Norway

Courtyard is Marriott’s largest brand with nearly 800 properties globally. Guest rooms at both Courtyard hotels will feature marble bathrooms, oversized, glass-top work desks, ergonomic chair, two telephone lines, a data-port, high-speed internet access, in-room mini-fridge and safe and Marriott’s newly introduced finer bed and bath linens.

The Courtyard by Marriott Stockholm-Kungsholmen will be part of a mixed-use project that includes about 350 residential apartments in the western suburbs of Stockholm. More than 300 companies are located in Kungsholmen, including the international headquarters of corporations such as Electrolux, Pharmacia and Ericsson.

The hotel will be within a short walk from the major leisure attractions of Stockholm and the Kungsholmen district itself is widely-known for its many cafes, restaurants and bars. Arlanda International Airport and Bromma Airport (domestic) are easily accessible from the hotel and two subway lines serve the area, connecting it to Stockholm’s central business district within a five-minute train ride.

For dining and entertainment, the hotel will have an all-day, casual restaurant, a lobby lounge and bar and a sports bar. Recreational amenities will focus on a fitness center. Business amenities will include an internet corner in the lobby. In addition, there will be a lobby Grab & Go kiosk for travelers in a hurry.

For social events and conferences, the Courtyard by Marriott Stockholm-Kungshomen will offer 9,598 square feet of function space including a 7,069-square foot ballroom that will be divisible into three sections and a 2,529 square feet of additional space in varying configurations.

The Courtyard by Marriott Kristiansund International Airport will be connected to the airport via a covered walkway. Kristiansund’s town center is approximately seven kilometers away.

Located about 570 kilometers northwest of Oslo, Kristiansund is an important fishing port that in recent years has become a major oil and gas center. Shell, Statoil and Norsk Hydro all have office in the city. The United Kingdom, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal all have consulates in Kristiansund.

For dining and entertainment, the Courtyard by Marriott Kristiansund International Airport will have a casual, all-day restaurant and a lobby lounge/bar. Outdoor dining will be available during seasonable weather.

Recreational amenities will include a fitness center. The hotel will also have an internet corner and a Grab & Go kiosk.

For social events and conferences, the hotel will have 9,405 square feet of function space. The 6,994-square foot ballroom will be divisible into three sections. Four additional meeting rooms totaling 2,411 square feet of space will also be available in varying configurations.

Other brands that will be introduced by SHG in Scandinavia over the next six years include Marriott and Renaissance in the upscale, deluxe category and the deluxe Marriott Executive Apartments for extended stay travelers.

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