Today, in China, we celebrated a very special milestone - the opening of the 800th Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Shanghai. It was a wonderful event and featured a dragon dance and was attended by VIPs from all over the country. Back here in the United States, the associates at our headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland, are joining in on the festivities, too, and will be participating in their own lion dance.
We chose to celebrate this milestone in Shanghai to highlight the brand's global growth. This is our seventh Courtyard in China and we plan to open another one there later this year.
The brand is expanding in many other parts of the world as well, and we currently have Courtyard hotels in almost thirty countries around the world. In 2009 alone, we will be opening five Courtyard hotels in India, and by the end of 2011 we will have eight new Courtyards throughout the Middle East.
This remarkable growth began just 26 years ago when we opened the first Courtyard hotel in Atlanta. It's still in our system but it sure looks a lot different now. The key for Courtyard's success has been understanding and responding to the evolving needs of business travelers around the world.
If you'd like to check out the new look of Courtyard, log on to gocourtyard.com.
I'm Bill Marriott and thanks for helping me keep Marriott on the move.
Courtyard by Marriott Opens its 800th Hotel
Recently i had the chance of staying at the Courtyard Bangkok, and believe me you that was a really nice hotel, so if that is anything to go by i and my family are really looking forward to visit the Courtyard In shanghai
Posted by: sanjiv bhambri | 02/16/2009 at 07:05 PM
Congratulations Mr. Marriott for your new opening in China, and of course for your excellent locations and service around the world. Although I knew about your hotels, my experience with Couryard is new, I have stayed with you just twice. The first time was some years ago in Orlando, and recently I returned to one of the Courtyards in Texas and I enjoyed it very much, so I want tell you that since I have been recommending my friends and family to stay with you because of your excellent service. Please do not change and thank you for making our vacations very grateful. Bye.
Posted by: Felicitas Ballón | 02/13/2009 at 02:40 PM
I have experienced excellent Marriott service in China at your full service properties including JW Marriott in Shanghai. I expect to be in Shanghai in March. As per my habit I make point to meet the the General Manager and provide my feedback. I am going to look into the Court Yard to see how well it competes with full service Marriotts. Last year I completed 999 revenue nights with you. I have been a platinum for at least a dozen consequtive years. Your loyalty program is the best in the hotel industry and is a two way street. Many thanks,
Syed T. Naqvi
Posted by: Syed T. Naqvi | 02/11/2009 at 03:18 AM
When Marriott opened its 300th Fairfield Inn, you sent me a wrapped chocolate to commemorate the opening. I've still got it; along with a dessert from one of the presidential inaugurals, embossed with the Presidential Seal. CONGRATS to Marriott on 800 Courtyards; My PA tells me I've got 2,000 nights with you in a wide range of accounts dating back to the 1980's. My current Marriott account lists 1,000 nights with you.
Dr. David Frisbie
Posted by: Dr. David Frisbie | 02/10/2009 at 09:34 AM
Very nice, impressive new property. Congratulation for that. Still, there is something I'm concerned about when I see these beautiful pictures. The gap between this unit and the average one in the USA is cavernous. This hotel looks more or less like a full service Marriott. It looks even better that some old, unrefreshed Marriott in the State. As far as I'm concerned, my perception is that Courtyard targets are different between US and the rest of the world. And that's somewhat misleading.
One more time, thanks for this great blog, Mister Marriott!
Regards,
Raphaël
Posted by: Raphael | 02/10/2009 at 04:44 AM