WASHINGTON, D.C., ÁX June 11, 2003 ?{ Marriott International (NYSE:MAR) will introduce its moderately-priced Courtyard by Marriott hotel brand in central Prague in 2005 under a long-term management agreement with Orco Property Group.

The 161-room Prague Courtyard by Marriott will be part of the mixed-use Luxembourg Plaza project in Prague Vinohrady, a thriving commercial and residential center that is served by excellent road and public transport links to the city center. When opened in 2005, it will be the fifth Marriott International hotel to be located in the city.

Luxembourg Plaza is a spectacular stone and glass, eight-story, rectangular building that surrounds a spacious green courtyard, partly covered by an atrium. The Prague Courtyard by Marriott will occupy the northern side of the 6,000-square meter plot with its entrance onto Lucemburska street. Offices and retail shops will occupy the remaining three sides of the building. Architect of Luxembourg Plaza is Architectoniqua, an award-winning, Miami-based group with strong global experience in major office, shopping center and hotel programs. This is their first project in central Europe.

“We are delighted with the expansion of our lodging portfolio in Prague,” said Arne Sorenson, chief financial officer and president of Continental European Lodging for Marriott International. “It is a testament to the vitality and magnetism of Prague that we are able to locate five of our lodging brands in the city.”
Karl Kilburg, Marriott`s senior vice president for Continental Europe, said: “We are extremely pleased to be working with the Orco Property Group. They have an excellent reputation and we are confident that this project will add a new dimension to the Prague tourism infrastructure.”
Said Silvano Pedretti, co-President of Orco Property Group, of the contract with Marriott, “Marriott is, of course, a very successful and highly reputable partner. Luxembourg Plaza is a great advance for the Prague real estate market in terms of its quality and size in a central commercial location. We are pleased that we are able to meet Marriott`s high standards as well as the requirements of a range of other future international tenants.”
Courtyard by Marriott hotels are aimed at business and leisure travelers who require consistent, high quality accommodations and services at moderate, affordable prices.
For dining, the Prague Courtyard by Marriott hotel will offer a casual restaurant and bar serving three meals daily. Recreational amenities will include a health club including a fitness room and sauna/steam bath. Other amenities will offer a lobby business library with internet access, 18-hour room service, mini-bar, parking for 50 automobiles and a Á¤grab and goÁ¬ service offering newspapers, sundries at the front desk.
For conference and social occasions, the hotel will have 3,390 square-feet of space including one 1,829 square-foot room that will be divisible into two sections; one 646 square-foot room and one 915 square-foot room.

Marriott first introduced Courtyard in 1983 in the United States and, over the years, the brand has been the leading choice in its category. Services and amenities offered by Courtyard hotels outside the U.S. and Canada vary from country to country, but are appropriate to the needs of travelers in the host country. All properties feature superior quality guestrooms that are usually larger than rooms offered by other hotels in its segment.

In-room business amenities include data port, a large work desk and good lighting. Public space reflects CourtyardÁ?s casual ambience that is designed to make guests feel comfortable and welcomed. Other features include on-site food and beverage outlets and exercise room with sauna or whirlpool, sundry shop, car parking and business services.
Currently, there are more than 600 Courtyard hotels, ranking it among the largest hotel brands in the world in terms of units. Outside the U.S. and Canada, Courtyard hotels are expected to open over the next two years in the Dominican Republic; the Republic of Georgia; Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, and Belgium.
The Marriott International lodging portfolio in Prague now includes the 293-room Prague Marriott, 314-room Renaissance Prague, the 53-unit Marriott Executive Apartments for extended stay travelers and the 100-room Ramada Grand Hotel.

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE:MAR) is a leading worldwide hospitality company with nearly 2,600 lodging properties in the United States and 66 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Ramada International brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club International, Horizons, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Marriott Grand Residence Club brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., has approximately 129,000 employees, and was ranked as the lodging industry`s most admired company and one of the best places to work for by FORTUNE®. For more information or reservations, please visit the web site at www.marriott.com.
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