Marriott has confirmed plans to open the 107-room Residence Inn Edinburgh under a management agreement with Gladedale Ventures.

The hotel is expected to open in October 2011 and will be the first Residence Inn by Marriott in the United Kingdom and only the second in Europe.

With more than 600 properties in the United States, Canada and Costa Rica, Residence Inn by Marriott is a leader in the extended stay lodging segment.

Designed for long stays, the brand offers spacious suites with separate living and sleeping areas.

Fully functional kitchens, grocery delivery, 24-hour markets and complimentary hot breakfast help guests maintain a healthy balance while on the road.

Wi-fi allows guests to stay connected to home and office while health and fitness options and inviting lobby spaces provide comfortable places to work and relax.

“We are excited to introduce our first Residence Inn by Marriott in the United Kingdom in the beautiful city of Edinburgh,” said Amy McPherson, president and managing director of Marriott International in Europe.

“Residence Inn is Marriott’s third largest global lodging brand and we see great potential for further expansion of the brand throughout Europe.”

The first Residence Inn by Marriott in Europe, the Residence Inn Munich Orleanstrasse is slated to open this autumn.

Marriott was last year recognised by the World Travel Awards as South America’s Leading Hotel Brand among a host of other titles.

Residence Inn

The European developments come as Residence Inn undergoes a change of direction in the United States.

Following a meeting of top management earlier this week a variety of new looks are to be offered new Residence Inn properties.

“Years ago customers said, ‘You need to be consistent from hotel to hotel because we need to know that we trust you,’” said Katie Tyson, vice president of brand management for Residence Inn in an interview with Travel Weekly.

“Now they are saying, ‘Look, we trust you, but we need some variety or the hotel looks the same from one hotel to the next, and that doesn’t contribute to my enjoyment.’”

The new look for Residence Inn will be adopted by more than 300 hotels over the next five years, Tyson said.

It is not a mandate for hotels, but rather a set of options for properties that are already scheduled for their required six-year renovations.

The package gives owners more than 40 options as they update their rooms with new sofas, desks, wall colours, art, bedding, pillows and window coverings.