Marriott International has confirmed plans to introduce its Residence Inn into Bahrain later this year, under a long term management agreement with International Trading & Investment (ITI).

The 78-unit extended lodging property will open in the Juffair district of Manama and will be the first Residence Inn-branded property in the Middle East. 

Late last year, Marriott announced it would also operate a Residence Inn-branded property in Jizan, Saudi Arabia in 2012; a third Residence Inn-branded hotel will open in Algiers in 2014.

Pictured: Ed Fuller, president international lodging, Marriott International, and Sheikh Hisham Abdulrahman Al-Khalifa, chairman of ITI

“We are thrilled by the continued expansion of our presence in Bahrain and are excited to introduce our third lodging brand in the country, giving travellers a growing choice in accommodations when they visit the country,” said Marriott’s Ed Fuller.

The Residence Inn by Marriott Juffair will be located at adjacent to the Marriott Executive Apartments in an attractive suburban neighbourhood of Manama that is popular with international visitors and upwardly mobile Bahrainis.

Juffair is the site of Bahrain’s largest mosque, the huge domed Al Fateh Mosque, as well as the adjacent new National Library.

Sheikh Hisham Abdulrahman Al-Khalifa, chairman of International Trading & Investment Co., said, “We are delighted to develop the first Residence Inn by Marriott in the Middle East.

“This reflects our full confidence in the economic growth of Bahrain under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa.

“We are grateful to the Marriott team for their support to develop the Residence Inn. After the success of the Marriott Executive Apartments, the opening of the Residence Inn by Marriott will provide more options of branded serviced apartments in Bahrain and will further strengthen our valuable association with Marriott.”