A groundbreaking ceremony held at
10 a.m. today announced the construction of the new Courtyard by Marriott
and Residence Inn by Marriott scheduled to open in the heart of downtown
Austin late summer 2006. This uniquely designed hotel facility will
combine the distinctive comforts of two Marriott brand hotels presenting a
total of 449 guest rooms and suites with shared professional meeting and
recreation facilities, plus onsite Champions Restaurant & Sports Bar. “The new Courtyard and Residence Inn is a great enhancement to downtown
Austin,” stated Mayor Will Wynn. “Adding extra guest rooms and dining
space will allow us to accommodate more visitors to our friendly
community.”

The hotels will be located at 300 E. 4th Street at Trinity Street, in the
heart of downtown Austin, walking distance to most of the city’s famed
attractions including the Austin Convention Center, 6th street
entertainment district including over 100 restaurants and lounges, Austin
Museum of Art, State Capitol and the Governor’s Mansion. Both hotels will
be connected through 6,600 square feet of meeting space that encompasses
seven meeting rooms and a boardroom. The meeting facility can accommodate
meetings and groups up to 275 people with on-site catering for special
events. Both hotels will also share access to a heated indoor pool,
whirlpool, and large fitness center.

“We’re very excited to be partnering with White Lodging on this exciting
project,” said Beth Korsos, regional vice president, for Marriott’s South
Central region. “This is a unique development that meets the needs to two
distinct customers. Residence Inn is an extended-stay hotel designed to be
a home away from home for stays of five nights or more, while Courtyard,
America’s leading select-service hotel brand, provides guests with a
combination of casual comfort and time saving services.”

Dining options for the hotels include Champions Restaurants & Sports Bar,
which will serve American fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The
Courtyard hotel will also offer the Courtyard Cafe, which will be open for
breakfast. A Starbucks Coffee Shop located off the lobby is perfect for
guests to enjoy freshly prepared espresso drinks, delicious pastries and
fine coffee. There will also be a 24-hour pantry available which will
serve sandwiches and beverages.

The 270-room Courtyard will introduce the brand’s new “reinvented”
prototype recently rolled out by Marriott International, that features a
new look, feel and functionality to accommodate the changing needs of
business travelers. Each guest room features fresh, updated decor with a
modern residential look, including beds with thicker oversized mattresses,
enhanced linens, oversized down pillows and moveable console desk. In-room
amenities include complimentary high-speed internet access, coffee and tea
service, hairdryer, iron/ironing board and two telephones with multiple
lines, data ports and voicemail. Travel-friendly design details continue
throughout the hotel, including a unique lobby-level business library with
free wireless and high-speed internet access. A “walk-around” front desk
allows for increased guest interaction and more personalized services.

The 179 room-all suite Residence Inn is ideal for travelers who are away
from home for more than a night or two. The studio, 1- and 2-bedroom
suites are designed with separate areas for living, working, eating and
sleeping. Each suite features a fully-equipped, full sized kitchen,
complimentary high- speed internet access, large work desk with ergonomic
chair, hairdryer, coffee and tea service and iron/ironing board.
Additional amenities include complimentary hot breakfast buffet every
morning and a complimentary Manager’s Reception (Mon - Thur).
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