Marriott International will vastly expand its presence in Scandinavia over the next six years, which will result in the opening of 15 hotels in the region.

This comes after a multiple franchise agreement was struck with the Scandinavian Hospitality Group.

The agreement is expected to see the Marriott, Renaissance, Courtyard and Marriott Executive Apartments brands expand in Sweden, Norway and Finland through 2013. Marriott’s first hotel in Scandinavia is the Copenhagen Marriott which opened in 2001.

The first two properties to open under the agreement are scheduled for 2009. They are the:

-272-room Courtyard by Marriott Stockholm-Kungsholmen in Sweden

-155-room Courtyard by Marriott Kristiansund in Norway

‘We are thrilled that soon travelers to Scandinavia will be able to stay in a Marriott International-branded hotel. Having a strong presence in the region has been a strategic objective of ours for a long time. We are equally delighted to be working with the Scandinavian Hospitality Group. They are an experienced hotel company with a proven track record of successfully operating major brands. We are confident that these two properties will be popular and successful with the traveling public,’ said Arne Sorenson, Marriott International’s chief financial office and president of Europe.

‘The Marriott product and its standards will bring innovation into the Scandinavian market. These two Courtyards are the first out and they will soon be a part of an even bigger Marriott branded hotel family in Scandinavia. Working together with Marriott so far has been a fantastic experience. Marriott’s different brands, their people and the way they do business give SHG an opportunity to succeed in the Scandinavian market,’ said Harald Jacobsen, SHG’s president.

Courtyard is Marriott’s largest brand. At nearly 800 properties globally, it ranks as the 13th largest hotel brand in the world. Courtyard hotels are aimed at travelers who put a premium on having superior accommodations and functional and welcoming environments that enable them to focus on the business at hand.

Guest rooms at both Courtyard hotels will have high quality finishes, featuring marble bathrooms, oversized, glass-top work desks, ergonomic chair, two telephone lines, a data-port, high-speed internet access, in-room mini-fridge and safe and Marriott’s newly introduced finer bed and bath linens-all in a welcoming environment that provides ‘peace of mind,’ connection and relaxation.

Courtyard by Marriott Stockholm-Kungsholmen

The Courtyard by Marriott Stockholm-Kungsholmen will be part of a mixed-use project that includes about 350 residential apartments in the western suburbs of Stockholm. More than 300 companies are located in Kungsholmen, including the international headquarters of corporations such as Electrolux, Pharmacia and Ericsson.

The hotel will be within a short walk from the major leisure attractions of Stockholm and the Kungsholmen district itself is widely-known for its many cafes, restaurants and bars. Arlanda International Airport and Bromma Airport (domestic) are easily accessible from the hotel and two subway lines serve the area, connecting it to Stockholm’s central business district within a five-minute train ride.

For dining and entertainment, the hotel will have an all-day, casual restaurant, a lobby lounge and bar and a sports bar. Recreational amenities will focus on a fitness center. Business amenities will include an internet corner in the lobby. In addition, there will be a lobby Grab & Go kiosk for travelers in a hurry.

For social events and conferences, the Courtyard by Marriott Stockholm-Kungshomen will offer 9,598 square feet of function space including a 7,069-square foot ballroom that will be divisible into three sections and a 2,529 square feet of additional space in varying configurations.

Courtyard by Marriott Kristiansund International Airport

The Courtyard by Marriott Kristiansund International Airport will be connected to the airport via a covered walkway. Kristiansund’s town center is approximately seven kilometers away.

Located about 570 kilometers northwest of Oslo, Kristiansund is an important fishing port that in recent years has become a major oil and gas center. Shell, Statoil and Norsk Hydro all have office in the city. The United Kingdom, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal all have consulates in Kristiansund.

For dining and entertainment, the Courtyard by Marriott Kristiansund International Airport will have a casual, all-day restaurant and a lobby lounge/bar. Outdoor dining will be available during seasonable weather.

Recreational amenities will include a fitness center. The hotel will also have an internet corner and a Grab & Go kiosk.

For social events and conferences, the hotel will have 9,405 square feet of function space. The 6,994-square foot ballroom will be divisible into three sections. Four additional meeting rooms totaling 2,411 square feet of space will also be available in varying configurations.

Other brands that will be introduced by SHG in Scandinavia over the next six years include Marriott and Renaissance in the upscale, deluxe category and the deluxe Marriott Executive Apartments for extended stay travelers. A brief description of these brands follows:

Marriott Hotels & Resorts. This is Marriott’s flagship upscale, deluxe hotel brand. It focuses on inspiring its guests’ best performance during travel. With almost 500 hotels worldwide, Marriott offers a modern-day approach to the classic hospitality that has made it a leading choice for travelers for more than 50 years.

Renaissance Hotels & Resorts. Renaissance strives to keep life interesting for its guests during travel, offering stylish environments and opportunities to explore each unique destination along with the attentive service of an upscale hotel. At more than 140 worldwide Renaissance locations, every moment adds up to an interesting stay that enriches one’s journey.
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