Courtyard Hotel Opens in Erie, Pennsylvania Under White Lodging Management

MERRILLVILLE, Ind., June 23, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- White Lodging is pleased to announce the Courtyard by Marriott Erie Bayfront opened its doors in Erie, Pennsylvania today. Featuring an innovative lobby space, Courtyard's latest contemporary room design, and breathtaking views, the new hotel provides flexibility and upscale elegance allowing guests to optimize and elevate their travel experience. Located at 2 Sassafras Pier, the 192-room hotel will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by Erie County Convention Center Authority and managed by White Lodging Services of Merrillville, Indiana.

Located on the shore of Presque Isle Bay and attached to the Bayfront Convention Center, the Courtyard Erie Bayfront is just seven miles from Erie International Airport and two minutes from downtown. The hotel also offers guests convenient access to the Bayfront Convention Center for meetings and conferences, quick access to Erie's downtown for nightlife, music, and the arts, as well as a water taxi to take guests over to Presque Isle State Park to one of their 11 beaches or several other outdoor activities.  The Courtyard Erie Bayfront now connects 392 guest rooms to the Bayfront Convention Center.

"From day one, Courtyard has prided itself as a brand that listens to business travelers," said Callette Nielsen, vice president and global brand manager, Courtyard. "Today's technology has changed how people travel. Our guests want a room that has purpose and flexibility that enables a seamless transition between relaxing and working. Courtyard is designed to offer them a relaxing and functional space to work the way they want to, when they want to."

The Shoreline Bar and Grille is a cocktail bar and eatery focusing on regional ingredients, craft cocktails and locally sourced beers. The eatery will be open for lunch and dinner service daily. Specialty items include a Gulf Shrimp and Lump Crab Roll, Andouille Deviled Eggs and a Gooey Butter Cake dessert with a variety of other small bites, salads and sandwiches. The Shoreline Grill features 100 indoor and outdoor seats. 

"White Lodging is proud to partner with the Erie Convention Center Authority on this beautiful hotel.  We believe customer service and spirited food and beverage will be a differentiator for this hotel.  We are excited to share crafted cocktails, local beers, wines and cuisine inspired from all points of the Great Lakes," says David Lanterman, Regional Vice President for White Lodging.  

Courtyard constantly researches trends and evolves to meet the changing needs of its guests. The latest room design offers hybrid zones for working, sleeping, relaxing and getting ready. Indirect lighting and a neutral, tone-on-tone color palette makes for a soothing and calm environment.

"I am extremely honored and excited to lead the team we've put together opening the new Courtyard Erie Bayfront hotel," said Stacy Tupek. "The Courtyard Erie Bayfront's amenities such as the outdoor infinity pool, the Shoreline Bar and Grille, and modern rooms with spectacular views, will provide another beautiful destination for all of our guests traveling for business or leisure. Together with our complex of hotels and the Bayfront Convention Center, Erie becomes a premier destination for Erie's local community and regional conferences and conventions."

The new room design is intuitive and thoughtful, offering flexible yet comfortable spaces that enable technology. Upon arrival, guests can store bags on the "Luggage Drop" and plug personal devices into the "Tech Drop" ledge for seamless technology integration. Selected rooms boast beautiful waterfront balconies with floor to ceiling windows, and all rooms offer signature furniture and architectural elements replacing traditional art in the new guestroom. The "LoungeAround" sofa offers a pop of color and a comfortable area for relaxing or for working. The new design also features a light desk on wheels, allowing guests to work from anywhere in the room.

The Courtyard Erie Bayfront also offers the Refreshing Business lobby environment, where guests can enjoy an open and bright area outside of their rooms. Along with media pods, complimentary Wi-Fi and a variety of seating zones, the redefined space is ideal for everything from pop-up meetings to social gatherings. The lobby also features The Bistro – Eat. Drink. Connect®, offering casual, flexible seating; easy access to food and high quality, healthy menu options for breakfast. The Shoreline Bar and Grille, an American gastropub, will serve lunch and dinner, and guests many choose to dine outdoors with more than 70 patio seats adjacent to inviting fire pits to take in the gorgeous view. Enjoy a local brew or a small batch bourbon while watching the sun set.

Throughout the hotel, guests can connect with ample electrical outlets. The business library features several computer terminals, along with a printer and separate computer stations dedicated solely to printing airline boarding passes and checking flight status.

Green has been Courtyard's signature color since Marriott launched the brand 30 years ago. Now it is even greener with the introduction of a guest recycling program for the environment. Receptacles for paper, glass, plastic and metal are conveniently located by side exits.

The five-story hotel features an indoor swimming pool and whirlpool spa, an outdoor infinity pool, a fitness center, guest laundry and the Shoreline Bar and  Grille for lunch, dinner, drinks and sunsets over the bay. The Courtyard Erie Bayfront offers 1,500 square feet of indoor meeting space as well as 20,000 square feet of patio space for unique events called the Anchor Plaza. The Courtyard Erie Bayfront will also allow pets to stay making this Courtyard the only one in the state of Pennsylvania to do so. Why leave your best friend at home when they can join you for the trip?

Courtyard by Marriott offers a refreshing environment that helps guests stay connected, productive and balanced. Intuitive services and design accommodate guests' needs for choice and control. With more than 1,000 locations in 38 countries and territories, Courtyard hotels participate in the award-winning Marriott Rewards® frequent travel program that allows members to earn hotel points or airline miles for every dollar spent during each stay. For more information or reservations, contact the Courtyard Erie Bayfront directly at 814-636-1005, call the Courtyard toll-free number at 800-321-2211, visit courtyard.marriott.com, become a fan at www.facebook.com/courtyard or follow Courtyard at www.twitter.com/courtyardhotels.   

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Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

White Lodging Services Corporation was established in 1985 and is headquartered in Merrillville, IN.  White Lodging is a fully integrated hotel ownership, development and operations company focused on developing and operating premium-branded hotels in growing urban markets across the United States. The company is a recognized leader that has defined and cultivated the ability to achieve consistent, sustainable growth among mid- to large-scale hotels. White Lodging has developed over 125 premium branded hotels over the last 25 years and its current managed portfolio consists of 165 hotels in 19 states including representation of the following leading brands:  Marriott International, Inc., Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt Global, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Preferred Hotels & Resorts and InterContinental Hotel Group.

For more information about White Lodging, please visit www.whitelodging.com, Facebook.com/whitelodgingservices, Twitter.com/whitelodging and Instagram.com/whitelodging.

Contact:
Kathleen Sebastian
Phone: 219.472.2861
Fax: 219.472.2273

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SOURCE White Lodging Services Corporation