Marriott International Introduces Two New Brands To The Brazilian Hotel Market

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Dec 07, 2012, 03:41 ET

BETHESDA, Md., Dec. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Marriott International (NYSE: MAR) announced today plans to introduce two of its mid-market hotel brands, the Fairfield Inn and Courtyard by Marriott brands in Brazil. The company will open a new 165-room Fairfield Inn by Marriott in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, and a 160-room Fairfield Inn by Marriott and 158-room Courtyard by Marriott hotel, both in Curitiba, Parana. All three properties will be developed under an agreement with Mr. Aldemir Dadalt, owner and president of Prisma Engenharia SA, a prominent regional real estate development and construction company based in Joinville, Santa Catarina, who has developed 14 hotels located in major cities of Southern Brazil.

The hotels will be Mr. Dadalt's second project with Marriott. The first was the 128-room Hotel & Spa do Vinho Caudalie, part of the Marriott's Autograph Collection, located in Bento Goncalves, Brazil's wine region in Rio Grande do Sul approximately 124 km from Porto Alegre.

"As Brazil is developing at rapid speeds, the country's middle class continues to grow and travel more and more, and needing reliable, high quality accommodations throughout the country," said Arne Sorenson, President and CEO of Marriott International. "These three new properties reaffirm the company's commitment to Brazil and mark the start of our aggressive growth plans in the country."

"We are fortunate to have found experienced regional partners in Brazil with a progressive mindset, with whom we look forward to continue to grow many successful hotels within the region," says Laurent de Kousemaeker, chief development officer for Marriott International, Inc. in the Caribbean & Latin America "Both Porto Alegre and Curitiba are in the top 10 markets of the 24 Brazilian cities we are targeting for our mid-market brands."

"We are thrilled with the concept and positioning of the Marriott brands, and are very excited about developing the first Fairfield by Marriott and Courtyard by Marriott brand hotels in partnership with Marriott International in the country. With Marriott's undisputed preference in the Americas and openness to adapt to the local needs, combined with our deep experience in the local hospitality market, we are confident that these hotels will do very well here in Brazil," said Aldemir Dadalt, owner and President of Prisma Engenharia SA.

The Brazil Development team at Marriott International, led by Guilherme Cesari, Vice President of Development for Brazil, conducted a comprehensive market research to adapt these brands to the domestic Brazilian business traveler.

The two Fairfield by Marriott hotels in Curitiba and Porto Alegre will be the first two introduced, both set to open in the first half of 2014 before the World Cup.

"A leader in the upper moderate hotel category, Courtyard offers modern design and great service that are ideal for the high tech and high touch demands of the fast growing middle class in this market," said Brian King, SVP Global Brand Management at Marriott International. "The newly developed Fairfield prototype speaks to Brazilians seeking value, comfort, consistency and the high quality of a Marriott hotel brand."

"We are thrilled with the concept and positioning of the Marriott brands, and are very excited about developing the first Fairfield by Marriott and Courtyard by Marriott brand hotels in partnership with Marriott International in the country. With our strategic know-how in the local hospitality market and the success of the two brands in other Latin American countries, we are confident that these hotels will do very well here in Brazil," said Aldemir Dadalt, owner and President of Prisma Engenharia SA.

The 158-room Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Curitiba, scheduled to open in early 2015, will feature the brand's refreshing business lobby, a casual dining restaurant, meeting space and recreational facilities include a swimming pool and a fitness center.

Marriott International is currently represented in Brazil by the 445-room Renaissance Sao Paulo Hotel, 245-room JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro, the 311-room Sao Paulo Airport Marriott, 114-unit Marriott Executive Apartments Sao Paulo and the 128-room Hotel & Spa do Vinho Caudalie.

The Courtyard by Marriott brand features hotels with a refreshing environment that helps guests stay connected, productive and balanced while traveling. Intuitive services and design accommodate guests' desire for choice and control and allow them to use the public space and guest rooms to meet all of their needs while on the road. With more than 900 locations in 38 countries, Courtyard has more locations than any other Marriott International brand. For more information about the brand, visit www.courtyard.com.

Launched in 1987, Fairfield Inn & Suites has become a leader in the moderate tier category. With more than 625 properties throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, guests can rely on Fairfield Inn & Suites to meet their lodging needs wherever their travels take them. Fairfield Inn & Suites participates in the company's award-winning Marriott Rewards® frequent guest program. For more information or reservations, visit the web site at www.fairfieldinn.com.

Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) is a leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA with more than 3,700 properties in 74 countries and territories and reported revenues of over $12 billion in fiscal year 2011. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 18 brands, including Marriott Hotels & Resorts, The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Bulgari, EDITION, Renaissance, Autograph Collection, AC Hotels by Marriott, Courtyard, Gaylord Hotels, Fairfield Inn & Suites, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Marriott Executive Apartments, Marriott Vacation Club, Grand Residences by Marriott, and The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club. There are approximately 300,000 employees at headquarters, managed and franchised properties. Marriott is consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business operations, which it conducts based on five core values: put people first, pursue excellence, embrace change, act with integrity, and serve our world. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.