HOTELS

Derek Gale

Courtyard's New Look & Feel
October 30, 2008

A 25-year-old brand, Courtyard by Marriott now has a fresh look and feel that includes an open lobby to promote social interaction, an updated business library incorporated into that lobby and a new central F&B outlet, The Bistro.

 



By the end of the year, 12 Courtyard properties (including new-builds and retrofits) will feature the new look and features, with another 150 or so scheduled to be completed in 2009, according to Brian King, vice president and global brand manager for Courtyard, which has nearly 800 properties worldwide. 

Perhaps most appropriate, the new Courtyard actually features an integrated indoor/outdoor courtyard for guests to relax in. Other fun features include a communal table with power outlets and data ports, and the brand's new GoBoard, which offers touch-screen access to the latest news, weather and airport information.







Early guest feedback on the new look and features has been positive, King says, and Courtyard hopes to drive US$5-US$15 more per night in rate based on the inviting new lobby.

"We've seen a 27% lift in intent to recommend and intent to return scores from our customers," King says. 

Guestrooms, meanwhile, aren't changing much, but do feature a new interior design package that aims for a modern, warm, approachable aesthetic. And bathrooms are moving to all showers, and will offer a table inside instead of the old towel bar.





King says the cost per key won't be affected much and should remain at about US$87,000.

Posted by Derek Gale on October 30, 2008 | Comments (1)