MARRIOTT International plans to introduce its Residence Inn by Marriott lodging brand for extended stay travellers in Bahrain later this year, under a long-term management agreement with International Trading And Investment Co. The 78-unit property will open in the Juffair district of Manama and will be the first Residence Inn-branded property in the Middle East. Late last year, Marriott announced it would also operate a Residence Inn-branded property in Jizan, Saudi Arabia in 2012; a third Residence Inn-branded hotel will open in Algiers in 2014. 'We’re thrilled by the continued expansion of our presence in Bahrain and are excited to introduce our third lodging brand in the country, giving travellers a growing choice in accommodations when they visit the country,' said Ed Fuller, president and managing director for international lodging at Marriott. The Residence Inn by Marriott Juffair will be located adjacent to the Marriott Executive Apartments in an attractive suburban neighbourhood of Manama that is popular with international visitors and upwardly mobile Bahrainis. The property will offer a mix of spacious and stylishly-appointed studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom suites. Designed for stays of five days or more, each suite will have a fully-equipped kitchen and separate living area, flat-screen TV and state-of-the-art connectivity. Rates will vary depending on length of stay. A special feature will be the Residence Inn lobby with its club-like atmosphere and a restaurant that serves breakfast and small snacks for lunch and dinner. A business centre, including a 20-sq-m meeting room, a ‘Grab and Go’ kiosk/market offering snacks and basic food items for those in a hurry and retail space for sundry items will also be available as part of the lobby. Among special amenities to be offered will be a weekly complimentary social hour for guests and weekly grocery shopping. Recreational amenities will include an outdoor swimming pool and a health and leisure club with separate sauna and whirlpool. Residence Inn is Marriott International’s second largest lodging brand with more than 600 properties in North and Central America and the Caribbean with additional development under way in Europe and the Middle East and Africa. Marriott International currently manages the The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel and Spa and Marriott Executive Apartments Manama.
