Just in time for the busy travel season, Marriott International’s upper-moderately-priced Courtyard by Marriott brand opened two new properties this past week in India, namely the 164-room Courtyard by Marriott Hyderabad and the 199-room Courtyard by Marriott Gurgaon which will be the first hotel in the company’s portfolio to welcome guests in the Delhi area. Both operate under a long-term management agreement with Marriott International. Hotels in this market segment are currently experiencing tremendous popularity among Indian business and leisure travelers.

“Courtyard is an excellent product for this market because it guarantees great value for money,” said Marriott International’s Geoff Garside, executive vice president for Asia-Pacific. “The hotels offer an array of services, high quality restaurants, fully equipped fitness centers and high tech meetings facilities in addition to spacious guest rooms that are larger than other hotels in the same category.”

A current promotional campaign across India, “You Stay, We Pay,” offers Courtyard guests INR 3000 (Dh 250 approximately) in credit, redeemable against hotel services that they can enjoy at outlets such as MoMo Cafe, Courtyard’s all day restaurant and lounge. The offer is valid until January 31, 2010.

Courtyard lobbies are contemporary, open and stylish, with colorful, bright and welcoming spaces where guests can check e-mail, gather informally with colleagues or simply relax. Conveniently located in major cities and situated in prime targeted areas, Courtyards in India are suitable for business meetings, social gatherings or just simple getaways.

Brian King, senior vice president, Select Service and Extended Stay Brand Management, describes the brand’s growth, “Courtyard is the world’s 12th largest hotel brand with more than 800 properties in 30 countries and is expanding quickly with a current pipeline of more than 150 hotels worldwide.”

Contemporary styled Courtyard by Marriott Hyderabad provides comfort for guests, boasting spacious guest rooms with plush bedding and large functional work spaces.  Owned by Viceroy Hotels Limited, the hotel’s general manager is Ty Collins and the director of marketing is Shampa Dhali.  Seven meeting rooms at the hotel offer 6,727 square feet of total meeting space with full catering services and experienced staff.  The property is centrally located in the hub of Hyderabad city and has a spectacular view of the famous Hussain Sagar Lake. Situated opposite the Hyderabad Marriott Hotel & Convention Centre and connected through a sky bridge, the hotel is a preferred MICE destination.

Courtyard by Marriott Gurgaon is owned by Sanya Hospitality Private Limited and led by Matthew Cooper as general manager and Pratima Badwhar as director of sales and marketing.  The property is strategically located in Gurgaon close to the New Delhi Airport. Courtyard Gurgaon offers an ideal hub for leisure travelers heading to the Taj Mahal in Agra or the Pink City in Jaipur. The hotel has seven meeting rooms totaling 3,283 square feet of total meeting space.

Additional Courtyard properties in India include Courtyard by Marriott Chennai and Courtyard by Marriott Pune Hinjewadi with 11 more in Marriott’s development pipeline for the next 48 months.