Marriott International, Inc. has announced the development of the 198-room Courtyard by Marriott Setif, Algeria, under management agreement with ownership group Prom-Bati SPA (president is Mr. Rachid Khenfri). The hotel will be part of the Park Mall mixed use development, located in the heart of Setif, a prosperous and diverse city in central Algeria, about 100 kms/62 miles from the Mediterranean coast and 482 kms/300 miles southeast of the capital Algiers.  The Courtyard by Marriott Setif and the Courtyard by Marriott Algiers, announced previously, will both open in 2014.

“We chose Marriott International for its expertise as an operator of hotels around the world and for the strength of its brands,” said Rachid Khenfri, president of Prom-Bati SPA.  “We liked the Courtyard brand in particular for this location because of its modern look and feel, its understanding of the business traveler, and its comfortable and efficient accommodations.”

“We are thrilled by the continued expansion in Algeria and are excited that when this hotel opens in Setif, we will be represented in the country with six hotels and five brands,” said Ed Fuller, president & managing director of International Lodging for Marriott International.  Marriott International’s first hotel in Algeria, the Renaissance Tlemcen, opened in 2011, and in 2014 the company will open four others in one complex – the Algiers Marriott, Algiers Marriott Executive Apartments, Courtyard by Marriott Algiers and Residence Inn by Marriott Algiers – followed by the Courtyard by Marriott Setif.

The 198-room Courtyard by Marriott will offer the brand’s signature “refreshing business” lobby, featuring bright contemporary design, innovative technology and flexible space.  The redefined area allows guests more control and choice over their stay, with services and amenities that create a healthy balance between working and relaxing.  The hotel will also have a casual restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a lobby lounge.  On the third floor will be 6,896 square feet of flexible meeting space. Other guest amenities will include a prayer room, fitness center and pool, business center, room service and gift shop.

Each guest room, including 109 standard rooms, 37 larger rooms and 52 suites and junior suites, will be equipped with flat-panel televisions, complimentary Wi-Fi access and a functional work area with a multi-level desk that gives guests the space to spread out and work however they choose.  The centerpiece of the living area is a stylish and modern loveseat sofa that also doubles as a pullout bed.

Algeria is the largest country on the Mediterranean Sea and the 11th largest country in the world in terms of land area, with a population of approximately 34.9 million. Setif is an agricultural as well as an industrial center and is also home to the fifth largest University of Setif, with 56,000 students.  In addition to the Courtyard hotel, the Park Mall complex will include a shopping mall, an office tower, residential apartments and underground parking facilities.

Although 80 per cent of visitors to Setif are business travelers, the city has some important cultural attractions, such as the archeological museum and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Djemila. Located 50 km/31 miles from Setif, it is considered one of the world’s most beautiful Roman ruins and the site of the ancient Roman colony founded during the reign of Nerva (96 – 98 A.D.)

Marriott is represented in the Middle East and Africa with 37 hotels in 11 countries, including eight operating in Northern Africa - in Algeria and Egypt. Anther 11 hotels are under construction in Northern Africa – in Algeria, Egypt and Morocco.