World’s largest hotel chain The Marriott set to open in Darwin
The world’s largest hotel chain is set to launch in Darwin. See what and where.
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The world’s largest hotel group, Marriott International, is preparing to open its first hotel in Darwin.
The United States giant has signed with Northern Territory builder DCOH to open Courtyard by Marriott Darwin at the existing Smith Hotel.
It will make Darwin the fourth Australian city with the prestigious hotel marque, which had previously hoped to develop a hotel at Darwin’s Waterfront.
The rebranding will come with extensive renovations expected to take two years, with phase one set for completion in 2025 and the final phase in 2027.
The rebranded Courtyard by Marriott will feature 186 guest rooms, an outdoor pool, rooftop gym and a restaurant serving Australian-Asian modern cuisine.
Darwin will be the Marriott’s fourth Australian location with existing hotels in Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane.
Marriott International vice president Richard Crawford said the new strategic partnership was important.
“As the world’s largest hotel company there are few capital cities where Marriott International does not have a presence,” he said.
“Our expansion into Darwin has been a priority, as we seek to grow our footprint in Australia.
“The power of Marriott International’s leading distribution platforms and unmatched loyalty program, Marriott Bonvoy, is fuelling unprecedented interest from independent and competitor-branded hotels eager to join Marriott’s global portfolio.
“Around 40 per cent of our global hotel signings in 2024 across the Asia Pacific region will be existing hotels seeking to maximise their competitive advantages and future proof their success’’.
DCOH managing director Shane Dignan said a Marriott-branded hotel in Darwin was a coup for the city, with the group’s loyalty program being a feature.
“Having them here is a wonderful thing,” he said.
“Getting them here was a real coup.
“When it comes to unlocking the full potential of our key CBD assets under Trilogy, the Darwin community deserves the very best, and that means bringing an outstanding global brand like Courtyard by Marriott to the Darwin marketplace”.
Scott Boyes, CEO of Trilogy Hotels, shared his excitement for the partnership.
“We are thrilled to be bringing Marriott to Darwin, and in a big way, to a proudly locally owned hotel. Trilogy will work closely with Marriott to maximise the unique opportunities this market holds,” he said.
Marriott International director of Hotel Development for Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific, Tristan Cooper, said the brand’s loyalty program would deliver significant benefits to Darwin.
“We are very confident that our 219 million Marriott Bonvoy members across the world will be an important customer base for our latest offering,” he said.
“Darwin enjoys strong proven demand from leisure, corporate, government, defence, and special events markets, which will be central to our vision to take what is already a fine hotel to the next level of excellence and success”.
The Marriott chain had previously hoped to develop a luxury hotel at Darwin’s Waterfront, but plans were scrapped after Covid-19.
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