Marriott brand debuts in SA

MARRIOTT International will open its first branded hotel and conference centre in Johannesburg’s Melrose Arch precinct, opposite the Protea Hotel Fire & Ice. 

 

Alex Kyriakidis, president and md of Marriott International’s MEA region, told TNW that the new development would comprise 150 hotel rooms, 200 long-stay apartments and a conference centre catering for groups of up to 500 people. The hotel will feature mobile check-in and check-out, as well as a mobile chat application.

 

Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch and Marriott Executive Apartments will be developed by the Amdec Group, which also developed the Melrose Arch precinct. Construction is expected to begin soon and the hotel will open its doors in 2018. 

 

The new development would broaden the appeal of the precinct, while the new conference centre would fill a gap in its offering, Alex said. The apartments will be serviced and guests at the apartments will have the full use of the hotel’s facilities. 

 

The development would bring much-needed MICE business as well as long-stay guests, said Alex, and added that the group saw a need in Africa for branded long-stay accommodation for corporate travellers. “Serviced apartments give guests the opportunity of having a home away from home.” 

 

He added that the apartments had a living room and kitchen and also offered the security that came with a known brand. Alex also hinted that the group was keen to develop further hotels in South Africa.

 

Marriott also expects to complete its roll-out of Marriott Rewards, the company’s loyalty programme, to its Protea portfolio by the end of this year. Protea guests will be able to earn and redeem Marriott Reward points across Marriott’s portfolio worldwide.