MARRIOTT International has signed two new management contracts in Qatar and the Caribbean island of Curacao.
The former Sonesta Beach Resort and Emerald Casino in Curacao will become the Curacao Marriott Resort and Emerald Casino later this year following a series of upgrades to Marriott standard.
Owned by RIF resort Hotel NV, the property opened in 1992 and has a beachfront location on the southwest coast of the island.
Following the upgrades, the hotel will have three full-service restaurants and two bars as well as a business centre, shops, health club, tennis courts, parking and a 6000sq ft casino.
The former Sheraton Gulf International in Qatar will be renamed the Doha Marriott Gulf Hotel and will undergo renovation involving rooms, public areas and amenities and is scheduled for completion in 2001. Marriott will rely on its global reservations systems to provide the property with a steady stream of tourists.
The hotel group is also planning to open a second Courtyard-branded hotel in Graz in Austria in spring 2000.
n The London Marriott Hotel County Hall has been awarded group hotel of the year at the London Tourism Awards held at the Tower of London.