First Courtyard By Marriott Property In Guatemala City
Marriott International put another pin on its location map for Guatemala by recently opening its first Courtyard by Marriott property in Guatemala City.
Known as the Courtyard by Marriott Guatemala City, this property within the citycenter opened to guests in March 2017, with décor reflective of Guatemalan culture and high-end amenities that go a bit beyond what guests anticipate.
In choosing Guatemala as a location for the Courtyard brand, Michael Dail, vice president of global brand marketing for Marriott's umbrella brands including Courtyard, pointed out that the up and coming destination is getting moreattention with visitors, in particular with business travelers.
"The Courtyard by Marriott Guatemala City is conveniently located within 10 minutes of La Aurora International Airport, and is in the heart of the Financial and Business District of the capital," Dail said.
The hotel opening also shows continued development in Guatemala for Marriott. Dail said that two more Marriott brands are planned to open in the city, including the Euro-centric AC by Marriott.
As a new build property, Courtyard by Marriott Guatemala City has its spacious lobby area as a hotspot. Centro, a day-to-night bar/restaurant, serves in the morning as a breakfast buffet area, then in the evening becomes a social scene for cocktails and meal times. At Centro's bar stand, getting a cup of coffee or a glass of wine or bottle of a local beer is easily interchangeable.
Across from Centro, there is an open courtyard with a patio setting literally a step away from the lobby. Furniture seating within the lobby is both comfortable andwork friendly, with sleek sofas equipped with electrical outlets. Another technical service is "GoBoard," a touch wall-screen display functioning as an interactive visitor's map. This e-board can also help answers to questions such as whatrestaurants are nearby along with showing a layout of the direct area.
Also particular with the lobby, The Courtyard by Marriott Guatemala City features an artform known as tela tipica (a handicraft incorporating colorful, fabric mosaics) that was created through a partnership with local mosaic artist Sylvia Denburg. She is noted for producing mosaics made with the textiles of used clothing from indigenous women.
One piece, called "Sunset at Three Volcano," is located in the lounge area on thelobby level and is inspired by the natural scenery and volcanoes of Guatemala. The second piece, "Urbuanus: A New View of Guatemala City," is based behind the check-in area and is an artistic representation of a map of Guatemala City.
Away from the lobby, The Courtyard by Marriott Guatemala City also contains afitness center, a business center, and an in-room spa menu. With accommodations, there are various king and queen guestrooms and king-sized Courtyard by Marriott suites painted with soft colors and with spaces that are both functional andrelaxing.
In venturing out, there are many nearby shops, attractions and restaurants.
Ambia, a Guatemala/Thai fusion restaurant, takes many experimentalapproaches to cooking with nitrogen-fueled desserts or well-presented pasta,seafood and meat choices.
Underneath a palapa, Kacao cooks up a range ofmeat and fish selections but must-tries are Guatemalan specialties includingjocón and pepián.
As for sightseeing, The Courtyard by Marriott Guatemala City is about an hour from the city of Antiqua and an 80-minute drive to PacayaNational Park, home of the active Pacaya Volcano.