Marriott Courtyard opens, raising the stakes in the hotel zone

The 208-room Courtyard by Marriott, which directly faces the Yucatán International Convention Center, has finally opened, expanding the hotel zone and replacing an abandoned appliance store on a high-profile street corner. A Hilton, in blue, and a Hyatt property can be seen in the distance. Photo: Courtesy

The most elaborate new hotel project in years has opened across from the Yucatán International Convention Center.

Courtyard By Marriott opened a 208-room hotel in Mérida, operated by Grupo Presidente, which previously ran the InterContinental on the other side of the block. It replaces an abandoned appliance store that sat on the high-profile Avenida Colón-Calle 62 intersection and links the hotel zone further west with the Wyndham and the Wyam hotels.

“We are very excited to add the Courtyard By Marriott Mérida Downtown hotel to our portfolio, the first Courtyard by Marriott property that we will operate in Mexico with Marriott International. With this incorporation, we reiterate our confidence to invest in the state of Yucatán and to put this emblematic state back on the list of the most visited destinations in the world,” said Braulio Arsuaga Losada, CEO of Grupo Presidente.

The hotel, built in a modernistic style, has a dramatic lobby leading to a Napa Restaurant and elevators leading to the Sky Lounge on the roof. It also offers three meeting rooms with natural lighting.

The midsize, full-service property breaks from the more prevalent “business express” style lodgings or the numerous niche “boutique” hotels that have arisen in the city.

Marriott earlier announced the opening of a Residence Inn near the Siglo XXI convention center. With 151 suites equipped with kitchens, the property offers travelers a long-stay option when visiting Yucatán.

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