Marriott to open two hotels in Dubai’s Jumeirah Village Circle

US hospitality group Marriott International has announced an agreement with Khamas Group of Investment LLC to open two new mid-market hotels in Dubai’s Jumeirah Village Circle development.

The Courtyard and Residence Inn branded properties will have 150 rooms and 100 rooms respectively and share facilities including food and beverage outlets, a health and leisure club, a swimming pool and meetings spaces.

Both are scheduled to open in 2020.

“Not only does this agreement illustrate our commitment to growing Marriott International’s portfolio in the UAE but it also reinforces the demand for mid-market hotel development in the market,” said Jerome Briet, vice president – lodging development, Middle East, Marriott International.

WSW Architects has been appointed to lead the project and WA International will manage the interior design.

Marriott claims to be the UAE’s largest hotel operator with 50 properties open and plans to reach more than 80 with over 20,000 rooms in the next five years.

The project pipeline includes an additional 12 properties under the Courtyard brand, adding to the six already operational, and 11 new properties under Residence Inn, from three currently open.

Dubai hotel rates declined significantly in July as demand failed to meet new hotel supply.

Read: Dubai hotel rates down double digits in July

The emirate saw an 11.5 per cent dip in average daily rate to Dhs471.25 and a 14.7 per cent dip in revenue per available room to Dhs309.76, according to preliminary data from STR.