Hotel Rath to Become Marriott Ashbourne
Interstate Hotels & Resorts to Manage Newly Flagged Property Near Dublin, Ireland
ARLINGTON, VA, November 28, 2006. Interstate Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: IHR), one of the nation's largest independent hotel management companies, today announced that the under-construction Hotel Rath in Ashbourne, County Meath, Ireland will become a Marriott hotel under a new franchise agreement with the owners. Interstate, who signed a long-term contract in July to operate the property, will manage the new Ashbourne Marriott. The hotel is scheduled to open in early 2007.
Located within 15 minutes of Dublin International Airport, the 148-room, upscale hotel is owned by a local group of investors that includes John McCabe of McCabe Builders Ltd; Paddy Kelly, a well-known local developer; and John Walsh, a private developer.
"When we signed on as the management company, we brought with us strong relationships with the world's leading brands," said Thomas F. Hewitt, Interstate chief executive officer. "We determined that the Marriott flag was best suited for this property and its location. The combination of our proprietary management programs and the power of the Marriott brand will help us optimize results."
"This will be a landmark property in an ideal location for both business and leisure travelers, at the junction of two major thoroughfares that link Dublin to Derry and Belfast," said Hank Ciaffone, Interstate's president, international operations and development. "Both traveler groups are well served by the Marriott brand, with its first-class hotel amenities and services and 1,000 square meters of meeting space that can accommodate groups of up to 600. This is the 62nd Marriott property we manage, and we have a great working relationship with them."
Located in County Meath, north of Dublin, the Ashbourne Marriott also will serve the nearby suburbs of Swords and Rathoth and is at a convenient meeting point for trav\elers from Derry and Belfast.
The full-service property features the Mystic Steak & Seafood Restaurant, serving three meals a day; a lobby lounge and a modern Irish Pub, RED; as well as a street cafe serving lighter fare. Recreational amenities within the Clann, Health and Wellness Club include an indoor swimming pool and a 1,330-square meter health club with a steam room, a sauna, plunge pool, three treatment rooms, and a fitness area. Other amenities include 24-hour room service, a business center, in-room mini-bar, on-site parking and two retail shops.
Sean Worker, Interstate EVP operations and development, noted that the convenient location makes the hotel ideal as 'the place to meet' in the North Dublin corridor. "Marriott is known and respected around the world as a full-service hotel brand of the highest quality and service standards. We look forward to serving the complete needs of a diverse mix of travelers. And our ample meeting space will help us assume a leadership position with the business meetings and weddings markets, as well."
As of October 31, Interstate Hotels & Resorts operated 232 hospitality properties with more than 52,000 rooms in 40 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, and Russia. BridgeStreet Worldwide, an Interstate Hotels & Resorts subsidiary, is one of the world's largest corporate housing providers. BridgeStreet and its network of Global Partners offer approximately 10,000 corporate apartments located in more than 100 MSAs throughout the United States and internationally. For more information about Interstate Hotels & Resorts, visit the company's Web site: www.ihrco.com.