BETHESDA, MD-Lobbies in approximately 500 Courtyard by Marriott hotels in the U.S. and Canada have been upgraded with bistros, digital wall-mounted information boards, more casual seating, additional work stations, and other features.

The 500 hotels equal roughly 60 percent of Courtyard's portfolio in North America. The lobby upgrade is intended to provide guests with an open area to relax instead of of just a place to walk through on their way to their rooms, following check-in.

According to global brand manager Janis Milam, Gen X and Gen Y travelers in particular like the opportunity to have a space in the hotel in addition to their guestroom where they can relax, meet informally with colleagues, and have casual food and beverages available for purchase.

An especially popular feature of the Courtyard lobby refresh has proven to be the electronic GoBoard, which provides news and weather updates as well as information on local attractions... Full Story

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