Marriott International, which has more than 3,400 lodging properties in 68 countries and territories, will open its fourth branded hotel in Jordan in 2013 in Aqaba.

Marriott recently signed an agreement to proceed with its first luxury hotel in Aqaba, JW Marriott, with Beaches for Hotels & Spas, an affiliate of long-time Jordanian partner, Arab International Hotels.

Marriott International and Arab International Hotels, led by chairman of the board Nadim Muasher, also agreed to certain territorial exclusivity arrangements providing for the development of future hotels in Jordan in addition to the currently operating properties: the 294-room Amman Marriott, the 251-room Jordan Valley Marriott Resort & Spa and the 100-room Petra Marriott.

The 264-room JW Marriott Hotel Aqaba will be situated on the northern beach of the Gulf of Aqaba immediately adjacent to the Aqaba Marina, creating a unique destination that connects the city and the sea, a statement said.

The site is located in the centre of Aqaba and fronts onto a public beach on the Gulf and provides easy access to prized tourism destinations like Petra and Wadi Rum and all offshore reefs and water sports for which the Red Sea is famous. Aqaba International Airport is 10 minutes away.

“The Amman Marriott started operations some 30 years ago and was one of the first Marriott hotels to open outside the US,” said Muasher.

“We are happy that now we will be adding the JW Marriott in Aqaba to our properties in Amman, the Dead Sea and Petra,” he added.

The JW Marriott Hotel Aqaba will feature a wide range of food & beverage offerings, including an informal, vibrant lobby lounge; a pool bar with a covered terrace; an all-day casual restaurant; a specialty steak outlet; a restaurant connected to the marina and a Champions sports bar, the statement said.

Accommodations will be spacious and will offer the latest in modern guest services and amenities including wi-fi, flat screen television, Internet access and other electronic capabilities.

For recreation, the hotel will have an exceptional state-of-the-art health and leisure club that will incorporate a spa and a gymnasium featuring a yoga room, Turkish bath, indoor and outdoor swimming pool and a children’s play center. Guests will appreciate its executive lounge, book shop and business center. Other amenities include a spa shop, a gift shop and 12 additional retail outlets, the statement added. – TradeArabia News Service