Marriott, Destination part ways over Courtyard brand in Phuket

PHUKET: Marriott International and Destination Properties Thailand have parted ways over the management of four hotels in Thailand, three of which are in Phuket.

The properties in Phuket are the Courtyard by Marriott hotels in Patong, Kamala and at Surin Beach. The fourth hotel to no longer operate as a Marriott brand is the Courtyard by Marriott in Hua Hin.

Another international management company is expected to take over the running of the hotels before April 1, the first day of the tax year in Thailand.

Local staff have reported they have been informed of the change of operator and that employees will be retained through the handover.

“We are happy to conclude these discussions with our partners at Destination Properties and we wish them well with the on-going success of these four hotels. We are excited to continue working with them on other existing projects here in Thailand,” Philip Bryson, Area Vice President for Marriott in South East Asia, said in a statement.

Destination Properties, under principal Gary Murray, also own the Hilton Hua Hin and the Talay Karon Beach resort (formerly the Ramada), which is currently closed for expansion, as well as a suspended hotel project in Kamala that was slated for management by Marriott under their flagship brand.

— Bill Barnett