Elaine Watson appointed General Manager of the Courtyard by Marriott Green Community Dubai

Elaine Watson, has been appointed Marriott International’s first female General Manager in the Middle East as she prepares to introduce Marriott’s Courtyard brand to the UAE.

The 165-room Courtyard by Marriott Green Community Dubai and 43-unit Marriott Executive Apartments are part of a multi-use residential/commercial development currently under construction on the outskirts of Dubai. The hotel is scheduled to open in November 2004.

Elaine is a Qualified Accountant who began her career in hotels 15 years ago as a Financial Controller in the UK. Elaine held posts as a Rooms Division Manager and Operations Manager with Whitbread Hotel Company – master franchisee for Marriott International in the UK – prior to joining Marriott International in July 2001 as the pre-opening General Manager for the Marriott Executive Apartments in Dubai. 

Elaine was the first female General Manager to join Marriott in the Middle East, and the Marriott Executive Apartments was the first of this brand in the Middle East. Her second Middle East challenge sees her introducing Marriott’s mid-tier Courtyard brand to the Dubai market.

“Introducing such a targeted, niche brand like the Courtyard to Dubai is extremely exciting. Designed by business travellers for business travellers, the Courtyard by Marriott Green Community will provide a much needed lodging opportunity for companies within Jebel Ali Free Zone, Internet and Media cities and the Dubai Investment Park. Its leisure facilities also make it the perfect choice for sports enthusiasts visiting the Autodrome, while its restaurants, I am sure, will provide a recipe for success among residents of the Green Community,” said Elaine Watson, General Manager for the Courtyard by Marriott Green Community Dubai.

A purpose-built hotel, the Courtyard will offer premium services at a moderate price and is the ideal choice for the frequent business traveller. The hotel will have 165 spacious, well appointed rooms, including 81 King size, 74 Double/Double rooms, four Junior Suites and six Executive Suites.

For meetings, there will be conference and banqueting facilities for up to 500, a business centre and state-of-the art audiovisual equipment. All day dining is to be provided at the hotel restaurant, which will offer a private dining room for those special occasions. Italian trattoria cooking will be available at Dubai’s second Cucina the Italian Kitchen restaurant, while the lobby lounge and bar provide the perfect place to relax after a busy day.

Leisure facilities will include an outdoor swimming pool, children’s pool, fully equipped gymnasium, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi.

The Courtyard’s facilities are also perfectly positioned to serve the growing number of companies taking up residence at the Jebel Ali Free Zone, and Media and Internet Cities.