Courtyard by Mariott Hotel Opens in Muncie

By: Nina Herrera-Davila—

Hotel to host first-of-its-kind training program for people with disabilities

Courtyard by Marriott Muncie at Horizon Convention Center opened its doors in Muncie, Indiana this month. Featuring an innovative lobby space as well as Courtyard’s latest contemporary room design, the new hotel provides flexibility and choices that allow guests to optimize and elevate their travel experience.

Through The Arc of Indiana and its entities, the hotel will house the Erskine Green Training Institute and serve as a teaching hotel for people with disabilities. Students will live onsite and train for a variety of jobs in the hospitality and food-service industries.

“This project is only possible because so many people have come together to achieve this dream. We are making history  that will forever change the lives of people with disabilities,” said Kim Dodson, executive director of The Arc of Indiana and Arc Innovations.

Located at 601 South High Street, the 150-room hotel will operate as a Marriott franchise, owned by Arc Innovations and managed by Indianapolis based General Hotels Corporation. Whether travelling for business or pleasure, the Courtyard Muncie at Horizon Convention Center offers guests convenient access to Muncie Children’s Museum, Minnetrista Cultural Center, Oakhurst Gardens and Ball State University.

Courtyard constantly researches trends and evolves to meet the changing needs of its guests. The latest room design offers hybrid zones for working, sleeping, relaxing and getting ready. Indirect lighting and a neutral, tone-on-tone color palette makes for a soothing and calm environment.

Inside one of the Courtyard by Mariott suites. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

“From day one, Courtyard has prided itself as a brand that listens to business travelers,” said Callette Nielsen, vice president and global brand manager, Courtyard. “Today’s technology has changed how people travel. Our guests want a room that has purpose and flexibility that enables a seamless transition between relaxing and working. Courtyard is designed to offer them a relaxing and functional space to work the way they want to, when they want to.”

The new room design is intuitive and thoughtful, offering flexible yet comfortable spaces that enable technology. Upon arrival, guests can store bags on the “Luggage Drop” and plug personal devices into the “Tech Drop” ledge for seamless technology integration.

Signature furniture and architectural elements replace traditional art in the new guestroom. The “LoungeAround” sofa offers a pop of color and a comfortable area for relaxing or for working. The new design also features a light desk on wheels, allowing guests to work from anywhere in the room.

An upgraded, more spacious layout creates an enhanced bathroom experience. A “Shower Nook” housing shampoos and towels, makes amenities accessible without having to leave the shower.

The Courtyard Muncie at Horizon Convention Center also offers the Refreshing Business lobby environment, where guests can enjoy an open and bright area outside of their rooms. Along with media pods, complimentary Wi-Fi and a variety of seating zones, the redefined space is ideal for everything from pop-up meetings to social gatherings. The lobby also features The Bistro – Eat. Drink. Connect®, offering casual, flexible seating; easy access to food and high quality, healthy menu options for breakfast; and light evening fare, including snacks, cocktails, wine and beer so guests can unwind.

A view inside the lobby of the downtown Courtyard by Marriott. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Throughout the hotel, guests can connect with ample electrical outlets. The business library features several computer terminals, along with a printer and separate computer stations dedicated solely to printing airline boarding passes and checking flight status.

Green has been Courtyard’s signature color since Marriott launched the brand 30 years ago. Now it is even greener with the introduction of a guest recycling program for the environment. Receptacles for paper, glass, plastic and metal are conveniently located by side exits.

“As we looked at hotel brands, Courtyard by Marriott was our first choice. Not only does this brand bring so much to the venture, their training program is exceptional and their participation in our training institute will be tremendous. Together with all of our key partners, we have built this truly unique training institute and teaching hotel.” Dodson said.

The six-story hotel offers an indoor swimming pool, fitness center and guest laundry, and offers two onsite meeting rooms with an additional 47,000 square feet of functional meeting space connected to the property by covered walkway at the Horizon Convention Center. The hotel also features Th3re Wise Men Brewing Company, offering highly focused fare featuring locally grown ingredients and their own freshly brewed craft beer on tap.

Three Wise Men. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

About Courtyard by Marriott

Courtyard by Marriott offers a refreshing environment that helps guests stay connected, productive and balanced. Intuitive services and design accommodate guests’ needs for choice and control. With more than 1,000 locations in 38 countries and territories, Courtyard hotels participate in the award-winning Marriott Rewards® frequent travel program that allows members to earn hotel points or airline miles for every dollar spent during each stay. For more information or reservations, contact the Courtyard Muncie at Horizon Convention Center directly at 765-287-8550, call the Courtyard toll-free number at 800-321-2211, visit courtyard.marriott.com, become a fan at www.facebook.com/courtyard or follow Courtyard at www.twitter.com/courtyardhotels.

Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

About The Arc of Indiana

The Arc of Indiana was established in 1956 by parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities who joined together to build a better and more accepting world for their children. Today, the combined strength of local Arcs, state Arcs and The Arc of the United States makes The Arc the largest national community-based organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. For more information please visit www.arcind.org.

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