Published by Neil ThompsonKeele’s newest hotel, Courtyard by Marriott Keele Staffordshire, located at Keele University’s Science and Innovation Park, has opened its doors on 1st February 2021.
The 150-bedroom hotel, which has created 20 jobs for the local area, will initially be welcoming key workers to stay due to lockdown in the UK. Once restrictions are eased, Courtyard by Marriott Keele Staffordshire will boast a new Scholars Restaurant and Bar along with a coffee shop which will offer Starbucks for residents and the general public, two meeting rooms for up to 30 people, and a fitness suite. 180 new parking spaces have also been created to accommodate guests.
Courtyard by Marriott is part of Marriott International’s portfolio of brands. The hotel will be adopting Marriott International’s Commitment to Clean policy to provide guests with a safe environment that aligns with expert protocols for working to defeat Covid-19.
Scott Randall, General Manager of Courtyard by Marriott Keele Staffordshire, heads up the team with Head Chef, David Savage. Speaking on opening day, Scott Randall said: “We’re thrilled to be finally opening our doors today. Courtyard by Marriott Keele Staffordshire offers high quality accommodation in and a beautiful, picturesque setting on Keele University’s campus. We look forward to welcoming our first guests and supporting local key workers in the coming weeks.”
Peter de la Perrelle, Managing Director of Tower Hotel Management said: “Today marks a huge milestone for both the hotel but also for Tower Hotel Management in what has been a very testing 12 months for the hotel sector. To open a new hotel under the current conditions is an incredible achievement and I would like to take this opportunity to wish Scott and his team the best of luck with this new challenge.”
The hotel is located near to the main entrance of campus on the Science and Innovation Park and will provide much-needed accommodation for visiting parents, conference delegates, Keele Hall wedding guests and visitors to graduation ceremonies and open days, when such events can resume.
Nick Gostick, Head of Keele University’s Science and Innovation Park said: "The opening of an international chain hotel at Keele University's Science and Innovation Park is great news not only for the Park's business community, but also the county of Staffordshire.
"The Courtyard by Marriott Keele Staffordshire will be a welcomed place for overnight accommodation for visitors to over 50 companies who are based on our Park as well as visitors to the University for the plethora of events that take place throughout the year. We also envisage that the hotel will support regional growth as a perfect location for people travelling to Staffordshire and South Cheshire for business purposes."
Scott concludes: “We envisage that our guests will be a mix of people visiting Staffordshire for leisure or business activities as well as guests visiting the University, to meet with companies based on the Science and Innovation Park or families visiting Keele University students.”
The hotel has been built by one of the largest and most successful privately owned construction and development groups in the UK, Bowmer + Kirkland. Developed by Keele Hotel Developments, a joint venture between Marick Real Estate Ltd and Mill Lane Estates Ltd, the high-profile site is operated by Tower Hotel Management under a franchise agreement with Marriott International.
