ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A great place to stay before you go.
That message, from those who operate the Lehigh Valley International Airport, was relayed Thursday during groundbreaking ceremonies for a Courtyard by Marriott.
Among the amenities at the 145-room hotel at the airport will be an exercise room, bistro and three expanded conference rooms officials said.
A grand opening is anticipated by late 2026 or early 2027, they said.
“Having this hotel next to the airport makes it so efficient for travelers and also adds to the capacity of hotels along the Airport Road corridor."Thomas Stoudt, executive director, Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority
“Having this hotel next to the airport makes it so efficient for travelers and also adds to the capacity of hotels along the Airport Road corridor,” said Thomas Stoudt, executive director of the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority, which owns and operates the airport.
“We conceived this project pre-pandemic, which hindered the advancement. Now, today, seven years later, we’re breaking ground for a Marriott.
“This project not only elevates our service, but also supports growing tourism in the region.”
The groundbreaking was attended by many local and state dignitaries, including state Sen. Nick Miller, D-14th District, who last year helped secure a $1 million grant for the project through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.
“This is just the next phase of the investment in the airport,” Miller said. “This is an opportunity for us to grow our infrastructure through investments.”
'Your stay, your way'
Tom Reese, vice president of lodging development for Marriott International, called the Courtyard hotel “the perfect brand for this area.”
“Marriott has many different brands,” Reese said. “Different brands speak to different travelers. A Courtyard speaks to that person who’s staying, you know, one, two or three nights.
“We know this market very well. Courtyard has been in this market before. There was a hole for that type of traveler here. This was just a really good fit.”Tom Reese, vice president of lodging development for Marriott International
“We know this market very well. Courtyard has been in this market before. There was a hole for that type of traveler here. This was just a really good fit.”
The airport authority in 2023 approved a $3 hotel privilege fee that would be added to the price of a hotel room at the airport, which will apply to rooms at the Marriott.
The fee is anticipated to increase for the first five years, and increase every 10 years thereafter based on the consumer price index.
High occupancy rates are anticipated for the hotel, airport officials have said.
A nonprofit developer, Provident Resources Group, will own the hotel and lease from the airport ground until the project is paid off, after which ownership will cede to the airport — in about 40 years, according to airport estimations.
In the end, the choosing of Courtyard by Marriott over other hotel brands came down to relationships.
“The great pre-existing relationship with the airport was a deciding factor,” Reese said. “The group that actually put this together had a wonderful relationship with Marriott; it predates me.
“It also comes to a point where other hotels aren’t at the standard that we have. We cater to the customer.
“It’s our slogan: Your stay, your way.”
