The Bethesda-based hotel giant says it is introducing a prototype in its Courtyard by Marriott brand that will be pre-certified LEED compliant. The first opens in April 2010 in Pittsburgh.
Marriott says the green hotel prototype will save owners $100,000 and six months in design time and cut a hotel's energy and water consumption by up to 25 percent.
It will eventually expand the pre-certified LEED prototype to other brands, including Fairfield Inn, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites and TownePlace Suites, which combined have more than 290 properties in development, Marriott said.
"Marriott's commitment makes it among the first in the world to commit to implementing green buildings on this scale," said Doug Gatlin, vice president of the U.S. Green Building Council.
Marriott (NYSE: MAR) currently has 50 hotels registered for LEED, with 15 open or set to open by the end of 2010.
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