Nickelodeon, Marriott Team Up for Branded Resorts
Nickelodeon and Marriott International, Inc. have teamed up in a new partnership to co-develop a branded water park resort, and the companies are taking the concept global.
Marriott and Nickelodeon, a division of Viacom International, plan to have 20 resorts under construction by 2020. The first, which will be built in a former naval yard, will be a 650-room resort at Liberty Station in San Diego. The centerpiece will be a 100,000 square-foot water park and activity deck complex. Developers expect to break ground in January 2008 and open in 2010.
Nickelodeon Resorts by Marriott is an upscale resort that will blend the children’s property and its beloved characters with a popular hotel chain. Miller Global Properties, a real estate investment and development company, will own the locations. Financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed.
Each resort will offer state-of-the-art pools and water features, sliming stations, plus live entertainment programs featuring costumed characters like Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants. In addition, Studio Nick, the main stage theater space will feature live entertainment programs.
The resort won’t be just for children. In addition to the kid-friendly activities, each will feature a full-service spa and fitness center, a number of dining and lounge offerings, private poolside cabanas and an “adults only” lap pool. Under the deal, Marriott will manage all Nickelodeon Resorts properties.
The concept builds off the Nick Hotel in Orlando, which opened in 2005 and is operated by Holiday Inn. Financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed.
Other resort locations under consideration for development include the Caribbean and Mexican resort areas, the UK and Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East.
The concept build off the Nick Hotel in Orlando, which opened in 2005 and is operated by Holiday Inn.
“The pilot in Orlando was a great experience for us,” said Cyma Zarghami, president of Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group, at a press event yesterday. “Now with Marriott by our side, we are expanding Nickelodeon around the world.”
Marriott developed the concept with Nickelodeon to answer younger Baby Boomers’ needs for family-friendly destinations that offer a mix of business and pleasure, Richard S. Hoffman, executive vice president mergers, acquisitions & business development, Marriott International, Inc. said.
“This is an extension for us that makes perfect sense,” Hoffman said. “It’s a great way to extend our reach.”
