Marriott International, Nickelodeon and Miller Global Properties today (June 10) announced an agreement to co-develop a new lodging resort brand and concept for travellers seeking fun and adventure. “Nickelodeon Resorts by Marriott” will have 20 hotels by 2020.

Nickelodeon is a unit of Viacom International's MTV Networks.

The new upscale, self-contained destination resorts will be developed through a collaboration among Nickelodeon, the world’s number-one entertainment brand for kids, with 35 channels reaching approximately more than 200 million households in 135 countries; Marriott International, which has nearly 2,900 hotels in 68 countries; and Miller Global Properties.  Miller Global will have certain exclusive rights to develop and own the resorts in specified geographic areas, and plans to seed an investment fund that is expected to initially provide $300 million of dedicated development equity capital.  All “Nickelodeon Resorts by Marriott” properties will be managed by Marriott.

The first “Nickelodeon Resorts by Marriott” property is expected to be a 650-room resort at Liberty Station in San Diego, which will incorporate a 100,000 sq ft water park and activity deck complex featuring a variety of pools and interactive attractions. 

Designed by Gensler, the well-known international architectural firm, the resort is expected to break ground in January 2008 and open in early 2010. Other potential resort locations being considered for development include major family-oriented destinations in the US, Caribbean and Mexican resort areas, the UK and Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East. 

JW "Bill" Marriott, Jr, chairman and chief executive officer of Marriott International, said: “When you bring together the premier hospitality company with the number-one TV destination for kids and families, it’s a winning combination for unbeatable resorts.

"Besides being a great new family destination, we believe that ‘Nickelodeon Resorts by Marriott’ will attract younger adults, the young-at-heart, and meeting travelers, especially people who travel on business with their families. As younger boomers and Gen X'ers enter prime child-rearing years, their clear preference for seamlessly mixing business with leisure and family fun will mesh perfectly with the ‘Nickelodeon Resorts by Marriott’ concept," said Marriott.

Cyma Zarghami, president of Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group, said: “This partnership with Marriott to bring the Nickelodeon experience to families all over the world comes at the perfect time, as the first generation of kids who grew up with our brand now have come of age and are having families of their own. Marriott knows hotels and business and leisure travelers, and no one knows kids and families like Nickelodeon.  We know this will be a great combination, and it signals the beginning of a new era for the Nickelodeon brand.”
 
“We are proud to have brought Nickelodeon and Marriott together, and are looking forward to the development of this new hotel concept,” said Eyal Ofer, co-chairman of Miller Global Properties.  “The Marriott and Nickelodeon partnership provides an extremely compelling investment opportunity by pairing the hotel industry leader with the top kids’ entertainment brand.  Together, we will create fantastic destinations that we are confident will be a great economic success.”

“Nickelodeon Resorts by Marriott” will cater to families with children but will also appeal to fun-seeking business groups and individuals, creating a unique marriage of Marriott’s superb hospitality with Nickelodeon’s dynamic and trend-setting entertainment.  Guests will experience Nick-themed resort activities throughout the hotel.  

A signature component to each resort will be a wide variety of attractions ranging from state-of-the-art pools and water features (indoor water parks