SAND CITY, CALIFORNIA – January 12, 2026 – The Courtyard by Marriott® Sand City Monterey and Residence Inn by Marriott® Sand City Monterey, part of Marriott Bonvoy's extraordinary portfolio of over 30 hotel brands, today officially opened its doors as the first hotel in Sand City, California. The opening marks a new hospitality anchor within a community known for its thriving creative scene, celebrated driving culture, and locally rooted makers, designers, and innovators. 

Overlooking the scenic white dunes of Sand City Beach, and perched just steps from Sand City's vibrant arts hub, a few miles east of Monterey, the dual-brand property provides flexibility and choices that allow guests to make the most of their travel with both the Courtyard and Residence Inn brand experiences under one roof. Located at 800 Morgans Way in Sand City, the 215-room hotel will operate as a Marriott franchise, brought to life by EKN Development and managed by Aqua-Aston Hospitality. With two distinct offerings, the dual-brand hotel is designed to meet the diverse needs of today's travelers – whether they're seeking a couple's weekend getaway, a bleisure trip, or an extended stay with the comforts of home – all while providing convenient access to Sand City's evolving creative district, where studios, galleries, workshops, and community-driven spaces shape the destination, and renowned Monterey Bay attractions such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Pebble Beach golf courses, and Carmel-by-the-Sea. 

“Sand City has emerged as Monterey County's creative hub – in addition to locals, visitors from all over have taken note and want to be part of the energy,” said Fady Hanna, general manager, Courtyard by Marriott Sand City Monterey and Residence Inn by Marriott Sand City Monterey. “As the destination's first and only hotel, the dual-brand hotel meets the diverse needs of travelers while also championing and providing a platform for Sand City's homegrown creative energy, entrepreneurial spirit, and local culture.”  

Designed as more than a place to stay, the Courtyard Sand City Monterey and Residence Inn Sand City Monterey is envisioned as a destination hotel that supports creative expression, community connection, and locally-inspired experiences. At the center of the property, an open-air piazza features the outdoor Lido Stage, a dedicated venue for live music, cultural programming, and creative performance. Purposefully designed as a community gathering space, the Lido Stage provides a platform for local creatives, performers, and community collaborators to share their work and ideas while creating opportunities for connection and collaboration between residents and visitors. Programming is expected to feature a rotating calendar of local musicians, makers, performers, and community-led gatherings. The dual-brand hotel is further distinguished by a 246-square-foot hot tub and innovative garage-style doors that allow vehicles to drive directly onto the interior courtyard pool deck, offering a distinctive setting for luxury automotive collaborations, curated showcases, and high-profile launch events. 

Connected to the piazza, the Bistro, the hotel's onsite restaurant, will deliver comfort, quality, and a touch of sophistication throughout the guest experience. Guests at both brands will be able to enjoy a cooked-to-order breakfast made each morning with fresh, locally sourced ingredients and handcrafted Starbucks coffee beverages. Additionally, for Residence Inn guests, a complimentary daily breakfast buffet is available. A fresh-to-go market offers wholesome lunches, snacks, and beverages throughout the day. In the evening, the Bistro transitions to a relaxed, wellness-inspired dining experience featuring crisp salads, roasted vegetables, and simply prepared proteins, including seasonal, locally sourced fish. Anchoring the experience, the Bistro bar functions as a welcoming gathering place for both locals and hotel guests — ideal for game day, casual date nights, or meeting up with friends — with a seasonally rotating cocktail program highlighting local ingredients, collaborations with regional spirits producers, and limited-time craft keg beer tap takeovers. 

“EKN Development creates hotels that ignite a unique spark in every location. We build with purpose, design with vision, bring new dimension to the brand experience, and craft places that are specifically tailored to each community,” said Ebbie Nakhjavani, Founder and CEO of EKN Development. “In Sand City, our inspiration came from classic Italian open-air design, with a vibrant piazza and the Lido Stage at its heart. These elements come together to form a dynamic gathering space programmed with ongoing events and activities, including live performances and community-driven programming, for guests and locals to enjoy.” 

Guests staying on property will discover a retreat that blends small-town charm with contemporary design and modern comfort. Oversized rooms, high ceilings, and views of the ocean or pool invite visitors to experience the Monterey Peninsula from a fresh perspective, balancing the ease of a coastal escape with the sophistication of a modern stay. 

As the newest addition to the Courtyard brand, the Courtyard Sand City Monterey continues to innovate the guest experience to meet the changing needs of today's modern traveler. Ideal for short-stay leisure and business travelers alike, the Courtyard Sand City Monterey provides contemporary, beach-inspired design through its 127 guest rooms, each complete with a workstation, free Wi-Fi, and a refreshment center for that perfect blend of relaxation and productivity. 

For extended stays, the Residence Inn Sand City Monterey offers 88 spacious pet-friendly suites with fully-equipped kitchens, providing guests with the comforts of home. The Residence Inn Sand City Monterey accommodations include a complimentary daily hot breakfast, laundry facilities, and inviting social spaces that encourage guests to settle in and stay awhile. As a leader in extended stay with more than 850 hotels in the U.S. and growing internationally, Residence Inn understands the feeling of comfortable living on the road, offering guests inviting and functional public spaces to relax or collaborate.  

Additional hotel amenities shared between the properties include an outdoor swimming pool and an oversized hot tub, a 24/7 fitness center, guest laundry, free Wi-Fi, and more than 8,000 square feet of versatile indoor and outdoor meeting and event space suitable for corporate functions and social gatherings for functions of up to 500 people.  

With environmental stewardship a key priority of the development, the Courtyard Sand City Monterey and Residence Inn Sand City Monterey incorporate a range of high-efficiency and sustainability-driven design features across HVAC, lighting, plumbing, and building systems. Guestrooms and public spaces feature double-pane, insulated, and tinted windows with thermal breaks, as well as high-efficiency HVAC units that comply with California's rigorous environmental regulations. Water-conserving plumbing fixtures and a recirculating hot-water system help reduce waste, while LED lighting with adaptive controls and smart elevator programming further enhance operational efficiency. The hotel's construction prioritized reduced environmental impact through the use of prefabricated wall panels manufactured off-site to minimize material waste and on-site emissions. Additionally, the hotel is home to 14 electric vehicle charging stations, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable travel. 

Marriott® dual-brand hotels are a combination of two powerful and distinct brands from the Marriott portfolio — co-located under one roof and at one address — paired to provide guests with more options and flexibility while preserving the unique guest experience that defines each brand's identity. Courtyard Sand City Monterey and Residence Inn Sand City Monterey participate in Marriott Bonvoy – the award-winning travel program from Marriott International – allowing members to earn and redeem points for their stay at the new hotel, and at other hotels and resorts across Marriott Bonvoy's extraordinary portfolio of brands. With the Marriott Bonvoy app, members enjoy a level of personalization and a contactless experience that allows them to travel with peace of mind.  

For more information about the hotels or for reservations, visit www.Marriott.com or call 1-888-236-2427.  

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About Courtyard by Marriott  

Courtyard by Marriott is the hotel brand of choice for trailblazing guests who are inspired by a passion to do great things. With more than 1,200 locations in 60 countries and territories, Courtyard is passionate about empowering its guests and serving the needs of travelers everywhere, no matter the purpose of their trip. Its thoughtfully designed guestrooms provide an elevated experience to relax and recharge, complete with plush bedding and flexible workspaces. Guests are able to work, eat well, connect, and be at their best to keep moving forward to succeed. Courtyard is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments, and unparalleled benefits, including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.com. For more information or reservations, visit courtyard.marriott.com, become a fan on Facebook, or follow @CourtyardHotels on Twitter. 

About Residence Inn by Marriott®  

Residence Inn by Marriott is the global leader in the longer-stays lodging segment with over 930 properties in more than 25 countries and territories. Guests have the freedom to travel the way they live with Residence Inn's spacious suites featuring distinct living, working, and sleeping spaces. Travelers can maximize their time and thrive while on the road with fully equipped kitchens in each suite, grocery delivery service, 24/7 grab-and-go markets, and complimentary breakfasts. The warm and inviting public spaces feature modern residential design, allowing guests to feel right at home, paired with the added amenities of upscale hotel living. Residence Inn is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments, and unparalleled benefits, including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit marriottbonvoy.com.  For more information or reservations, visit residence-inn.marriott.com.  

About EKN Development 

EKN Development builds from a bold spark of vision inspired by the unique character of each site, transforming instinct into place through the creativity and expertise of its fully integrated team. As a fully unified development company, EKN brings design, planning, construction, and programming together under one roof to ensure every project reflects a cohesive and intentional vision. The company is defined by its commitment to activating spaces, creating destinations that feel purposeful, connected, and alive. Each development is crafted entirely by EKN, reflecting a philosophy rooted in collaboration, creativity, and a deep understanding of how people gather.