Manama Hotels Participate in Earth Hour

BAHRAIN--(Marketwired - Apr 17, 2013) - April kicks off Environmental Awareness Month at Marriott, and to get into the spirit, properties around the globe participated in Earth Hour 2013. On the evening of March 23^rd, the Residence Inn Manama Juffair and Marriott Executive Apartments Manama, Bahrain hotel joined millions around the world as they turned off non-essential lights for 60 minutes.

Guests, friends and associates of the two Manama hotels participated and together helped save 20 kilowatts of energy, according to Saeed Qureshi, chief engineer of Marriott Executive Apartments Manama. "Earth Hour is important because it gives a voice to the large number of people who are concerned about the climate changes," he says.

The hotels near Bahrain International Circuit made the most of the hour, offering a candle-lit dinner in the Skywalk Café. While Earth Hour is an annual event, the properties are taking steps to honor the efforts behind it year round, Qureshi says. The hotels recycle used oil, have green roof concepts, installed timers in all balcony lights (lights are turned off from midnight to 6am every day), planted trees, installed timers in guest corridor lights and replaced regular lamps with energy-saving versions.

"By using these energy-saving lamps, we can save more than a thousand kilowatts a day," Sam Van Campenhout, General Manager of these Bahrain hotel suites, says. "It's not a matter of how many dollars you can save, but what you can do to make the Earth a more comfortable place to live for our next generation."

Environmental Awareness Month was created to celebrate and share Marriott's commitment to the environment through its operations, help raise awareness and get the community -- from associates to guests -- involved. "This is a great opportunity for Marriott hotels and business units to demonstrate our environmental commitment to associates, guests, owners, franchisees and communities worldwide," Bill Marriott, chairman of Marriott International, says.

About Residence Inn Manama Juffair
Whether in town for few days, a few weeks or a few months, the Residence Inn Manama Juffair is the perfect place to call home. Set in Al Fateh/Juffair, this extended-stay hotel caters to business and leisure visitors alike with spacious accommodations and location close to Bahrain International Airport. Guests can choose from studio and one-, two- or three-bedroom suites. Each offers separate areas for living and sleeping, and a full kitchen equipped with a dishwasher, microwave and refrigerator. Other features include a marble bathroom, at least one LCD TV, plush beds with pillow-top mattresses, large desk and complimentary Wi-Fi. Mornings offer a complimentary daily hot breakfast buffet. To relax both the mind and body, head to the outdoor heated pool or fitness center. The friendly, professional staff is on hand to arrange complimentary grocery-shopping service, recommend top vendors at the Manama and Gold souqs, and help plan a day exploring Al Fateh Grand Mosque, Bahrain National Museum, Al Areen Wild Life Park, Barbar Temple and A'ali Pottery Village. Meet with clients or colleagues in this hotel's meeting room.