R.D. Olson Development Opens $28 Million Courtyard by Marriott Hotel

GOLETA, CA and IRVINE, CA--(Marketwire - Aug 23, 2012) -  R.D. Olson Development and Wynmark Company announce the opening of the 106-room Courtyard by Marriott in Goleta, CA. The $28 million hotel will serve market demand from University of California, Santa Barbara, located one mile south, and meet the needs of local businesses, the region's largest industrial companies and more than 80 local R&D firms. 

"Clearly UCSB is a primary demand generator in Goleta, and the Courtyard concept is ideally suited to serve the many lodging needs emanating from the university community," said Bob Olson, CEO and founder of R.D. Olson Development. "At the same time, business travelers will value the functional design and interactive work areas found in this latest generation of Courtyard by Marriott." 

The 68,000-square-foot Goleta Courtyard by Marriott is located at 401 Storke Road, within one mile of Santa Barbara Airport and the abundant retail services at Camino Real Marketplace. Girsh Park, a 25-acre sports park that attracts 350,000 visitors annually, is adjacent to the hotel.

"The Goleta Courtyard by Marriott is in the perfect location for groups affiliated with the park, especially soccer teams and other team sports," said Olson. "Marriott brands are at the forefront of the lodging industry and have an exceptionally loyal customer following." 

The Mediterranean-style hotel has 106 guest rooms, 50 percent of which have two queen beds to accommodate families. Guest room amenities include Wi-Fi access, flat-screen TVs, microwave ovens and ergonomic workspace areas. The hotel offers 1,300 square feet of meeting space and a contemporary restaurant design, The Bistro, offering quick serve dining in a relaxed environment.

The hotel lobby combines high style with high-tech for maximum functionality. Welcome pedestals replace the traditional front desk to create a more inviting reception for guests. An innovative and interactive GoBoard™ displays news, weather, traffic, local restaurants and other items of interest for guests. Interactive media pods with individually controlled flat-panel TVs offer a pleasing place to work, meet or relax.

The hotel also features a large outdoor pool and spa, a fitness room, a putting green and an inviting outdoor terrace with a fire pit for guest gatherings.

Olson's development strategy is actively meeting the increasing demand for next-generation lodging properties, with the Goleta Courtyard by Marriott marking the firm's fourth hotel opening in 10 months. In November 2011, R.D. Olson Development opened the Courtyard by Marriott in Oceanside, CA. The firm then opened the Residence Inn by Marriott in San Juan Capistrano, CA, the first new hotel built in that market in more than 20 years. In July 2012, Olson also completed a Courtyard by Marriott in Maui, HI. The Irvine, CA-based developer has also started two Orange County, CA hotels.

"We literally just broke ground on a $60 million mixed-use development in Orange County that includes a 149-room Residence Inn by Marriott and a 145-room Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, both of which are the latest generation designs of these concepts to break ground in Southern California," said Olson. The firm also has two Residence Inns in the planning stage.

Gene Fong Associates of Los Angeles was the architect for the Goleta Courtyard by Marriott, while the interior spaces were designed by Kling/Barta Design of Shawnee Mission, KS. Construction was performed by R.D. Olson Construction, the contracting firm founded by Bob Olson in 1979.

About R. D. Olson Development
Based in Irvine, CA, R.D. Olson Development is engaged in the development and repositioning of commercial properties nationwide. A specialist in developing hospitality properties, the firm is also experienced in the development of office, retail, multifamily and recreational projects. Robert "Bob" Olson founded R.D. Olson Development in 1997 following nearly 20 years as founder and CEO of R.D. Olson Construction. Notable R.D. Olson Development projects include the Marriott Renaissance ClubSport in Aliso Viejo, CA, Residence Inns in Burbank, CA and Irvine, CA, and the latest prototype designs of Courtyard by Marriott in Oceanside, CA and Maui, HI. www.rdodevelopment.com

About Wynmark Company
Wynmark Company is a Santa Barbara, CA-based planning and development company that is dedicated to undertaking unique projects that meet the needs of the local community. Since its inception in 1993, Wynmark has planned, permitted and built a diverse portfolio of projects in the Santa Barbara area and beyond, including a 500,000-square-foot regional shopping center, an 80,000-square-foot office building, a 369-unit senior living campus, a high-end residential development and a 25-acre community park.