US$20M Courtyard by Marriott Hotel opens at Timehri with plans for 75-room extension

…Bassoo Group to build Staybridge Suites Hotel on Heroes’ Highway

…over 100 jobs for residents from surrounding communities

The highly anticipated US$20 million Courtyard by Marriott Hotel at Timehri – the country’s first airport hotel – was commissioned Wednesday, adding 150 rooms to Guyana’s accommodation capacity, with plans already underway for an extension.
Located near the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) at Timehri, the six-storey hotel accommodates a host of modern amenities for which the world-renowned United States-based Marriott brand is known.
Built by Cardinal Investments Inc on 2.5 acres of Government-leased land, it is Guyana’s first major airport hotel, which will target airline crew, diplomats, business travellers and transit guests.

According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cardinal Investments Inc. and Managing Director of the Bassoo Group, Roy Bassoo, there are already plans in place to expand the hotel to meet growing demands.
“With surging demands from airlines and travellers, we anticipate this hotel will be fully booked from its first day,” Bassoo stated, adding, “…so promising is this beginning [that] we are ready to expand… We are in advanced discussions with the Marriott team to add 75 rooms adjacent to this property.”
The businessman explained that in addition to more rooms, the extended building will also house an entertainment complex that will feature fast food restaurants, an Irish pub and rooftop bar, ATMs and potentially, a casino.
The Courtyard by Marriott Hotel was constructed in response to calls from the Dr Irfaan Ali-led Government for the local private sector to capitalise on incentivised investment opportunities to expand the country’s hospitality sector.

New IHG hotel
Even with this brand-new hotel at the CJIA, the Basso Group continues to heed the push for added rooms in the country with the acquisition of another international hotel franchise, this time under the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG).
“The Bassoo Group has secured the franchise for the Staybridge Suites Hotel under the InterContinental Hotels Group.” the local businessman announced on Wednesday.
With the lease for land along the Heroes’ Highway already obtained to build the new 130-room hotel, Bassoo said construction will commence in early 2026.
InterContinental Hotels Group, marketed as IHG Hotels & Resorts, is a British multinational hospitality company with more than 3000 hotel properties around the world, primarily under the Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, and InterContinental brands.
As a renowned local contractor with experience in the education, healthcare and security sectors, Basso has called on other Guyanese investors, both big and small, to follow in his footsteps and seize similar opportunities.
“Never before has it been so promising to do business in Guyana, where your investments are secured and protected,” he declared, while lauding President Ali for his steadfast and visionary leadership that has seen Guyana emerging as one of the world’s ‘hottest investment destinations’.
Meanwhile, President Ali, delivering the feature address during Wednesday’s opening, recognised Bassoo as an ultimate trailblazer in Guyana’s development. He said these investments by the Bassoo Group are reflective of not only the confidence of the local private sector in Guyana’s rapidly growing economy but also his Government’s commitment to creating the environment for domestic companies to thrive.
“The Courtyard by Marriott at Cheddi Jagan International Airport is a majestic structure that attests to the fact that we are doing things better and quicker in this country. But this hotel is more than that. It is a symbol of ambition, a demonstration of confidence, and a cornerstone of the bold future we are building for our people,” he stated.

2000 hotel rooms
According to the Head of State, the hotel is part of a deliberate, strategic plan and is critically linked to many important investments – all aimed at positioning Guyana as a regional hotspot for major events.
“By the end of this year, Guyana will boast more than 2000 world-class hotel rooms. We are not building hotels for the sake of hotels; we are building capacity… We’re lifting standards… We’re making Guyana fit for purpose as a major tourism destination, and we are not talking about tourism in a narrow sense.”
“We’re talking about a sector that can host conferences and conventions, a sector that can attract international events, from business summits to sports and cultural festivals, a sector that welcomes the adventure tourist, the heritage explorer and the eco-traveller… Wherever [these opportunities] are, we’re going to pursue them because we have a responsibility to these investors to invest in an ecosystem that will bring people to take and make use of their service,” the Guyanese leader posted.
The 150-room Courtyard hotel features six executive suites, a modern gym, a bistro restaurant and bar, a banquet hall to fit 200 persons, a pool and an executive conference room.
During the construction phase, more than 50 per cent of the labour was Guyanese, while local building materials were used. Now with its completion, over 300 Guyanese will benefit from direct and indirect job opportunities, including more than 100 individuals from surrounding communities.
Meanwhile, to support youth employment and empowerment, the Bassoo Group has fully funded hotel hospitality internships for 10 high school graduates from both public and private secondary schools. Those students are now full-time employees of this hotel with plans to continue this programme in the future.