The Hospitality City Welcomes a New Marriott Hotel

Talk of the Town - March 2024

A Picayune developer plans to build a 110-room Marriott-branded hotel on Highway 90, adding to the list of commercial projects coming to Waveland.

- by Lisa Monti

Architect's drawing of the dual-branded Marriott hotel planned for Highway 90 near Walmart.

A Picayune developer plans to build a $16 million hotel on U.S. 90 that will boost Waveland’s long-standing reputation as the Hospitality City. It will be the first hotel development in about 20 years for the city and is the latest in a string of commercial projects recently announced or are underway, said Mayor Jay Trapani.

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Nikhil Ajmera of Waveland Hospitality LLC chose a three-acre site just west of Walmart to build the four-story hotel with at least 110 rooms. It will pair two of Marriott International’s brands under one roof, giving travelers and visitors more options. Fairfield is designed mainly for short stays by leisure travelers, and TownePlace Suites suits those who need longer-term accommodations. Each brand will have 55 rooms.

 
Ajmera, who developed the Holiday Inn Express in Picayune, said the Waveland Marriott is a new concept that works for different kinds of customer bases. He said the suites, equipped with kitchenettes, will be an option for people who are in the area for long stays or those who need a place to stay while they are looking for permanent housing, remodeling, or building a home.
 
Customers can expect quality customer service and a variety of amenities during their stay, Ajmera said. “We are planning a very nice pool area, a dining area for continental breakfast service, a small bar for evening time, a convenience store that will sell basic items, a small gym and laundry facilities,” he said. The property will employ approximately 24 to 30 employees. Ajmera said construction could begin this summer and will take 18 to 24 months to complete.
 

 
Trapani said the hotel development came together as a joint effort by the city, the Hancock County Board of Supervisors, and the Port and Harbor Commission, along with Ajmera.
 
“They were all very helpful and made it easy for me to make a decision to bring the hotel to Waveland,” said Ajmera, who had been looking for a location to build in and around Hancock County.
 
Scotty Adam, President of the Board of Supervisors, said, “Hancock County welcomes this new investment to our main retail corridor, and we hope this project will serve as a foundation to the redevelopment of commercial properties along Highway 90.”
 
Blaine Lafontaine, Port & Harbor Executive Director, said, “We are proud to support this project announced for the City of Waveland.”
 
Trapani predicts the Marriott will be “a catalyst that jumpstarts future growth along the west end of Highway 90.”
 
Waveland will soon be home to Harbor Freight, Express Oil Change, McAlister’s Deli and an Asian restaurant, all along U.S. 90. Trapani said Harbor Freight is scheduled to open next month, and construction on Express Oil Change should begin soon. A schedule for McAlister’s opening isn’t known at this time but it is “still coming,” Trapani said. “And there are more coming down the road. It’s a very exciting time.”

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