Marriott International is finalizing a green prototype for its Courtyard brand and intends to have similar designs for most of its brands next year.

The prototypes will be certified according to the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system.

The first LEED-certified Marriott prototype will be available in April 2010. The company expects to introduce similar prototypes for Fairfield Inn, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites and TownePlace Suites next year.

Without prototypes, hotels have to go through the process of getting LEED certification on their own, noted Marriott President Arne Sorenson.

The company said the green prototypes would save hotel owners approximately $100,000 and six months in design time, and that green practices would reduce a hotel’s energy and water consumption by up to 25%, based on national averages.

These savings, combined with tax breaks and other incentives offered in many jurisdictions, could enable hotel owners to recoup their LEED investment in about two years, Marriott said.