Guests Can Use the Space Like They Do at Home to Work, Relax, Plug-in, Socialize

Dubai - Feb. 16, 2006 - Marriott International, Inc. (MAR:  NYSE) today announced plans for its great room concept --a revolutionary transformation of public space in its Marriott Hotels & Resorts and Renaissance Hotels & Resorts.  The new concept is designed specifically for the 24/7 work patterns of business travelers today, who smoothly transition and mix work, relaxation, socializing and play throughout the day.

"Hotels generally invest a significant amount of money in their lobbies--but the traditional use is very limited, like a formal living room that's no longer popular," said Mike Jannini, executive vice president of brand management, Marriott International.  "With our great room concept, guests can tailor the use of these marvelous spaces to their own needs, just like they do in their own homes.  Last year we launched a guest room that could easily be adapted to individual and unique needs.  Now we are doing the same with our lobbies."

The great room concept knocks down architectural barriers, creating zones.  These adaptable spaces will enable guests to more easily meet and work in small groups, take a private time out, or casually dine in more open spaces with easy access to the latest technologies:

  • The welcome zone will be transformed into more than a place to check-in at the front desk or kiosk, featuring a new approach to local information, personalized concierge services and retail offerings. 

  • The individual zone will be a quiet place to unwind with small, comfortable spaces to read magazines and newspapers, work, surf the net or listen to personal entertainment, as well enjoy a snack.

  • The social zone will enable groups of business travelers to relax in a lounge atmosphere, offering intimate tables-for-two, where guests can converse with a glass of wine or gourmet treat, as well other areas for impromptu meetings or breakout discussions.

  • The business zone will include a multi-functional boardroom complete with audio/visual equipment, a space with state-of-the-art technology for small groups, a revamped business center, and quiet spaces for private conversations. 

To develop the great room concept, Marriott is working with consulting firm IDEO, whose experts literally followed business travelers as they went about their days and conducted interviews to gather information that typical survey research cannot reveal.  They found that today's business travelers use public spaces in vastly different ways than a traditional hotel design encourages.  For instance, many guests participate in "social business"--traveling, working and socializing with a group of colleagues.  In contrast, other individuals are more likely to engage in "relaxing work"--working on their own time and pace, multi-tasking between personal business and work.

The great room concept will be introduced at select Marriott Hotels & Resorts and Renaissance Hotels & Resorts in 2006.

-Ends-

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE:MAR) is a leading lodging company with more than 2,700 lodging properties in the United States and 65 other countries and territories.  Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, Renaissance, Bulgari, The Ritz-Carlton, Courtyard, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites, TownePlace Suites, and Fairfield Inn brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club International, The Ritz-Carlton Club, Grand Residences by Marriott, and Horizons brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; operates conference centers; and manages golf courses.  The company is headquartered in metropolitan Washington, D.C.  It is ranked as the lodging industry's most admired company and one of the best places to work for by Fortune magazine.  In fiscal year 2004, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $10 billion, and the company had approximately 133,000 employees at year-end 2004.  For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com

CONTACT:     
Elizabeth Sen                                                                                                  
Promoseven Weber Shandwick
T: 00 9714 3210077                                                                          
elizabeth.sen@promoseven.com 

Lynette Almeida
Promoseven Weber Shandwick
T: 00 9714 3210077
lynette.almeida@promoseven.com

© Press Release 2006