WASHINGTON, Aug. 11, 2004 - Renaissance Hotels & Resorts, an upscale, full-service brand of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR), today announced the opening of the Renaissance Tampa Hotel International Plaza.  The hotel is situated next to International Plaza and Bay Street, a world-class shopping destination.  The 293-room, eight-story hotel is owned by CNL Hotels & Resorts, Inc., the nation's second largest hotel real estate investment trust, and managed by Renaissance Hotels & Resorts.

Renaissance Tampa International Plaza 4200 Jim Walter Blvd Tampa, FL, 33607

"CNL is pleased to be partnering with Marriott on this premier hotel property, and are particularly excited to welcome the first Renaissance brand into our distinctive portfolio of 130 hotels and resorts," said Thomas J.  Hutchison III, CEO of CNL Hotels & Resorts.  "Our development team worked tirelessly on the unique aspects of this project, which we believe offers something special to the thriving Tampa market."

The Renaissance Tampa Hotel International Plaza incorporates the rich heritage of Tampa's Spanish, Cuban and Italian culture and the Mediterranean-style building is modeled after the spirit and gracious lifestyle of a Costa del Sol mansion in the Spanish Riviera.  A lush, open-air courtyard serves as a centerpiece and a palate of bright, welcoming colors, hand glazed tiles, custom ironwork and Italian crystals are found throughout the hotel.  Located in the lobby is a unique complimentary gourmet Olive Bar, serving various imported olives and olive oils for guests upon arrival.

The hotel's restaurant, Pelagia Trattoria, was created by Italian-born, award-winning Executive Chef Fabrizio Schenardi.  Located on the first floor of the hotel, it features Mediterranean cuisine simply prepared yet dramatically presented.  Menu items include Cinnamon Marinated Quail on a Lentil salad to Pistachio Crusted Rack of Lamb served with grilled Polenta and Dry figs in a Merlot reduction.  An open kitchen will enable diners to interact with the Chef and his staff.

Signature dishes, drinks and amenities offered exclusively at the Renaissance Tampa Hotel International Plaza include the "Tangerini," a cocktail concocted from fresh-squeezed tangerine juice -- provided by a Tampa-based citrus grower -- citrus-infused vodka and a fresh tangerine wedge.

The hotel is located adjacent to International Plaza and Bay Street, a world-class shopping destination with nearly 200 specialty stores and retailers, including Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, BOSS Hugo Boss, Christian Dior and Louis Vuitton, as well as 13 restaurants.  The hotel is also convenient to downtown Tampa, the Westshore business district, and Tampa International Airport, as well as convention facilities, sports venues and family attractions located throughout the Tampa Bay area.

In addition, the hotel offers 12,500 square feet of meeting space that can accommodate a variety of events, from small group meetings and functions to elaborate banquets with seating for 600.  The hotel's La Fuente Courtyard can be used for outdoor receptions and wedding ceremonies for up 215 people.

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE: MAR) is a leading lodging company with nearly 2,800 lodging properties in the United States and 69 other countries and territories.