December 19. 2011 - Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) announced today the development of the 198-room Courtyard by Marriott Setif, Algeria, under management agreement with ownership group Prom-Bati SPA (president is Mr. Rachid Khenfri). The hotel will be part of the Park Mall mixed use development, located in the heart of Setif, a prosperous and diverse city in central Algeria, about 100 kms/62 miles from the Mediterranean coast and 482 kms/300 miles southeast of the capital Algiers.  The Courtyard by Marriott Setif and the Courtyard by Marriott Algiers, announced previously, will both open in 2014.

“We chose Marriott International for its expertise as an operator of hotels around the world and for the strength of its brands,” said Rachid Khenfri, president of Prom-Bati SPA.  “We liked the Courtyard brand in particular for this location because of its modern look and feel, its understanding of the business traveler, and its comfortable and efficient accommodations.”

“We are thrilled by the continued expansion in Algeria and are excited that when this hotel opens in Setif, we will be represented in the country with six hotels and five brands,” said Ed Fuller, president & managing director of International Lodging for Marriott International.  Marriott International’s first hotel in Algeria, the Renaissance Tlemcen, opened in 2011, and in 2014 the company will open four others in one complex – the Algiers Marriott, Algiers Marriott Executive Apartments, Courtyard by Marriott Algiers and Residence Inn by Marriott Algiers – followed by the Courtyard by Marriott Setif.

The 198-room Courtyard by Marriott will offer the brand’s signature “refreshing business” lobby, featuring bright contemporary design, innovative technology and flexible space.  The redefined area allows guests more control and choice over their stay, with services and amenities that create a healthy balance between working and relaxing.   The hotel will also have a casual restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a lobby lounge.  On the third floor will be 6,896 square feet of flexible meeting space.  Other guest amenities will include a prayer room, fitness center and pool, business center, room service and gift shop.

Each guest room, including 109 standard rooms, 37 larger rooms and 52 suites and junior suites, will be equipped with flat-panel televisions, complimentary Wi-Fi access and a functional work area with a multi-level desk that gives guests the space to spread out and work however they choose.  The centerpiece of the living area is a stylish and modern loveseat sofa that also doubles as a pullout bed.

Algeria is the largest country on the Mediterranean Sea and the 11th largest country in the world in terms of land area, with a population of approximately 34.9 million.

Setif is an agricultural as well as an industrial center and is also home to the fifth largest University of Setif, with 56,000 students.  In addition to the Courtyard hotel, the Park Mall complex will include a shopping mall, an office tower, residential apartments and underground parking facilities.

Although 80 percent of visitors to Setif are business travelers, the city has some important cultural attractions, such as the archeological museum and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Djemila.  Located 50 km/31 miles from Setif, it is considered one of the world’s most beautiful Roman ruins and the site of the ancient Roman colony founded during the reign of Nerva (96 – 98 A.D.)

Marriott is represented in the Middle East and Africa with 37 hotels in 11 countries, including eight operating in Northern Africa -- in Algeria and Egypt.  Anther 11 hotels are under construction in Northern Africa – in Algeria, Egypt and Morocco.

Courtyard by Marriott offers a refreshing environment that helps guests stay connected, productive and balanced.  Intuitive services and design accommodate guests’ needs for choice and control.  With more than 900 locations in 35 countries, Courtyard by Marriott hotels participate in the award winning Marriott Rewards frequent travel program that allows members to earn hotel points or airline miles for every dollar spent during each stay.  For more information go to www.courtyard.com.

Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

Note on forward-looking statements: This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of federal securities laws, including statements concerning the number of lodging properties we expect to add in the future, the locations of those properties, the year in which particular properties will open, and similar statements concerning anticipated future events and expectations that are not historical facts. We caution you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including those we identify below and other risk factors that we identify in Marriott International, Inc.’s most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q. These risks include changes in market conditions; the continuation and pace of the economic recovery; supply and demand changes for hotel rooms; competitive conditions in the lodging industry; relationships with clients and property owners; and the availability of capital to finance hotel growth and refurbishment. Any of these factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations we express or imply in this press release. We make these forward-looking statements as of the date of this press release, and undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.