WASHINGTON, March 14, 1998 - Bethesda-based Marriott International (NYSE: MAR) confirmed today that it will take over management of the 1,300- room Sheraton Washington Hotel for its owner the John Hancock Company effective Sunday, March 15 (tomorrow).

It will be Marriott's fifth hotel in the District of Columbia and its largest. Marriott's other DC properties are the
J.W. Marriott Hotel on Pennsylvania Ave., the Marriott at Metro Center, the West End Washington Marriott, and
the Courtyard by Marriott Northwest.

The Sheraton Washington originally opened in 1918 as the Wardman Park Hotel, developed by entrepreneur
Harry Wardman. At the time, it was often referred to as "Wardman's Folly." It became a Sheraton in 1953.

Marriott International, Inc. is a leading worldwide hospitality company, with nearly 4,600 operating units in the
United States and 53 other countries and territories. In fiscal year 1997, Marriott International reported total sales
of $12.0 billion.