The 162-suite Gaithersburg SpringHill Suites by Marriott is managed by Marriott International and owned by affiliates of CNL Hospitality Corp., based in Orlando, Fla.  The hotel is one of the first newly constructed SpringHill Suites.

The Gaithersburg property is testing several brand enhancements that, upon guest recommendation, will be implemented in future hotels.  The new breakfast room includes bar-style seating with data/internet outlets, and the business library offers flexible space for guests to work or relax in comfortable seating.

SpringHill Suites was launched in 1998 and has over 60 new properties in the development pipeline.  The brand will more than double in size by 2003.

�With high occupancies and guest satisfaction scores reaching 90 percent, SpringHill Suites is becoming a market leader.  It offers guests well-planned space, thoughtful product features and responsive service touches,� says J.W.  Marriott, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer, Marriott International.
The Gaithersburg SpringHill Suites represents the 59th Marriott-branded hotel in the Washington metropolitan area across nine brands.  The company employs more than 14,000 associates throughout the region, and has 23 additional hotels under construction or development.

SpringHill Suites hotels are currently open in key markets such as Washington, D.C.; Atlanta, Ga.; Chicago, Ill.; Minneapolis, Minn.; and Dallas, Texas; and in destination locations like Charleston, S.C.; Orlando, Fla.; Phoenix, Ariz.; and Anchorage, Alaska.  SpringHill Suites under construction or in advanced stages of development include locations such as greater New York City; Boston, Mass.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Austin, Texas; Richmond, Va.; and Seattle, Wash.

SpringHill Suites is well positioned in the moderate tier, which represents more than 300,000 room nights annually and 37 percent of the U.S.  lodging market.  Brand research shows that 50 percent of SpringHill Suites guests are business travelers, while 50 percent are leisure travelers.