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WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 1999 - Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR)
announced today that SpringHill Suites, the company�s new moderately priced
all-suite brand for business and leisure travelers, marks its one-year
anniversary with a total of 32 hotels and nearly 60 additional properties
in the development pipeline. On average, SpringHill Suites will open
a new hotel every other week through year-end 2000. The brand has also
posted year-to-date occupancy rates of approximately 72 percent (based
on results at properties open for at least 12 months).
�There is solid customer demand for all-suite hotels and SpringHill Suites has exceptional growth potential,� said J.W. Marriott, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer, Marriott International. �With high occupancies and guest satisfaction scores reaching 90 percent, the brand is becoming a market leader. It also offers the guest well-planned space, thoughtful product features and responsive service touches.� SpringHill Suites hotels are currently in or plan to be in key markets such as Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Ga., Chicago, Ill., Philadelphia, Pa. and Montreal and destination locations in Charleston, S.C., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Pinehurst, N.C., Savannah, Ga., Orlando, Fla., Phoenix, Ariz. and Anchorage, Alaska. Approximately 80 percent of SpringHill Suites hotels will be operated under franchise agreements with the remainder managed by Marriott. �We are extremely pleased with the SpringHill Suites by Marriott product,� said Gene Carter, president and chief executive officer, Western International, which currently owns two SpringHill Suites with four under development. �It promises to be a big winner for owners as well as guests�a great buy�a suite for the price of a room.� 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 also shows that SpringHill Suites guests are 60 percent male and 40 percent female and take an average of 14 trips per year. SpringHill Suites is especially appealing to women business travelers and families due to the combination of increased space, functionality and unexpected value. Future brand enhancements include self-serve business services such as copying, printing and faxing; a �Suite Convenience� sundry area featuring frozen and refrigerated items; a new healthy continental breakfast program offering seasonal breads, fruits, coffees and oatmeal toppings and a complimentary arrival snack for guests. Stays at SpringHill Suites average one to four nights, and most rates range between $79 and $99 per night. The suites, which are up to 25 percent larger than traditional hotel rooms, feature separate working, sleeping and eating areas and include a pantry area with personal size refrigerator, microwave and sink. The brand also offers travelers a complimentary continental breakfast, weekday USA Today delivery, fax, printing and copy services, same-day dry cleaning, free local phone calls, voice mail, data ports, a swimming pool, whirlpool spa and exercise room. MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE: MAR) is a leading worldwide hospitality company with over 1,900 operating units in the United States and 56 other countries and territories. |
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