WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2005 - Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) today launched a new "lifestyle" concept, Renaissance ClubSport, that combines the boutique-style ambiance of the Renaissance Hotels & Resorts brand with a sleek, 75,000 square foot, upscale membership fitness club.

Marriott International plans to pursue the development of new Renaissance ClubSport locations, and expects to open 15 locations nationwide over the next five to seven years. Each Renaissance ClubSport is anticipated to offer 150 to 250 guest rooms and feature the distinctive decors, imaginative dining and attentive service of the Renaissance® Hotels & Resorts brand, as well as world-class sports and fitness amenities. The company expects that the properties will be managed by Renaissance for other owners.
 

Stephen P. Joyce, executive vice president of North American full service lodging development and owner and franchise services for Marriott, said, "Following the success of the Renaissance ClubSport property in Walnut Creek, California, we have decided to aggressively launch this exciting, fully integrated, lifestyle concept. The Renaissance ClubSport property operating in Walnut Creek generates much higher revenue per available room (RevPAR) than competitive hotels in the same market and has among the highest RevPAR indexes in the lodging industry." The Renaissance ClubSport in Walnut Creek has achieved a RevPAR index of 185 year-to-date through August, which means the property is exceeding competing hotels by 85 percent in revenue per available room in only its third year of operation. While the outstanding sports and fitness amenities are appealing to hotel guests, private

Renaissance ClubSport Walnut Creek Hotel 2805 Jones Road Walnut Creek, California

Marriott International acquired the ClubSport brand name and intellectual property rights from Leisure Sports, Inc., the developer of the ClubSport concept and a privately-held company based in Pleasanton, Calif. Leisure Sports will receive a variable payment based on future property development. Under the agreement, Leisure Sports and its principals will also consult with Renaissance, providing technical, design, operating and marketing services for the club component of each new resort that opens.

Steve Gilmour, president and chief executive officer of Leisure Sports, said, "We are incredibly pleased to be partnering with Marriott International to combine expertise and expand the hotel fitness club concept to multiple locations. This concept has been many years in the making and Renaissance clearly offered the style we were looking for to build the brand. The success of the Walnut Creek property will change the way the hotel industry looks at providing fitness options for travelers, while adding an amenity to the community. We created a superior product -- that's really what it's all about."

Michael E. Jannini, Marriott's executive vice president - brand management, said, "For young, successful travelers and local residents of urban-proximate lifestyle-oriented communities, Renaissance ClubSport has the potential to redefine the idea of the country club for the 21st century. Walnut Creek's high guest satisfaction scores show the strength of the concept."

Hank Biddle, senior vice president - Renaissance Hotels & Resorts, said, "Creating this extension to the Renaissance Hotels & Resorts brand enables us to provide our customers with truly unique experiences. It is a logical next step for a premier brand where individuality and enjoyment are key values expressed by its guests. With Renaissance ClubSport, we are introducing a world-class sports/fitness and lodging concept, offering wellness, entertainment, dining, social interaction and even childcare."

The Walnut Creek Renaissance ClubSport provides guests and members an outstanding sports club, including 12,000 square feet of cardiovascular, circuit and free weight equipment, group exercise studios, an NCAA-regulation gymnasium providing for basketball and volleyball, racquetball and squash courts, and fully appointed locker rooms. An outdoor aquatic area offers three resort-style swimming pools, a whirlpool, bocce courts and garden patio area for special events. Weekly group exercise classes taught by top instructors include step, cycling, yoga, Pilates, tai chi, kickboxing and more. Hotel guests have complimentary access to all of the ClubSport facilities and classes.

A fully equipped Child Care Center offers supervised childcare, fitness and sporting activities, arts and crafts and other educational programs. Also available is a full menu of youth programs, including specialty classes, camps, birthday parties and holiday special events. After indulging in a range of exercise activities, guests can unwind at the R Spa, a 4,000-square- foot full-service day spa and salon. A varied and comprehensive menu of spa services and a boutique-style gift shop are both available.

Hotel guests enjoy richly appointed guest rooms and suites with whimsical bright colors, luxurious amenities and upgraded bedding package that includes down comforters, custom duvets, and cotton-rich linens. Relaxing "spa-style" bathrooms feature oversized bathtubs and upgraded showerheads in each room. Other in-room amenities include two-line speakerphones, a cordless phone, complimentary high-speed internet access, an executive-size work desk, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, and coffee maker. The hotel includes 4,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including a 2,000-square-foot room divisible into three sections.

The club's lobby-level restaurant is the c-blue Wet Bar and Bistro, which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 'c-blue' is a contemporary bistro with an exhibition-kitchen serving signature fusion cuisine. Outdoor patio seating overlooking the pool and lawn area is also available. The c-blue Express offers more casual fare, including health-conscious snacks and takeout foods. In addition, c-blue Wet Bar is a 50-seat lounge featuring numerous TV screens, and serving a full menu. Hotel-style amenities also include a [full- service] business center, dry cleaning and valet service.

The next three Renaissance ClubSport properties under development are in Chandler, Ariz. (Phoenix), Rockville, Md. (Washington), and Aliso Viejo, in Orange County, Calif. Renaissance ClubSports align well with high-end, suburban residential and office locations, but can be adapted to more urban environments as well.

Scott Pickert, former executive vice president of Leisure Sports, has joined Marriott as senior vice president of Renaissance ClubSport, focusing primarily on new development.

Note: This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities laws, including statements concerning the development of new ClubSport locations and the number of ClubSport properties expected to open that are not historical facts. 

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. is a leading lodging company with more than 2,600 lodging properties in the United States and 65 other countries and territories. 

Marriott International, Inc.
http://www.marriott.com