WASHINGTON, June 20, 2001- Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) announced today, the opening of its first downtown Fairfield Inn by Marriott hotel. The 15-story, 185-room Fairfield Inn & Suites Downtown Chicago is located at 216 E. Ontario Street, less than three blocks from Michigan Avenue. The property is Fairfield Inn's 465th hotel and operates as a Marriott franchise, owned by Environmental Community Development Co., Inc. of Buffalo Grove, Ill., and managed by First Hospitality Group, Inc. of Des Plaines, Ill.

"The construction of mid-price hotels in urban centers is a growing trend and part of Marriott's development strategy. We have successfully opened many downtown Courtyard and Residence Inn hotels, and we see a great opportunity for the Fairfield Inn brand in downtown locations,'' said Craig Lambert, senior vice president, select service lodging.

The Fairfield Inn & Suites Chicago Downtown offers accessibility to leisure attractions, including the Art Institute of Chicago, Adler Planetarium, Wrigley Field, entertainment and restaurants. The hotel features the brand's traditional complimentary breakfast in addition to services that are unique to the downtown location, such as dinner delivery service from local restaurants. 

In-room amenities include dual-line phones, ergonomic chairs, iron/ironing board, hairdryer, coffee-maker, free local phone calls and cable TV. The hotel also features a meeting room, fax and copy services and valet laundry service.

Marriott has additional mid-price hotel brands in urban locations, including: Residence Inn by Marriott -- Atlanta, London and Denver; TownePlace Suites by Marriott -- Minneapolis; and Courtyard by Marriott -- Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC.  is a leading worldwide hospitality
company with over 2,300 operating units in the United States and 59 other countries and territories.