Source: Marriott.com and hospitality industry, November 2010

Frequent travelers give Marriott Rewards top honors at the first annual Frequent Travel Awards, sponsored by the Frequent Travel Educational Association.  Ed French, senior vice president for Marriott Rewards was quoted as saying, “Marriott Rewards is designed for our guests so there is no bigger honor than to be recognized by our members as the best in the business…we are constantly striving for ways to make our program better for our members.  This year we have added new brands where members can earn and redeem points, elite night rollover and instant redemptions allowing members to redeem points for virtually anything on their folio at any point during their hotel stay.”

Marriott Rewards won 11 of the 15 hotel loyalty program awards, including Program of the Year for the America, Europe and African guest hotel/resorts.  Frequent guests point to Marriott Reward exciting features such as:

> Program of the year – Americas
> Program of the year – Europe/Africa
> Best Redemption Promotion – Americas
> Best Redemption Promotion – Europe/Africa
> Best Redemption Promotion – Middle East/Asia
> Best Redemption Ability – Americas
> Best Redemption Ability – Europe/Africa
> Best Redemption Ability – Middle East /Asia
> Best Earning Promotion – Americas
> Best Earning Promotion – Europe/Africa
> Best Earning Promotion – Middle East/Asia

The Frequent Traveler Awards represent excellence in frequent travel programs worldwide, rating the best frequent flyer and frequent guest programs by evaluating select programs in one of three global regions; Americas, Europe/Africa, and the Middle East/Asia and Oceania, and consider airline and hotel programs in relation to the Hotel or Resort destination.

Information provided by the AP, November 18^th, 2010

Marriott International has recently announced that it expects to expand its portfolio from the current 11 to 100 hotels in India within the next five years across seven leading brands.  In addition to the introduction of its Ritz-Carlton brand, Marriott expansion plans will include the debut of its moderate-tier Fairfield by Marriott brand.

The seven agreements announced are for five moderate-priced Courtyard properties, an upscale Marriott hotel and a life-style Renaissance property.  Some of the planned properties include:

> 100-plus room Courtyard by Marriott Kochi/Cochin International Airport. It is owned by Lulu Flight Kitchen Private Ltd. and is planned to open in 2012.

> 100-plus room Courtyard by Marriott Bhopal. It is owned by DB Malls Private Ltd. and is planned to open in the first half of 2012

> 150-plus room Courtyard by Marriott Chembur; owned by Acron Hotels Private Ltd. The hotel’s first phase is scheduled to open in 2013 with an additional 75ish rooms expected to be added

> 150-room Courtyard by Marriott Nashik; owned by Wasan Hotels Private Ltd.; the hotel is expected to open in 2013

> 200-room Courtyard by Marriott Hyderabad Hitec City. It is owned by Future InfraIndia Private Ltd. and is scheduled to open in 2013

> 365-room Jaipur Marriott Hotel; owned by Serveall Land Developers Private Ltd. and is expected to open in 2011

> 150-room Renaissance Raipur Hotel, opening in 2013 and owned by Krish Hotels Private Ltd

Marriott International has operated in India since 1999 with the opening of the Goa Marriott. Today the company is represented in the country by its JW Marriott, Marriott, Renaissance, Courtyard by Marriott and Marriott Executive Apartments brands. Another 23 of its hotels are currently under construction and expected to open now through 2013.

Located between CityCenter and Bellagio, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas hotel and resort’s multi-tower design features 2,995 guest rooms and residential-style living spaces, all of which were designed around spectacular views and luxurious resort amenities, including a 100,000-square-foot casino, eclectic boutiques, Sahra Spa & Hammam, three pools, multi-level nightclubs, state-of-the-art convention space and seven restaurants.

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, opening December 15, 2010, has entered into a distribution agreement with the Autograph Collection, Marriott International, Inc.’s portfolio of luxury independent hotels and resorts. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, a design-focused independent luxury brand, will be the Autograph Collection’s first member resort in the city.

Marriott International, Inc. is a leading lodging company with more than 3,400 properties in 70 countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Bulgari, the Autograph Collection, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, and SpringHill Suites brand names

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas will introduce a new category in the Autograph Collection and will be the brand’s largest property and its first casino resort. With an innovative perspective on luxury, this Las Vegas Strip resort will join other Marriott brands, such as The Ritz-Carlton and EDITION, Marriott’s new lifestyle brand developed with Ian Schrager.