WASHINGTON, Sept. 22 / Marriott International, Inc. MAR announced today that SpringHill Suites by Marriott, the company's moderately priced all-suite brand, officially opened its 50th hotel in Gaithersburg, Md. 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.

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.

Stays at SpringHill Suites average one to four nights, and most rates range between $79 and $99 per night. Each SpringHill Suites guest room is up to 25 percent larger than a traditional hotel room and features separate areas for eating/working, sleeping and relaxing. Each suite also includes an in- room mini-refrigerator, microwave and coffee service. The brand also offers a complimentary continental Suite Seasons Breakfast(SM) buffet, weekday USA Today delivery, fax and copy services, same-day dry cleaning, guest laundry facilities, a swimming pool, whirlpool spa and exercise room.

SpringHill Suites by Marriott also participates in the company's award- winning Marriott Rewards® program, the world's largest frequent stay program with 13 million members, offering more than 2,000 participating hotels worldwide. To make reservations and for information, call SpringHill Suites by Marriott toll-free at 888-287-9400, or visit www.springhillsuites.com.

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. MAR is a leading worldwide hospitality company with over 2,000 operating units in the United States and 57 other countries and territories. Marriott Lodging operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Ramada International brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott, Ritz- Carlton and Horizons brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its ExecuStay by Marriott division; and operates conference centers. Other Marriott businesses include senior living communities and services, wholesale food distribution, procurement services and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company LLC. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has approximately 149,000 employees. In fiscal year 1999, Marriott International reported systemwide sales of $17.7 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit the company's web site at www.marriott.com.

SOURCE: Marriott International, Inc.