ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. and SPRINGFIELD, Mo.--Springfield, Mo.-based John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc. JQH announced that following a $6 million renovation, the Crowne Plaza Pyramid in Albuquerque, N.M., was officially re-branded as the Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North. Located at 5151 San Francisco Road, N.E., the property is owned and managed by John Q. Hammons Hotels, the nation's leading independent builder, developer, owner and manager of upscale full-service hotels, resorts and suites.

Ideally situated minutes from Albuquerque International Airport, the new Marriott is part of the Journal Center, the city's newest high-tech industrial and business complex. Conveniently located near many area companies, including General Mills, Honeywell and Intel, guests of the hotel also can take advantage of golf, skiing and tennis facilities nearby. Area attractions include the Sandia Peak Ski Area and Tramway, Historic Old Town, and the Rio Grande Zoo, Aquarium and Botanic Center.

"John Q. Hammons Hotels' investment and conversion of this conveniently located Albuquerque property represents our commitment to exceeding each guest's expectations," said Mark Gundlach, general manager of the Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North. "The Marriott brand stands for first-class service and standards and the re-branding of this property elevates its status in the minds of both business and leisure travelers."

The Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North offers 27,000 square feet of meeting space. For large-scale functions, the hotel features a 12,000-square-foot ballroom, ideal for banquets and corporate or social events. The Pyramid Ballroom boasts 17-foot ceilings and up to 16 breakout capabilities. Comprehensive audiovisual services and a fully equipped business center are also available to meet guests' needs. The 10-story hotel features 310 guest rooms, including 58 suites. Guest rooms are handsomely appointed and feature the Marriott Bed package. Other amenities include high-speed internet access, two-line telephones, voice mail and data ports, cable television with pay-per-view movies, in-room coffee and tea service, hair dryer, iron and ironing board.

The property also offers a concierge level with upgraded amenities, bathrobes and a concierge lounge serving daily continental breakfast and cocktails.

The hotel's fine dining restaurant, Sandia Grill, features contemporary southwestern cuisine, including steaks, seafood, chicken and pastas. Guests also may enjoy casual dining in the atrium at the Red Sky Cafe, offering a light fare menu with daily breakfast and lunch buffet. At the High Desert Lounge, guests may relax and enjoy a beverage next to the hotel's 50-foot cascading waterfall. A southwestern light fare menu also is available. Additional hotel amenities include a fitness center, jogging path, indoor/outdoor heated pool, whirlpool and sauna, gift shop, room service, laundry and complimentary parking.

Making a Reservation

For more information or reservations, contact the Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North hotel at (505) 821-3333, call the Marriott Worldwide Reservations Center at (800) 228-9290, or visit the Marriott web site at www.marriott.com. Marriott Hotels, Resorts and Suites properties participate in the company's award-winning Marriott Rewards® frequent guest program. Members earn their choice of points toward free vacations or frequent flyer mileage for dollars spent at nearly 2,300 Marriott hotels worldwide.

About John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc. - Publicly traded on the American Stock Exchange JQH, Springfield, Mo.-based John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc. is the nation's leading independent builder, developer, owner and manager of upscale full-service hotels, resorts and suites including: Embassy Suites Hotels, Renaissance, Marriott, Radisson, Crowne Plaza, Residence Inn, Homewood Suites, Holiday Inn and Hampton Inn & Suites brands. With 56 hotels strategically located near demand generators, such as state capitals, universities, airports, corporate headquarters or office parks in secondary and tertiary markets, John Q. Hammons Hotels' properties are dominant in their markets. The company's focus is capitalizing on positive operating fundamentals in the upscale, full-service sector, converting existing hotels to franchise brands and selling mature assets, while reinvesting the proceeds and reducing debt.

For more information about John Q. Hammons Hotels, please visit the company's Web site at .

About Marriott International, Inc. - MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. MAR, a leading worldwide hospitality company celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2002, has over 2,600 operating units in the United States and 65 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Ramada International brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club International, Horizons, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Marriott Grand Residence Club brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. Other Marriott businesses include senior living communities and services, and wholesale food distribution. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has approximately 144,000 employees. In fiscal year 2001, Marriott International reported systemwide sales of $20 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit the web site at www.marriott.com.

Matt Averitt
972/628-7761
John Q. Hammons