WASHINGTON, Marriott International, Inc. MAR announced today that SpringHill Suites by Marriott, the company's all-suite brand in the upper moderate tier, officially opened its 100th hotel in Dallas-Addison, Texas. SpringHill Suites has plans to expand by an additional 11 hotels over the next 12 months. Launched in 1998, SpringHill Suites has demonstrated strong performance in that short time and enjoys significant and increasing REVPAR (revenue per available room) premiums. According to a recent Market Metrix customer satisfaction survey, SpringHill Suites was rated best upper mid-priced hotel brand.

"This is a very important milestone for SpringHill Suites, and it demonstrates the brand's continued growth and strong customer preference," said Carol Gilbert, brand vice president for SpringHill Suites.

Continued Gilbert, "SpringHill Suites appeals to both business and leisure travelers seeking spaciousness and functionality, including separate areas for working, relaxing and sleeping, all at a reasonable price. These features position our brand quite well in its segment."

According to D.K. Shifflett & Associates, a hospitality research company, the mid-level segment represents more than 295,000 room nights annually and 34 percent of the U.S. lodging market.

The Dallas-Addison SpringHill Suites is located 15 miles from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and 15 minutes from downtown. It offers convenient access to the Galleria Mall, American Airlines Center and the Addison Conference and Theater Center. The hotel also represents the 62nd Marriott-branded hotel in the Dallas metropolitan area. Marriott International employs nearly 2,400 associates throughout the region, and has four 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 San Diego, Calif., Detriot, Mich., and Cleveland, Ohio.

Planned enhancements for the SpringHill Suites brand include a new guest suite with a contemporary decor scheme, an increased sense of spaciousness, bigger dressing areas, more efficient kitchen space, and improved views of the television from all areas. The enhanced lobby design will have a dual purpose "great room," consisting of a lounge area and breakfast buffet along with thoughtful touches such as a pantry concept for 24/7 food access and a small business library.

Stays at SpringHill Suites average one to four nights, and each SpringHill Suites guestroom is up to 25 percent larger than a traditional hotel room. In addition to stylish studio suites, SpringHill Suites offer complimentary Suite Seasons Breakfast(SM) buffet, business services, free weekday USA Today delivery, same-day dry cleaning, guest laundry facilities, valet service, a swimming pool and whirlpool spa, exercise room and express checkout. Market Express, an express "grab and go" food service, is available at select hotels.

SpringHill Suites by Marriott participates in the company's award-winning Marriott Rewards® program, the world's largest frequent stay program with 18 million members, offering more than 2,300 participating hotels worldwide. To make reservations and for information, call SpringHill Suites by Marriott toll-free at 1-888-287-9400, or visit www.SpringHillSuites.com.

Note: This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities law, including statements concerning future hotel openings and development plans and similar statements concerning anticipated future events and expectations that are not historical facts. The forward-looking statements in this press release are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including the effects of economic conditions, supply and demand changes for hotel rooms, competitive conditions in the lodging industry, relationships with clients and property owners, the impact of government regulations, and the availability of capital to finance growth, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the statements herein.

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. MAR is a leading worldwide hospitality company with nearly 2,600 lodging properties in the United States and 66 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. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., has approximately 129,000 employees, and was ranked as the lodging industry's most admired company and one of the best places to work for by FORTUNE®. For more information or reservations, please visit the web site at www.marriott.com.