Photo: JW Marriott Hanoi

Marriott picks up 30 of the most prestigious hotel brands with acquisition.

Marriott International announced on September 30 it was expanding into 30 of the most desirable and prestigious hotel brands with the addition of the Starwood Hotels & Resorts portfolio.

The resulting new company will operate or franchise more than 5,700 properties and 1.1 million rooms, representing 30 leading brands from the moderate-tier to luxury in over 110 countries. With the completion of this acquisition, Marriott’s distribution has more than doubled in Asia and the Middle East and Africa combined.

“Throughout our nearly 90-year history we have never stopped searching for innovative ways to serve our guests,” said Mr. J.W. Marriott Jr., Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board of Marriott International. “With the addition of Starwood’s strong brands, great properties, and talented people, we have dramatically expanded our ability to provide the best experiences to our customers.”

“We also welcome the tremendous responsibility as the world’s largest hotel company to be a good global steward, providing new opportunities for our associates and building the economic strength of the communities we call home.”

Members of Marriott’s leading loyalty programs, Marriott Rewards - which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards - and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) are also invited to link their accounts at members.marriott.com to enjoy the benefits, recognition and experiences each program has to offer.

Members will have their status matched across programs and be able to transfer and redeem points across programs for travel to more destinations than ever before.

“We believe that Marriott now has the world’s best portfolio of hotel brands, the most comprehensive global footprint, and the most extensive loyalty programs, providing an unparalleled guest experience,” said Mr. Arne Sorenson, President and CEO of Marriott International. “Combining Starwood’s brands with ours better enables Marriott to reach its goal of having the right brand in the right place to serve our loyal guests and welcome new ones.”

“We can now provide a better range of choices for our guests, more opportunities for our associates, and greater financial benefits for our owners, franchisees, and shareholders.”

Members who link their accounts will be able to transfer points at a three-to-one ratio (three Marriott Rewards points equals one SPG Starpoint) between the programs for redemption stays or on the Marriott Rewards Experiences Marketplace or SPG’s Moments platform.

Marriott International is the world’s largest hotel company and based in Bethesda, Maryland, in the US, with more than 5,700 properties in over 110 countries. It operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts.

The company’s 30 leading brands include: Bulgari Hotels and Resorts®, The Ritz-Carlton® and The Ritz-Carlton Reserve®, St. Regis®, W®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, The Luxury Collection®, Marriott Hotels®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Renaissance® Hotels, Sheraton®, Delta Hotels by Marriott^SM, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Tribute Portfolio™, Design Hotels™, Gaylord Hotels®, Courtyard®, Four Points® by Sheraton, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, Residence Inn®, TownePlace Suites®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Aloft®, Element®, Moxy Hotels®, and Protea Hotels by Marriott®.

• Mr. Scott Hodgetts, General Manager of Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers, greets customers and guests at a cocktail reception to celebrate Marriott International’s successful acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., bringing together 30 leading brands to ensure Marriott will have the right brand in the right place to serve guests wherever they travel.

• Mr. Ty Collins, General Manager of JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay, celebrates Marriott International’s successful acquisition with associates.

• Sheraton Hanoi provides guests with special amenity items in celebration of the successful acquisition. The new company will operate or franchise more than 5,700 properties and 1.1 million rooms, representing 30 leading brands from the moderate-tier to luxury in over 110 countries.

• Mr. Justin Malcolm, General Manager of Le Meridien Saigon Hotel, celebrates the acquisition with distinguished guests on September 26.

• Ms. Catherine Racsko, General Manager of Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa, and hotel managers share information with guests about Marritott’s successful acquisition of Starwood at Altitude, Level 28.

• Mr. Mark Van Der Wielen, General Manager of the JW Marriott Hanoi, greets customers and guests at a cocktail reception to celebrate the acquisition.

• Mr. Blair Fowler, General Manager of Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon and Executive Committee Member, greets customers and guests at a cocktail reception to celebrate the acquisition.

• Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon associates celebrate the acquisition.