MARRIOTT TO MANAGE RESORT IN CURAÇAO
SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.
May 20, 1999
Marriott International, Inc., has been named to manage the 248-room former Sonesta Beach Resort and Emerald Casino
in Curaçao, effective June 1, 1999. The resort will be renamed the Curaçao Marriott Resort &
Emerald Casino later this year
following a series of systems upgrades. When reflagged, it will be Marriott's second resort in the Netherlands
Antilles.
Owned by RIF Resort Hotel, N.V., the property opened in 1992 and quickly became one of the leading hotels on Curaçao.
It enjoys a beachfront location on the southwest coast of the island and is easily accessible to downtown Willemstad
and the international airport. Directly across the street from the hotel is Curaçao's International Trade
Center.
"We are very pleased to welcome this beautiful property to our Caribbean lodging portfolio." said Ed
Fuller, president and managing director of Marriott's international operations. "We are confident that the
strength of our global distribution system and Marriott Rewards, our award-winning frequent guest loyalty program,
will help generate a steady flow of tourists to the resort."
The Curaçao Marriott Resort & Emerald Casino will have three full-service restaurants and two bars as
well as a business center, retail shops, health club, tennis courts, parking and a 6,000 square foot casino. For
social events and conferences, the resort features a 3,000 square foot ballroom.
Roberto van Geenen, formerly resident manager of the London Marriott Grosvenor Square Hotel, has been named general
manager of the hotel. Van Geenen joined Marriott in 1986 as chief steward at the London property and, over the
years, held numerous positions of increasing responsibility in the food and beverage area in London as well as
at Marriott's Desert Spring's Resort & Spa in California and the Amsterdam Marriott Hotel.
Marriott International is currently represented in the Caribbean by 9 properties comprising 4,304 guest rooms.
These include the following:
* 413-room Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
* 867-room Nassau Marriott Resort & Crystal Palace Casino
* 395-room Castle Harbour Marriott Resort (Bermuda)
* 525-room San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
* 309-room Grand Cayman Marriott Resort
* 504-room Frenchman's Reef Marriott Beach Resort, St. Thomas
* 293-room Jaragua Renaissance Santo Domingo Resort, Dominican Republic
* 290-room Renaissance Grand Beach Resort, St. Thomas
* 708-room Renaissance Jamaica Grand Resort, Ochos Rios
NOTE: Marriott International, Inc. is a leading worldwide hospitality company with over 1,800 operating units in
the United States and 53 other countries and territories. Marriott's Lodging operates and franchises hotels under
the Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill
Suites, and Ramada International brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership (timeshare) resorts under
the Marriott Vacation Club International brand, and provides furnished corporate housing through its ExecuStay
by Marriott division. Other Marriott businesses include senior living communities and services, wholesale food
distribution, and procurement services. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has approximately
135,000 employees. SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.