Press Release: Marriott International, Inc.
November 4, 1999
WASHINGTON, DC -- TownePlace Suites by Marriott, a moderately priced extended-stay brand with home-like appeal,
will open its doors and hearts with the gift of free suites this holiday season. TownePlace Suites' ``Homes for
the Holidays'' community outreach program runs Nov. 24 through Dec. 30. All 50 TownePlace Suites hotels across
the country will donate five percent of their total suite inventory to local non-profit organizations, selected
by each hotel.
The American Red Cross, American Cancer Society and local hospitals are some of the organizations that TownePlace
Suites will work with to offer ``homes'' to individuals and families with special needs during the holiday season.
TownePlace Suites' ``Homes for the Holidays'' is one of many community outreach initiatives under Marriott International's
``Spirit to Serve Our Communities'' banner.
``'Homes for the Holidays' is a great opportunity for TownePlace Suites to give back to the community,'' said Tim
Sheldon, senior vice president, Marriott extended-stay lodging. ``Helping people in need of a home is a great fit
for TownePlace Suites. Our hotels are specially designed for long-term stays.''
Most TownePlace Suites hotels feature spacious studio, one- and two- bedroom suites with separate living and sleeping
areas and ample work space. Because the average length of a TownePlace Suites stay is two to three weeks, properties
also offer fully equipped kitchens in each suite, housekeeping twice per week, 24-hour staffing, free local phone
calls, separate voice and data lines and personalized voice mail. Guests can enjoy an exercise room, outdoor pool,
guest laundry, on-site faxing and photocopying services.
TownePlace Suites first opened in 1997 in Newport News, Va. The two-year- old brand, which recently celebrated
its 50th opening in Columbia, S.C., is on pace to nearly double in size by year-end 2000.
Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR - news) is a leading worldwide hospitality company with over 1,900 operating
units in the United States and 56 other countries and territories. Marriott 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, Ritz-Carlton and Horizons brands; operates executive apartments and conference centers; 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 140,000 employees. In fiscal year 1998, Marriott International reported
total sales of $8.0 billion.
SOURCE: Marriott International, Inc.