Marriott Goes Digital
Brands Expect All Hotels in the U.S. and Canada to be Equipped Within Three Years
WASHINGTON, DC, March 5, 2007. Marriott Hotels & Resorts, JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, and Renaissance Hotels & Resorts will become the first lodging brands to offer high-definition, LCD televisions with a digital connectivity panel in all its guest rooms in the U.S. and Canada. Using the new plug-in panel, guests can connect a host of digital devices to view on the flat panel, high-definition screen, including laptops, camcorders, digital cameras, video games and more. The standard 32 inch televisions are also equipped with a 25-watt stereo speaker system so guests can listen to the tunes on their MP3 players and iPods; no headphones required.
'Today's hotel guests typically travel with many digital devices, not just a laptop, so providing more than high-speed Internet access and WiFi is a must,' said Bob McCarthy, president, North American lodging operations and global brand management, Marriott International. 'When we test marketed the HDTV and connectivity panel among guests, the response was overwhelming. This type of in-room technology was critical to them.'
The new HDTV and connectivity panel can multi-task so business travelers can be more productive on the road. For example, the screen can be split so guests can watch TV while checking e-mail or researching on the Internet. Or, they can relieve stress playing a video game while listening to an iPod at the same time. With the new HDTV, the number of television channels is also increasing from the current base of 28 to as many as 64 stations in the U.S. and Canada. These include the popular NFL Network and the Science Channel, as well as great family choices, such as Disney, HBO Kids and the Cartoon Network.
By the end of 2007, Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) expects to have the new technology installed in 25 percent of its JW Marriott, Marriott and Renaissance guest rooms in the U.S. and Canada, totaling nearly 40,000 rooms. The rollout should be completed by the end of 2009. This week, the San Francisco Marriott Moscone Center became the latest to offer the new technology in all its guest rooms. Installation should be completed this year at high-profile hotels, including the New York Marriott Marquis; the Renaissance New York Hotel Times Square; the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.; the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center; the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa, Phoenix; the Camelback Inn, a JW Marriott Resort & Spa, Scottsdale; the Renaissance Pere Marquette Hotel in New Orleans; and the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
