Marriott International and Galaxy Entertainment Group Announce the Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott Hotels in Macau

HONG KONG, April 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) and Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) today announced they have signed long-term management agreements for more than 1,300 rooms, suites and floating villas at two landmark luxury hotels operated by Marriott International brands to anchor the second phase of the Galaxy Macau™: The Ritz-Carlton, Macau and the JW Marriott Hotel Macau.

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The two hotels are expected to be Marriott International's first in Macau. The company expects to open a hotel a month in China over the next three years.  At the end of the first quarter, Marriott's pipeline of hotels either under or approved for construction in China was 54 hotels and 17,000 rooms.

Galaxy Macau has established itself as the key leisure and resort destination in Macau offering three world-class hotels and more than 55 restaurants, cafes, bars and lounges in Phase 1 of their Macau development. The addition of the first all-suite Ritz-Carlton hotel and what will be the world's largest JW Marriott hotel when it opens in Phase 2 of Galaxy Macau will establish a strong presence for Marriott International in this key destination.

"We are very excited to be launching our brands in Macau," said Simon Cooper, president and managing director Marriott International, Asia. "Macau is a compelling and dynamic market and we have invested a great deal of time identifying the right partner and property for The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott hotels. GEG and the Lui family are bold innovators who understand the market and their customers intrinsically; for us they are the perfect partners.

"We fully subscribe to GEG's 'World Class, Asian Heart' philosophy which resonates with Marriott International's core values and The Ritz-Carlton hallmark Gold Standards. China is our second largest market outside North America and opening two of our premier brands on the same site in such a fast growing market is a major commitment, underscoring our confidence in both Macau and Galaxy."

"To complement Phase 1's exceptional hotel offering we are extremely pleased to be introducing Marriott International's globally recognised luxury hotel brands including the first ever all-suite The Ritz-Carlton and the world's largest JW Marriott upon completion in 2015," said Dr. Che-woo Lui, Chairman of GEG. "Marriott International's core values and The Ritz-Carlton hallmark Gold Standards underpinned by a strong understanding of Asian customers' tastes and preferences complements Galaxy's 'World Class, Asian Heart' service philosophy."

The Ritz-Carlton, Macau will feature 250 one- and two-bedroom suites, including the stylish The Ritz-Carlton suite. Designed in a traditional Ritz-Carlton style, the hotel will be sought out by those who value luxury and innovation combined with incomparable levels of privacy and intimacy. The hotel will offer the impeccable levels of service for which the brand is famous around the world, and will be located on the top floors of the Galaxy Macau.

The hotel's restaurants will include a lavish all-private-dining Chinese restaurant, the lobby lounge and bar, a pool bar and the Ritz Bar with spectacular views over the Cotai skyline.

The hotel will also feature an outdoor rooftop pool with Jacuzzi and eight private cabanas. Guests will be truly able to get away from it all in a luxuriously stylish setting with the emphasis on relaxation and privacy. An exceptional spa will offer the very best in massage therapy in a stylishly designed setting.

The JW Marriott Hotel Macau will feature nearly 1,100 rooms and suites, including the stunning Presidential Suite. The hotel's signature restaurant will be Chinese and feature a selection of private dining rooms for guests to choose from. In addition, the hotel will also offer a stylish three-meal restaurant, with guests having direct access to the wide variety of restaurants in the Galaxy Macau development.

A stunning pool will allow guests to relax in a tranquil and peaceful setting, while the spa will enable guests to relax in a stylish environment. The hotel will also feature a fully equipped fitness centre, and a salon.

The Ritz-Carlton and JW hotels will also offer additional space for meetings, events and banquets - including individual ballrooms on the ground floor of each hotel - that will have a capacity to accommodate approximately 2,000 guests. This will appeal very much to the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibition) market and the hotels will be able to cater directly to the individual needs of groups booking at either or both hotels allowing great flexibility and access to a wide range of facilities across the properties.

The projected 2015 opening of The Ritz-Carlton and JW hotels in Macau are part of Phase 2 of Galaxy Macau's "World Class, Asian Heart" Macau development.

NOTE: The statements about the opening dates for the new hotels are "forward looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities laws, not historical facts, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including supply and demand changes for hotel rooms; competitive conditions in the lodging industry; relationships with clients and property owners; the availability of capital to finance hotel growth; and other risk factors identified in Marriott International, Inc.'s most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q; any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by our statements. These statements are made as of the date of this press release, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Marriott International

Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) is a leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA with more than 3,700 properties in 73 countries and territories and reported revenues of over $12 billion in fiscal year 2011.  The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 18 brands, including Marriott Hotels & Resorts, The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Bulgari, EDITION, Renaissance, Autograph Collection, AC Hotels by Marriott, Courtyard, Fairfield Inn & Suites, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, ExecuStay, Marriott Executive Apartments, Marriott Vacation Club, Grand Residences by Marriott, and The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club.  There are approximately 300,000 employees at headquarters, managed and franchised properties.  Marriott is consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business operations, which it conducts based on five core values: put people first, pursue excellence, embrace change, act with integrity, and serve our world. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.  

SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.