Spa Veteran Sharilyn Abbajay To Helm Marriott's Spas & Retail

BETHESDA, Md., Nov. 11, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Spas are no longer a luxury for today's traveler but a necessity.  No one knows this better than Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR), which is why the hospitality company has hired Sharilyn Abbajay as vice president of global spas and retail.  Abbajay brings more than 30 years of experience at some of the spa and beauty industry's biggest names to her new position.  

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090217/MARRIOTTINTLLOGO )

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090217/MARRIOTTINTLLOGO )

Abbajay is responsible for Marriott's portfolio of nearly 100 spas worldwide under the Ritz-Carlton, Marriott, JW Marriott and Renaissance brands, including operational standards, vendors, spa design and the financial strategy.  She will also oversee the company's retail stores, including its online retail sites - shopmarriott.com, shopcourtyard.com and collectrenaissance.com.

Her rich history includes five years as corporate operating officer with the Neill Corporation/Aveda Corporation; nine years at Elizabeth Arden Salons, including senior vice president of their new store division, senior vice president of operations and regional vice president; and eight years as corporate managing spa director of Noelle, a division of the Gillette Company.  Abbajay serves on the board of the International SPa Association (ISPA) and is co-chair of the Washington Spa Alliance (WSPA).

Abbajay lives in Lanham, Maryland.

Visit Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) for company information. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.