Marriott International Purchases 1,000-Room Sheraton Grand Phoenix for $255 Million, Advancing Company's Transformation Strategy for its Sheraton Brand

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Jun 28, 2018, 08:30 ET

BETHESDA, Md., June 28, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Marriott International (NASDAQ: MAR) today announced that it has purchased the 1,000-room Sheraton Grand Phoenix hotel for $255 million. Marriott has plans for a significant renovation covering the downtown Phoenix hotel's guest rooms and public space to transform the property into a cutting-edge model for the Sheraton brand.

"The hotel will provide a living and breathing showcase of our new vision for the Sheraton brand, underscoring our commitment to restore the brand to its leadership position," said Arne Sorenson, President and CEO, Marriott International. "Going back to Sheraton's roots as being the heart of the community, the renovated hotel will showcase the brand's new focus on services and design that enable socialization, productivity and personalization, featuring collaborative venues and technology that enable unique experiences. The Sheraton Grand Phoenix will become a wonderful destination for locals and out-of-towners."

The announcement comes as momentum builds for Marriott International's transformation of Sheraton, the company's most international brand since its purchase as part of the Starwood Hotels & Resorts acquisition in late 2016. Earlier this month, the company revealed its comprehensive brand transformation strategy, creating a pop-up model lobby in New York City for owners, franchisees and other stakeholders to experience and evaluate first-hand. Feedback on the new vision has been overwhelmingly positive, and Marriott International estimates that owners of Sheraton properties in the U.S. have already committed to invest more than $500 million to remodel Sheraton properties under the new standards.

While Marriott International remains committed to its asset-light business strategy, the company took a similar approach as it worked to reposition the Marriott Hotels brand five years ago. The company purchased and renovated the Charlotte Marriott City Center, which then served as a living innovation hotel that helped engage owners to experience and develop the Marriott Hotels brand, enhance guest satisfaction and improve hotel profitability. Like the Charlotte property, Marriott International expects to sell the Sheraton Grand Phoenix, subject to a long-term management agreement.

The 33-story Sheraton Grand Phoenix opened in 2008 and is located in the heart of Phoenix's downtown, where more than $4 billion has been invested over the past six years in office space, retail, restaurants, educational facilities and convention space. The Grand is also within walking distance to major sports teams' venues and has played a role for national events that Phoenix has hosted including the Super Bowl, Final Four and large international conferences. The hotel features about 77,000 square feet of meeting space, a business center, a fitness center, a fourth-floor outdoor pool with a poolside bar, as well as a lobby restaurant and bar. The company expects to commence renovations in 2019.

About Marriott International, Inc.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 6,500 properties in 30 leading hotel brands spanning 127 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company also operates award-winning loyalty programs: Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.

About Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott International, Inc., makes it easy for guests to explore, relax and enjoy the possibilities of travel at nearly 450 hotels in over 70 countries and territories around the world. Sheraton continues to enhance the brand through innovative guest experience, differentiating design, multi-channel marketing and a sharp focus on service. Sheraton is proud to participate in the industry's award-winning loyalty program, Starwood Preferred Guest®. Members can now link accounts with Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® at members.marriott.com for instant elite status matching and unlimited points transfer. To learn more, visit www.sheraton.com. Stay connected to Sheraton on Facebook, and @sheratonhotels on Twitter and Instagram.

Note on Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities laws, including with respect to certain lodging properties the company may acquire and renovate in the future, amounts expected to be invested by hotel owners, and similar statements concerning possible future events or expectations that are not historical facts. We caution you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including changes in market conditions and other risk factors that the company identifies in its most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q; any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations we express or imply here. We make these statements as of the date of this press release, and we assume no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.