Marriott International is now the world’s largest hotel company, having completed its acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.
The hotel management giant has also announced that it will match member status across Marriott Rewards – which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards – and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), allowing members to transfer points between the programmes.
Portfolio
As of Friday (September 23), Marriott International operates 30 hotel brands, comprising 5,700 properties and more than 1.1 million rooms in over 110 countries.
“We believe that Marriott now has the world’s best portfolio of hotel brands, the most comprehensive global footprint, and the most extensive loyalty programs, providing an unparalleled guest experience,” says Arne Sorenson, president and chief executive officer of Marriott International.
“Combining Starwood’s brands with ours better enables Marriott to reach our goal of having the right brand in the right place to serve our loyal guests and welcome new ones," he adds.
“Throughout our nearly 90-year history we have never stopped searching for fresh ways to serve our guests,” says Bill Marriott, Jr., executive chairman and chairman of the Board of Marriott International.
“With the addition of Starwood’s strong brands, great properties, and talented people, we have dramatically expanded our ability to provide the best experiences to our customers. We also welcome the tremendous responsibility as the world’s largest hotel company to be a good global steward, providing new opportunities for our associates and building the economic strength of the communities we call home.”
Marriott International APAC senior executives from left: Peggy Fang Roe, chief Sales & marketing officer; Craig Smith, president & managing director; Ken Rehmann, chief financial officer.
Loyalty programmes
Members of loyalty programmes Marriott Rewards, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards, and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) can now link their accounts via a new microsite.
Members of linked accounts can transfer points between the programmes at a three-to-one ratio – three Marriott points to one SPG point – for redemption stays or on the Marriott Rewards Experiences Marketplace or SPG’s Moments platform.
“Marriott will draw upon the very best each program offers and we can’t wait to show the loyal members of these programmes the power and benefits of Marriott and Starwood coming together,” says Stephanie Linnartz, executive vice president and global chief commercial officer.
The Board
Marriott has also increased its Board of Directors by three members, welcoming Bruce Duncan, former chairman of the Board of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, and president, CEO and director of First Industrial Real Estate Trust; Eric Hippeau, partner, Lerer Hippeau Ventures; and Aylwin Lewis, chairman and CEO of Potbelly Corporation.
Header photo: Marriott International APAC senior executives and associates from various hotel brands gathered in Hong Kong to celebrate the new Marriott portfolio of hotels.
