Marriott International, Inc.
MAR
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World's largest hotel company with 37+ brands, 9,000+ properties, and 1.7M rooms in 144 countries, from luxury Ritz-Carlton to select-service Fairfield Inn.
About
Marriott International, Inc., founded in 1927 by J. Willard Marriott and his wife Alice as a nine-seat A&W root beer stand, has evolved into the world's largest hotel company by number of available rooms. Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, the company was formally established in 1993 following the split of Marriott Corporation into Marriott International, which focuses on franchising and managing properties, and Host Marriott Corporation, which handles ownership. Today, it operates, franchises, and licenses over 37 hotel and timeshare brands, encompassing more than 9,000 properties with approximately 1.7 million rooms across 144 countries and territories, making it a dominant force in the global hospitality industry[1][3][4]. Marriott's expansive portfolio spans luxury icons like The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, and JW Marriott to midscale and select-service brands such as Courtyard, Fairfield Inn, Residence Inn, and SpringHill Suites, alongside upscale options like Renaissance, Sheraton, Westin, and lifestyle-oriented W Hotels. This breadth allows it to cater to diverse traveler needs, from business stays and family vacations to experiential luxury getaways. With around 377,000 employees, Marriott emphasizes five core values—put people first, pursue excellence, embrace change, act with integrity, and serve our world—driving its culture and operations as a top employer[2][3][4]. What distinguishes Marriott is its franchise-heavy model, where the majority of properties (over 7,000) are independently owned and operated under license agreements, enabling rapid global expansion while minimizing capital investment. Key milestones include acquiring Renaissance Hotel Group in 1997 for international growth, full ownership of The Ritz-Carlton by 1998, and continuous portfolio innovation. Its powerful network of over 20 reservation centers and focus on community impact position it as a leader in connecting people to experiences worldwide[1][3][4].
At a glance
Brands in Marriott International, Inc.
AC Hotels
Marriott International, Inc. · upscale
AC Hotels by Marriott is a design-led, European-inspired upscale brand offering minimalist modern rooms and social lobby spaces for business and leisure travelers.
Aloft Hotels
Marriott International, Inc. · upscale
Urban-inspired upscale hotels featuring vibrant social scenes, modern design, and tech-forward amenities.
Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott International, Inc. · extended_stay
Extended-stay apartments providing home-like accommodations with full kitchens and residential amenities.
Autograph Collection
Marriott International, Inc. · upper_upscale
Autograph Collection is Marriott’s global portfolio of independent, design-led hotels and resorts, curated for distinctive, story-driven stays in the upper-upscale to luxury tier.
Bulgari Hotels & Resorts
Marriott International, Inc. · luxury
Ultra-luxury properties featuring Italian design excellence and bespoke hospitality experiences in iconic global destinations.
Did you know?
- Started as a nine-seat A&W root beer stand in 1927 before becoming the global hospitality giant it is today.
- Largest hotel company worldwide by rooms, with over 1.7 million across 9,000+ properties in 144 countries.
- Operates a franchise-heavy model: only 51 properties are both owned and managed by Marriott out of 9,361 total.
- Acquired The Ritz-Carlton in stages, reaching near-full ownership by 1998 to bolster its luxury portfolio.
- Employs around 377,000 people and holds a 6.1% market share in the U.S. Hotels & Motels industry.