News | September 26, 2002

ELIZABETH, N.J., COURTYARD AND RESIDENCE INN HOTELS HOLD GRAND OPENING

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sept. 26, 2002 – Elizabeth, N.J., Mayor Chris Bollwage, along with Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) Executive Vice President Terry Petty and Northeast Regional Senior Vice President Steve Sharple, presided over a ribbon cutting ceremony today to celebrate the grand opening of the new Courtyard by Marriott and Residence Inn by Marriott Elizabeth/Newark Airport hotels.

"This is an exciting day for the city of Elizabeth," said Mayor Chris Bollwage. "These new Marriott hotels are yet another illustration of Elizabeth's economic renaissance. We look forward to welcoming visitors to our city, whether they are here to catch a flight or are planning to visit one of the many nearby attractions and businesses."

The 203-room Courtyard and the 198-suite Residence Inn Elizabeth/Newark Airport hotels are just one mile from Newark Liberty International Airport and minutes from downtown Newark. In addition, the hotels offer convenient access to Staten Island, Giants Stadium, Ikea Elizabeth, Rex Plex Sports complex, Liberty State Park, Port Elizabeth, and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.

With these two new properties, Marriott now offers five hotels, four brands and over 1,400 guest rooms in the Newark Airport area. Hotels include the Newark Airport Marriott, which recently completed an $8 million renovation; the Courtyard Marriott Newark Airport; the Fairfield Inn and Suites Newark Airport; the Courtyard Elizabeth/Newark Airport; and the Residence Inn Elizabeth/Newark Airport.

"We're very positive about the economic growth potential of the Newark/Elizabeth market," said Marriott's Newark Area General Manager Walt Ensminger. "The $3.8 billion Newark International Airport expansion, our proximity to New York City, and New Jersey's new-found appeal for Fortune 500, telecommunications and pharmaceutical companies all combine to form a picture of real vitality. That's why we've invested in this area with a variety of products, some of which are our very latest prototypes, to appeal to a broad base of customers."

The Courtyard by Marriott Elizabeth/Newark Airport is located at 87 Glimcher Realty Way, and the Residence Inn by Marriott Elizabeth/Newark Airport is just next door, at 83 Glimcher Realty Way. Both hotels are owned and managed by Marriott International, Inc. of Washington, D.C.

Courtyard by Marriott is the leading select-service hotel brand in the United States. Providing guests with a combination of casual comfort and timesaving services, Courtyard hotels feature large functional guest rooms and are conveniently situated where people travel. Locations range from airports and office parks to downtown areas and recreational destinations. Several locations feature revitalized historical buildings. Courtyard has more than 540 hotels worldwide, including properties in the U.K., Germany and China.

Residence Inn, a leader in extended-stay lodging, offers over 400 hotels in 43 states, the District of Columbia, Canada and Mexico. Designed for extended stays of five nights or more, Residence Inn suites have fully equipped kitchens with coffee maker, microwave oven and full-sized appliances.

Both the Courtyard and Residence Inn brands participate in the company's award-winning Marriott Rewards® program, which enables members to earn their choice of points toward free vacations or frequent flyer mileage in their preferred airline program for dollars spent at more than 2,100 Marriott hotels in 60 countries.