I'll always remember when we opened our first hotel in Mexico, which was a resort in Acapulco on the beach, overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean. This was a long time ago - about 1968. Today we have 16 hotels in Mexico and we just announced a huge expansion - adding 23 hotels in our pipeline that now stands at 29. That means the number of hotels we have in Mexico should triple in five years.
Even during the economic slowdown, Marriott is continuing to grow for the future. Hotel development outside the United States is driving a lot of that growth. In the Middle East, we will more than double the number of hotels we operate there in the next 3 years. In China, we're planning to add 23 hotels. By 2011, we expect to be operating 60 properties there.
It really amazes me to think Marriott started as a root beer stand 81 years ago and has grown into a global lodging company with more than 400 of our 3,000 properties outside the United States.
I enjoy visiting our hotels and meeting the associates who welcome our guests from around the world.
I'm Bill Marriott and thanks for helping me keep Marriott on the move.
Marriott Hotels Expand in Mexico
Anyone know when the new Residence Inn in Long Beach CA will open.
Posted by: Bruce | 09/05/2008 at 05:25 AM
Hi Bill,
I was imprssed by the Marriott in Puerto Vallarta--and frquently stay at the JW Mexico City, but how about more hotels in Central/South America (besides bueatiful Costa Rica)...love the Buenos Aires Park hotel. I heard about a deal for Montevideo, Uruguay?
Posted by: Louis Sinatra | 08/31/2008 at 05:06 AM
I recently stayed at a Radisson hotel in San Jose, and that experience with that hotel has confirmed what I had come to suspect about the Radisson brand: they are consistently inconsistent.
That makes me appreciate Marriott all that much more! As a Silver Rewards member, I look for Marriott brands whenever possible. I appreciate the consistency I experience with Marriott, and I appreciate the difference in Staff attitude.
In fact, last year, I planned a meeting at the Cranberry Woods Marriott in Cranberry, PA and had such a positive experience that I wrote to the GM about his staff's excellent service. Today, he and I still keep in touch occasionally. It's the personal touch that makes the Marriott difference!
Posted by: Happy Customer! | 08/27/2008 at 06:13 AM
Couldn't find a link to Bill Marriot's profile. The hotel chain provides excellent services (have stayed in 2 cities) with top customer services.
Posted by: New Product Placement | 08/19/2008 at 02:19 AM
Way to expand! first you have David Elsewhere dancing his greatness in the commercials and now this. Excellent news for spring break! Oh have you seen the new a href=http://www.motorola.com/E8David Elsewhere/a videos?
Posted by: Christopher Robin | 08/18/2008 at 09:11 AM
I applaud Marriott's continued growth. Whenever I see the red Marriott logo on a hotel I know that I have found a safe, friendly and comfortable haven regardless of where I am.
Posted by: Hank Mancini | 08/16/2008 at 03:15 AM
We love the part of a root beer stand the beginning of Marriott. We should have a root beer party. So proud to be part owner of Marriott properties.
Posted by: Lyle Schiefer | 08/16/2008 at 01:41 AM
Dear Bill
Great news about Mexico, China and the Middle East. Could you please have a look at Brazil - the country is absolutely booming at the moment, and frankly, in most cities outside of Sao Paulo and Rio the hotel accomodation is really pretty weak. There are a lot of cities where, with first mover advantage, you would absolutely murder the competition.
Posted by: Steve | 08/15/2008 at 08:50 AM