Press Release

Kauai Marriott Resort Receives TravelAge West Award

Oceanfront resort awarded 2011 Editor's Pick for Best New Resort or Major Renovation in Hawaii

LIHUE, KAUAI, HAWAII – March 15, 2011 – Fresh from a $50 million transformation that touched all hotel areas, the oceanfront Kauai Marriott Resort on Kalapaki Beach has been honored with a TravelAge West 2011 Editor's Pick Award in the category of "Best New Resort or Major Renovation, Hawaii" as part of the TravelAge West WAVE (Western Agents' Votes of Excellence) Awards.

The grand rejuvenation unveiled a contemporary look and feel with upgrades including all 356 guestrooms and suites, the redesigned Kukui's on Kalapaki Beach restaurant and Toro-Tei sushi bar. A new keiki (children's) swimming pool with water spout features and a slide complements the resort's 26,000-square-foot pool, the largest single-level pool in Hawaii.

"We are pleased to receive this esteemed recognition by TravelAge West West," said Brad Snyder, area general manager of Kauai Marriott Resort on Kalapaki Beach. "Our guests continue to enjoy our newest enhancements and offerings for a complete resort experience on Kauai."

Now in its sixth year, the goal of TravelAge West's WAVE Awards is to give travel agents in the Western U.S. the opportunity to recognize the outstanding qualities and services of their travel-supplier partners.

The Editor's Picks were chosen by Editor-in-Chief Ken Shapiro and the entire editorial team of TravelAge West. Review methods included product analysis, on-site visits, a survey of a select group of travel agents and online research.

"As in past years, the editorial staff undertook hours of research and looked at a wide range of factors in making our picks," said Shapiro. "The companies acknowledged with our Editor's Pick designation provide travelers with truly exceptional experiences."

In addition to this distinction, Editor's Pick honorees are also in the running for a WAVE Award, to be determined by a TravelAge West readers' choice poll conducted during the month of April. The voting is open to readers of the publication, as well as to all visitors to the magazine's Web site, TravelAgeWest.com.

Editor's Pick recipients will be celebrated at the WAVE Awards gala dinner on June 2 at the Four Seasons Los Angeles in Beverly Hills, Calif., where the readers' choice winners will be announced as well. TravelAge West will produce a special WAVE Awards Spotlight Issue, due out in June 2011, highlighting each nominated company.

Editor's Note: Images of Kauai Marriott Resort on Kalapaki Beach are available upon request.

About Kauai Marriott Resort on Kalapaki Beach
Discover your paradise with Marriott's legendary aloha spirit at the new KAUAI MARRIOTT RESORT ON KALAPAKI BEACH – a standout among 5 star hotels in Kauai. Located on the serene, family-friendly Kalapaki Beach, the centrally located, 800-acre oceanfront resort makes it easy for guests to experience the pure splendor of Kauai, world renowned for its natural beauty, isolated beaches, carefree ambience and exhilarating activities. Fresh off a $50 million renovation, Kauai Marriott Resort guests will relax in completely new guest rooms and suites while enjoying the island's most impressive swimming pool with five saunas. Experience a mixture of creative island inspired cuisine masterfully prepared at the oceanfront Kukui's On Kalapaki Beach Restaurant featuring the new Toro-Tei sushi bar. Golfers can tee up at the premier Kauai Lagoons golf club, a Jack Nicklaus Signature course offering breathtaking ocean views. To start your island discovery at the new Kauai Marriott Resort, please call (800) 220-2925 or (808) 245-5050 or visit www.kauaimarriott.com to learn more about Hawaiian vacation packages to Kauai.

Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International's iconic business brand and flagship, is designed for the achiever who makes the most out of every opportunity – whether traveling for business or pleasure. Nearly 500 hotels in 60 countries support and inspire guests each and every time with real comfort, warmth and genuine care delivered through associates and experiences that help working, relaxing and connecting with others happen – so they can seize the day and prepare for the next. Marriott believes that tomorrow is a new opportunity to do something great. All Marriott hotels participate in the award-winning Marriott Rewards frequent travel program that allows members to earn hotel points or airline miles for every dollar spent. For more information visit www.meetthedriven.com.

About Marriott International
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE:MAR) is a leading lodging company with more than 3,500 lodging properties in 70 countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, The Autograph Collection, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club, and Grand Residences by Marriott brands; licenses and manages whole-ownership residential brands, including The Ritz-Carlton Residences, JW Marriott Residences and Marriott Residences; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and had approximately 137,000 employees at 2009 year-end. It is recognized by FORTUNE® as one of the best companies to work for, and by Newsweek as one of the greenest big companies in America. In fiscal year 2009, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of nearly $11 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

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For More Information, Contact:

Noreen Kam or Erin Kinoshita
McNeil Wilson Communications
Phone: (808) 531-0244
Email: Noreen.Kam@mwc-anthology.com or Erin.Kinoshita@mwc-anthology.com

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