Marriott International

BETHESDA, Md., Sept. 26 / Host Marriott CorporationHMT announced today the substantial completion of a 2-year, $30 million capital improvement program at the company's largest hotel, the New York Marriott Marquis. The company believes that the enhancements will enable the hotel to continue to dominate the booming Times Square area hotel market. The Marquis has been the market leader in occupancy and REVPAR and the recently completed capital program positions the hotel to continue this trend.

The New York Marriott Marquis is a 1,919 room hotel on Broadway, between 45th and 46th streets. With 80,000 square feet of meeting space, the hotel meets the needs of both individual travelers and large groups. Opened in 1985, the Marquis was the first major hotel built on Times Square and has played a major role in the resurgence of the area since its opening.

Recently completed projects include a $21 million renovation of all guest- rooms and suites. The work included replacement of all furnishings and decor items and the introduction of Marriott's Series 2000 package into all guest- rooms. This package includes a movable workdesk, ergonomic chair, adjustable task lamp and dataport and dramatically improves the functionality of the guest-room workspace for business travelers. The Marquis will follow up these improvements with the addition of a second phone line to all guest-rooms by early 1998, providing guests with true two-line access in every room.

Also completed in 1997 were $3 million in renovations to the ballrooms and public spaces. With the largest catering sales volume in Manhattan, the Marquis is focused on maintaining its leadership position in meeting the needs of both local and group catering customers.

Other renovations recently completed or underway include a $1 million renovation of The View, the hotel's (and New York's only) revolving roof-top restaurant; a new decor package for the Encore Restaurant; a new retail outlet featuring New York memorabilia located right on Broadway and a new Sushi Bar to open in the 8th floor lobby of the hotel.

Christopher J. Nassetta, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Host Marriott stated, "We own the highest quality hotels in our market segment. The renovations at the Marquis are an example of our commitment to an ongoing renewal and replacements program to maintain this quality level."

The New York Marriott Marquis is one of four Host Marriott properties in Manhattan. The others are the New York Marriott East Side, the Marriott World Trade Center, and the Marriott Financial Center. These properties, combined with the Marquis, total almost 3,900 rooms. All four hotels continue to perform exceptionally well and have helped to solidify Host Marriott as the leading owner of hotels in the city.

Host Marriott is a lodging real estate company which currently owns or holds controlling interests in 93 upscale and luxury full-service hotel properties operated primarily under the Marriott and Ritz-Carlton brand names. The company also serves as general partner and holds minority interests in various unconsolidated partnerships that own 244 lodging properties, 24 of which are full-service hotels. Additionally, the company recently acquired 29 senior living communities, all of which are managed under the Marriott name.

Certain matters discussed within this news release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and as such may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Host Marriott to be different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although Host Marriott believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. These risks are detailed from time to time in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Jim Francis, 301-380-1974
Host