WASHINGTON, Marriott International, Inc. MAR announced the conversion of the former 541-room Regent Las Vegas to its second JW Marriott brand hotel in the Western United States and its 18th worldwide. Hotspur Resorts Nevada, Inc., a private investment entity, purchased the hotel.

The JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort, Spa & Golf is located in the affluent master-planned Summerlin community, approximately 15 minutes northwest of the Las Vegas strip. This elegant resort offers carefully appointed guest rooms and suites with lavish features. A 40,000-square-foot, award-winning spa presents a full range of treatments from massage to body wraps to yoga. Three championship PGA golf courses surround the JW Marriott Las Vegas: Angel Park Golf Club, Badlands Golf Club and the Tournament Players Club at The Canyons. The resort's 11-acre campus features lush gardens, shimmering pools and lagoons. A conference and banquet center adds 21,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. In addition, guests may enjoy gaming facilities, upscale dining, exclusive shopping and unique art galleries.

"We are delighted to bring a new Marriott property to the Las Vegas area, and we look forward to delivering the high level of personal service and luxurious surroundings that are hallmarks of the JW Marriott hotel brand," said Terry Petty, Marriott International's executive vice president of North American lodging.

The former Regent Las Vegas is the first acquisition of the new investment company that recently bought the property out of bankruptcy. Hotspur contracted with Maple Leaf Management, and subsequently, Maple Leaf brought in Larco Hospitality to assist in the transition of ownership and management issues. Larco Hospitality owns and operates four Marriott International properties in Canada.

"There is no finer brand than JW Marriott and no better fit for this property," said Hotspur President Thaddas Alston. "By teaming up with Marriott, we expect a short ramp-up time. We look forward to reintroducing a level of service that matches the product level of this unique and beautiful resort."

JW Marriott hotels cater to discerning upscale travelers seeking a lodging experience of high comfort and prestige. The first JW Marriott Hotel opened in 1984 on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., as a tribute to the founder of the Marriott Corporation, predecessor of Marriott International. Other JW Marriott Hotel locations in the United States include Santa Monica; Miami; Atlanta; Ko Olina, Hawaii; and Houston. Outside the United States, JW Marriott Hotels can be found in Hong Kong, Quito, Kuala Lumpur, Mexico City, Seoul, Bangkok and Dubai.

For more information or reservations, contact the JW Marriott Las Vegas at 877-869-8777, the Marriott Worldwide Reservations Center at 800-228-9290, a travel agent, or visit the Marriott Web site at www.marriott.com .

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. MAR is a leading worldwide hospitality company with nearly 2,400 operating units in the United States and 63 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Ramada International brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club, Horizons, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Marriott Grand Residence Club brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its ExecuStay by Marriott division; and operates conference centers. Other Marriott businesses include senior living communities and services, and wholesale food distribution. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has approximately 152,000 employees. In fiscal year 2000, Marriott International reported systemwide sales of $19.8 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit the web site at www.marriott.com .