WASHINGTON, Marriott International, Inc. MAR announced plans to convert the five-star Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel this March into the first JW Marriott in Continental Europe. Beginning this March, the 402-room JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel will incorporate a series of upgrades and amenities, including high-speed Internet access in every guest room. By the summer, each guest room will feature Nirvae, JW Marriott-branded bathroom amenities and offer 24-hour access to the business center and executive lounge. In addition, a new butler service will be available upon request for guests staying on the executive level.

"This is an exciting time for our associates, guests and local community," said General Manager Kurt Strohmayer. "Our hotel has evolved from an abandoned construction site of the Ceausescu era into one of Marriott's luxurious JW Marriott hotels. We're excited to be a part of the transformation."

Currently, hotel services and offerings include an airport shuttle, free in-room safety deposit boxes, a complimentary newspaper, an ice machine on every floor, laundry and cleaning services, and a concierge service/airline reservation desk. Each bathroom offers a vanity, makeup mirror and separate bathtub and shower in over 80 percent of guest rooms. Chauffeur and limousine services are available upon request, and for a small fee, digital newspaper clippings can be delivered daily to guests.

An activities and tour desk is available for guests to explore nearby attractions. Within walking distance, guests can visit the Botanical Gardens, Bucharest Opera House, City History Museum or art museums – the Museum of Art Collections or the National Art Museum at the Royal Palace. Additional city highlights include Cotroceni Palace, offering a three-century historical evolution of Romanian history and the Palace of Parliament, also known as the largest building in Europe.

Within the hotel, guests can take advantage of the Kid's Club, offered every Saturday and Sunday, visit the hotel shops and boutiques or indulge at one of the hotel's five restaurants. Guests can enjoy Italian specialties, served by singing waiters at Cucina, international fusion cuisine at Cupola, American or Tex-Mex at Champions Bar & Restaurant or the Viennese cake buffet sandwich at the Vienna Cafe. From May to September, outside dining is available at the Marriott Beer Garden.

The exclusive JW Marriott collection has been defined as an "approachable luxury" hotel. The portfolio features 32 award-winning properties in sought- after global locations and has been widely hailed for its world-class service, gourmet food options and unique business offerings and amenities.

The future JW Marriott Bucharest Hotel, along with 2,300 Marriott- affiliated hotels worldwide, will participate in Marriott Rewards, the guest reward program that allows members to earn their choice of points or airline miles for dollars spent during each stay.

To enroll in Marriott Rewards or for more information on Marriott hotels, please visit www.marriott.com or call your local travel agent or sales office directly.

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. MAR is a leading worldwide hospitality company with over 2,700 lodging properties in the United States and 67 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 International, Horizons, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Marriott Grand Residence Club brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. Marriott is also in the synthetic fuel business. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has approximately 128,000 employees. In fiscal year 2003, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $9 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com.