Marriott International, Inc. stands as the largest hotel company in the world by available rooms. The company operates, franchises, and licenses lodging properties across 144 countries and territories. Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Marriott manages a diverse portfolio that includes luxury resorts, business hotels, extended-stay properties, and timeshare offerings.
The company traces its origins to a humble root beer stand opened in 1927. Today, Marriott’s brand portfolio includes iconic names such as The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, W Hotels, Sheraton, Westin, and Courtyard by Marriott. The hospitality giant employs approximately 155,000 people worldwide and serves millions of guests annually through its Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program.
Marriott International History
J. Willard and Alice Sheets Marriott open a nine-seat A&W root beer stand in Washington, D.C. on May 20.
Hot Shoppes restaurant chain expands with multiple locations across the East Coast.
First hotel opens: Twin Bridges Marriott Motor Hotel in Arlington, Virginia.
First international property opens in Acapulco, Mexico, marking global expansion.
Marriott Corporation splits into Marriott International and Host Marriott Corporation.
Marriott acquires 49% stake in The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company for luxury market entry.
Landmark acquisition of Starwood Hotels for $13.6 billion creates world’s largest hotel company.
Marriott Bonvoy launches, unifying loyalty programs with 228+ million members.
Anthony Capuano becomes CEO following the passing of Arne Sorenson.
Record gross room additions of 123,000+ rooms, reaching 1.7 million rooms worldwide.
Marriott International Co-founders
Born in Utah in 1900, J. Willard Marriott founded the company in 1927. He served as CEO until 1972 and remained active in the business until his death in 1985. His leadership transformed a root beer stand into a global hospitality empire.
Co-founder and business partner who married J. Willard in 1927. Alice managed finances, developed recipes for Hot Shoppes, and influenced key company decisions. She served on the board and remained involved until her death in 2000.
Business partner who invested $3,000 alongside J. Willard Marriott to open the original root beer stand in 1927. Colton was a Georgetown University law student who helped secure the franchise rights for Washington, D.C.
Marriott International Revenue
Marriott International reported $25.1 billion in total revenue for fiscal year 2024, representing a 5.85% increase from the previous year. The company generates income through management fees, franchise fees, and owned property operations across its global portfolio.
Marriott International Marketcap
Marriott International trades on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol MAR. As of November 2025, the company holds a market capitalization of approximately $80 billion, ranking among the 250 most valuable companies globally.
Marriott International Acquisitions
Marriott International has grown through strategic acquisitions that expanded its brand portfolio and global reach. The company’s acquisition strategy focuses on entering new market segments and strengthening its competitive position in the hospitality industry.
The 1995 acquisition of a 49% stake in The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company marked Marriott’s entry into the luxury segment. By 1998, Marriott increased its ownership to 99%, gaining full control of the prestigious brand. This move positioned Marriott to compete with established luxury hotel chains like Hilton in the high-end market.
In 1997, Marriott acquired Renaissance Hotels and Ramada International from Chow Tai Fook Group. This transaction doubled Marriott’s international presence and added distinctive properties to its portfolio. The 2012 acquisition of Gaylord Hotels brought approximately 2 million square feet of meeting and event space under the Marriott umbrella.
The 2016 acquisition of Starwood Hotels and Resorts for $13.6 billion transformed the industry. This deal added 11 brands including Westin, Sheraton, W Hotels, St. Regis, and Le Meridien to Marriott’s portfolio. The combined entity created the world’s largest hotel company with over 5,700 properties and 1.1 million rooms across 30 brands. Other notable acquisitions include Delta Hotels in 2015 and Protea Hotels in 2014.
Marriott International Competitors
The global hospitality industry features several major players competing with Marriott International. These companies operate across similar market segments, from budget accommodations to luxury resorts, creating intense competition for market share and customer loyalty.
| Company | Headquarters | Properties | Key Brands |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Worldwide | McLean, Virginia | 7,500+ | Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, DoubleTree |
| InterContinental Hotels Group | Denham, UK | 6,000+ | Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Kimpton |
| Hyatt Hotels Corporation | Chicago, Illinois | 1,350+ | Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Andaz |
| Wyndham Hotels & Resorts | Parsippany, New Jersey | 9,100+ | Wyndham, Ramada, Days Inn |
| Accor | Paris, France | 5,500+ | Sofitel, Novotel, ibis |
| Choice Hotels International | Rockville, Maryland | 7,000+ | Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, Cambria |
| Best Western Hotels | Phoenix, Arizona | 4,700+ | Best Western, SureStay, Vib |
| Four Seasons Hotels | Toronto, Canada | 130+ | Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts |
| Radisson Hotel Group | Brussels, Belgium | 1,700+ | Radisson Blu, Park Inn, Park Plaza |
| MGM Resorts International | Las Vegas, Nevada | 30+ | Bellagio, MGM Grand, Aria |
FAQs
Who founded Marriott International?
J. Willard Marriott and his wife Alice Sheets Marriott founded the company in 1927. They started with a nine-seat root beer stand in Washington, D.C., which evolved into the global hospitality company.
When did Marriott acquire Starwood Hotels?
Marriott completed the $13.6 billion acquisition of Starwood Hotels and Resorts on September 23, 2016. This deal created the world’s largest hotel company with 30 brands.
How many hotels does Marriott International operate?
Marriott International operates over 9,300 properties with approximately 1.7 million rooms in 144 countries and territories worldwide as of 2024.
What is Marriott Bonvoy?
Marriott Bonvoy is Marriott’s travel loyalty program launched in 2019. It unified Marriott Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest, and Ritz-Carlton Rewards with over 228 million members.
Where is Marriott International headquartered?
Marriott International is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland. The company moved into its new 21-story global headquarters building in downtown Bethesda in 2022.