US: After six years of planning, design, and construction Marriott International, has opened its global headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland.
The 21-story, 785,000-square-foot, LEEDv4 Gold-certified building, in downtown Bethesda, is the new workplace for corporate associates, supporting more than 8,100 hotels in 139 countries and territories around the world.
Marriott’s portfolio includes several extended stay brands such as Marriott Executive Apartments, Springhill Suites, Fairfield Inn and Suites, TownePlace Suites and Residence Inn.
Anthony Capuano, chief executive officer of Marriott International said: “We are thrilled to be welcoming associates to our new headquarters. The campus has been designed to better connect our global workforce in support of our hotels and teams around the world. Empowering associates and accelerating innovation were our key priorities and central in every decision we made to deliver a compelling environment for associates to work, learn and thrive.”
Marriott’s new HQ campus, which includes the new Marriott Bethesda Downtown at Marriott HQ hotel next door, is designed to enable connectivity, collaboration, growth, ideation, and well-being through diverse and dynamic spaces and state-of-the-art technology.
The new building will also serve as a global hub for Marriott’s research and development operation, featuring its Innovation and Design Lab, a premium test kitchen and beverage bar, as well as “model” hotel rooms in the adjacent Marriott hotel, where new concepts, design elements, service approaches, and amenities will be tested for potential use across the company’s portfolio of 30 brands.
David Marriott, chairman of the board, Marriott International added: “Unveiling our new global headquarters is an exceptional way to celebrate our 95 years of culture and innovation. This campus honours our storied history and roots in the local community, while showcasing Marriott’s exciting next chapter of growth as we remain dedicated to our purpose of connecting people through the power of travel.”
Marriott International has a portfolio of more than 8,100 properties under 30 brands spanning 139 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy, its highly awarded travel program.
Marriott also just announced it will bring its Fairfield hotels to Europe next year.
Fairfield by Marriott is one of the hotel group’s midscale brands which offers guests flexible living with its select service concept. Marriott is planning four European properties – the first being in Denmark (Copenhagen) and the Netherlands (Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport) in the second half of next year. These will be followed by properties in Switzerland (Fairfield by Marriott Zug in central Switzerland) and France (Marriott Bordeaux Train Station) in 2024. Fairfield by Marriott also recently announced its venture into the Middle East with two properties opening in Saudi Arabia in 2025. Marriott opened its Executive Apartments offering in Saudi Arabia earlier this year.
Eric Jacobs, Marriott’s senior vice president and global brand leader for select brands said: “We are thrilled to launch Fairfield by Marriott in Europe and the Middle East, continuing the growth of this trusted brand. Fairfield is celebrated with a unique legacy in the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. Built on principles of warmth, comfort, and simplicity, Fairfield hotels provide quality and reliability that travellers can look forward to globally.”
