Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) is a worldwide operator and franchisor of a range of value and luxury hotels and related lodging facilities. Marriott currently has 2,300 accommodation properties in North America alone.

Its heritage can be traced to founder J. Willard Marriott’s experience as a Mormon missionary[citation needed] and later operating a root beer stand. He and his wife, Alice, opened the stand in Washington, D.C., in 1927. The Key Bridge Marriott in Arlington, Virginia is Marriott International’s longest operating hotel, and will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2009.[3] Today, Marriott International has about 3,150 lodging properties located in the United States and 67 other countries and territories.

Marriott Hotels, Resorts and Suites is Marriott International’s flagship brand of full service hotels and resorts.

As of December 2005, there were 482 hotels and resorts operating under the brand.

During America’s Bicentential in 1976, Marriott opened two identical amusement parks, named Great America in Santa Clara, California and Gurnee, Illinois. The California park is now owned by the Cedar Fair Entertainment Company. The Illinois park is now owned by Six Flags. There are some obvious visuals still remaining at both parks regarding their days as Marriott parks. The original theme was American patriotism. The imagery of “Old Glory” and other American icons still are displayed in some architecture. Both parks boast one double-decker merry-go-round each. While both parks have dismantled their “Triple Wheel” Ferris wheels, the California park still operates its sky ride.

In September 2005, Marriott Hotels & Resorts unveiled its first new room designs in ten years. Dubbed mSpot, the new rooms feature clean lines and updated technology, and are intended to be younger, urban and