Waterford Hotel Group's Mystic Marriott Named
Global Chain's Best New Property

Waterford, CT (October 1, 2002) - The Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa in Groton, opened last year and operated by Waterford Hotel Group, Inc. has been named by Marriott International as the Best New Product in the global chain's franchise system. Marriott also honored Waterford with its coveted Guest Focus Award, presented to franchisees whose hotels are singled out by guest surveys for their consistently excellent guest service. The awards were presented during Marriott's recent international convention. Waterford's Chairman and CEO Len Wolman, and President Robert Winchester attended the convention in Florida.
Each year, Marriott presents an award to a new hotel that it considers the most distinctive addition to the Marriott portfolio. The 285-room Mystic Marriott won this year's award partly by presenting itself as a fine example of the upscale-hotel industry's recent trend toward destinations that feature spas-an amenity that's becoming almost a must both for individual guests and companies seeking unique accommodations for meetings and incentive-award travel. The Mystic Marriott fulfills those needs with its 9,000-square-foot Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa, 25,000 square feet of meeting space, two divisible ballrooms, Octagon Restaurant… where big wines meet great steaks, a bar, a Starbucks Coffee Bar, and a fitness center, as well as Octagon Restaurant, serving freshly prepared cuisine, with an emphasis on finely aged steaks
At the event, Waterford Hotel Group was also recognized with a Guest Focus Award. The Guest Focus Award is presented to franchisees whose properties attain the status of Green Zone hotels in the Marriott guest-satisfaction criteria. These are hotels that achieve a 77 percent or greater approval rating based on guest-satisfaction surveys.
"We've always had as our goal developing and operating great hotels that offer the best in service and accommodations to our guests," said Len Wolman, Waterford Hotel Group's Chairman and CEO. "To be recognized by a hotel company as well-respected as Marriott is a great honor, and it's equally gratifying to be recognized by our hotels' guests for the service we provide. These awards tell us that as a company, our operational philosophy is working and working well."
In presenting the awards, Steve Joyce, Marriott International's executive vice president of owner and franchise services, said, "Marriott values the great relationships we have with our owners and franchisees. I'd like to congratulate this year's winners for their outstanding efforts, and thank them for helping to make our full-service lodging brands the most preferred among travelers."
The Mystic Marriott is one of 14 Marriott-branded properties operated by Waterford. The company operates a total of 29 branded and independent hotel properties in 10 states.