Lisa Beers
Waterford Group
(860) 701-9621
lbeers@waterfordgroup.net

Marriott Opens Hartford’s First New Full Service Hotel in Over 20 Years
J.W. Marriott, Jr., Governor Rell and Mayor Perez Join Waterford Group Executives at Ribbon Cutting for New Marriott Hartford Downtown

HARTFORD, CONN. – Aug. 25, 2005 – The city of Hartford and a distinguished group of dignitaries today welcomed the latest addition the Marriott Hartford Downtown to the city’s ongoing, multibillion dollar revitalization. A symbol of Hartford’s ongoing renaissance, the newly constructed Marriott Hartford Downtown was officially opened by J.W. Marriott, Jr., chairman & CEO, Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR), Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell, Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez, and Len Wolman, chairman & CEO, Waterford Group. The 409-room hotel is a Marriott franchise, owned and operated by Waterford Hotel Group of Waterford, Conn.

“Today marks another major step in the completion of one of Connecticut’s most exciting and important business and tourism developments,” said Governor Rell. “One that I’m confident will help make the state even more competitive on a national scale, as well as making Hartford an even more vibrant and thriving business and leisure destination. I share Waterford Group and Marriott’s excitement in opening the Marriott Hartford Downtown.”

Mr. Marriott added, “Hartford is a growing market that has long been ready for a new full-service Marriott hotel. This property is distinctively and stylishly designed, loaded with first-class amenities and commands an impressive position as the centerpiece of the city’s new residential, retail and entertainment district. We’re confident that Waterford Group will make the Marriott Hartford Downtown one of the brand’s leading hotels for quality, service and a superior guest experience.”

Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez continued, “In addition to providing Hartford visitors with a new first-class hotel facility, the Marriott Hartford Downtown created over 200 new jobs for local residents and will make an ongoing, significant, positive impact to many areas of the local economy.”

As Hartford’s first new full-service hotel to be built in over 20 years, the Marriott Hartford Downtown was designed to meet the discriminating needs of its guests and visitors, while showcasing the city’s status as “New England’s Rising Star.” Distinctive property features include an impressively decorated and appointed lobby, luxurious guest rooms and suites, innovative dining, a state-of-the-art fitness facility, rejuvenating spa and wireless internet access throughout all public spaces. The hotel also offers Marriott’s new, more luxurious bedding, which features plusher mattresses, softer sheets, more pillows, and a new, fresh, white look.

Rising 22 stories above the banks of the scenic Connecticut River, the Marriott Hartford Downtown is the anchor hotel of the state’s 33-acre Adriaen’s Landing enterprise, which comprises retail, residential, entertainment and cultural venues and attractions. It is just minutes from such major Hartford attractions as the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, Mark Twain House & Museum and Hartford Stage, with its top theatrical productions. The country’s largest gaming and entertainment venues, Mohegan Sun Casino and Foxwoods Resort Casino, are also a short drive away.

While the property is ideally located within the city, it also offers distinctive food and beverage options, as well as a day spa:

Vivo: A spirited, grand trattoria featuring an Italian wine bar and Milano market expo kitchen that showcases classic Italian dishes presented in a refreshingly creative American style. With hotel access and a separate street entrance, the 4,800-square-foot, 180-seat restaurant features 20-foot vaulted ceilings with authentic Italian touches such as Marmorino plastered walls.

Crush Lounge: A sophisticated, 1,500-square-foot, intimate lounge in a contemporary living room-style environment with oversized ottomans and sofas and modern décor. Destined to become a magnet for Hartford’s nightlife, Crush offers a menu of distinctive drinks and the perfect setting for after-work get-togethers, pre- and post-theater gatherings, networking and social events.

Glo: A soothing, unique rooftop oasis for fitness and spa services, including massages, facials, body wraps and body scrubs. Featuring spectacular views of the city, Glo offers three massage therapy treatment rooms, a relaxation room, men’s and women’s locker rooms, a 960-square-foot modern fitness area, and a luxurious 16’ X 40’ heated indoor pool.

Starbucks/Lobby Lounge: Starbucks offers whole-bean coffees with fresh, rich-brewed, international-style Espresso beverages, lattes, tazo teas and a variety of delicious pastries and confections. With wireless internet access, this full-size Starbucks is adjacent to the hotel’s Lobby Lounge, which has a fireplace where guests can enjoy a coffee break or some social interaction.

Recognizing the business traveler’s need to be productive away from the office, guest rooms provide ample workspace, an adjustable ergonomic chair, dual-line phones, data ports, a clock radio and no-glare lamps with power outlets. Other hotel amenities for the business traveler include a 900-square-foot UPS Business Center. Conveniently located in the corridor between the hotel and convention center lobbies, the facility provides a wide range of business center services, such as access to computers and printers, as well as shipping facilities and supplies for both hotel guests and visitors.

The Marriott Hartford Downtown also features meeting space of its own, specifically 12 meeting rooms that comprise 13,500 square feet of meeting space, including the largest hotel ballroom (over 8,300 square feet) in Hartford. Divisible into five sections, the ballroom seats 650 for banquets, 875 for receptions, 570 schoolroom-style and 850 theater-style. Meeting attendees will also be able to utilize state-of-the-art audiovisual services.

For further information on the Marriott Hartford Downtown and for reservations, call the hotel directly at (860) 249-8000, visit www.hartfordmarriott.com or log onto www.marriott.com.

About Waterford Hotel Group
Waterford Hotel Group is a national hotel management firm with 29 properties under contract in ten states. Under management of the Waterford Hotel Group, the new Marriott Hartford Downtown is a centerpiece of the Adriaen’s Landing development that also includes the new Waterford Venue Services-managed Connecticut Convention Center. With corporate offices in Waterford, Conn., Waterford Hotel Group is one of the most successful management companies in the hospitality industry. The company’s nationwide roster of properties consistently achieves exceptional market share and returns well above industry averages. This outstanding track record is based on strategic growth, intimate knowledge of industry trends, and providing value for customers and investors. For further information, contact Waterford Hotel Group, Inc., 914 Hartford Turnpike, P.O. Box 715, Waterford, Conn. 06385; telephone (860) 442-4559, fax (860) 437-7752, or visit the company's web site at www.waterfordgroup.net.

About Marriott International, Inc.
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE:MAR) is a leading lodging company with more than 2,600 lodging properties in the United States and 65 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, Renaissance, Bulgari, The Ritz-Carlton, Courtyard, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites, TownePlace Suites, and Fairfield Inn 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. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C. It is ranked as the lodging industry’s most admired company and one of the best places to work for by Fortune® magazine. In fiscal year 2004, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $10 billion, and the company had approximately 133,000 employees at year-end 2004. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com.