"TownePlace Suites is a brand with personality. We're refreshing and fun," says Peggy Fang, brand vice president. "David and his amazing dance reflect the brand's personality and are a unique way to show off our new design and amenities for the extended-stay traveler. And who knows, some viewers may even pick up a new dance move or two."

Viewed an estimated 200 million times on the Internet, David Elsewhere's style of dance has led to appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel Live, numerous music videos and advertising campaigns. At a glance, he might be perceived as a contortionist; however his moves are based on flexibility and illusion.

The popular extended stay brand is reinventing itself to meet the needs of a growing segment of long term stay hotel (http://www.towneplacesuites.com/) travelers who want to settle in and maintain their routines while on the road. Every room is a suite with functional space for living and working and each hotel specializes in delivering service that helps guests settle in to the local area. (To see the TownePlace Suites design, visit http://www.towneplacesuites.com/)

Warm red carpet and friendly "hello" signage will welcome guests to the hotel lobby and check-in area. The focal point where guests and staff interact is a floor-to-ceiling TowneMap (R) featuring great places to eat, popular night spots, recreation areas, shopping and services such as the local car wash and dry cleaners. In addition, guests are able to select a variety of food and beverage items from the "In a Pinch" Express Market, enjoy complimentary coffee and work out in the exercise room, 24-hours a day. Free WiFi and a connection center with PCs and printer are also available.

Guests can work and relax on their own terms in the brightly-colored modern suites that feature full kitchens with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops, adjustable work spaces with built-in shelves and lighting, a large flat screen TV and Marriott's luxurious new bedding. Housekeeping can also be tailored each day of the week for a full-clean or just a refresh.

One week prior to arrival, guests receive an email from the TownePlace Suites virtual concierge -- an online service that makes it easy to request food items, local area information, extra towels, bottled water or a welcome snack such as milk and cookies.

"Our research shows that the do-it-yourselfer, extended-stay guests want a lot of control and just the basics. They want a simple, fresh, friendly place to stay that also allows them to build their own experience right down to customizing their room with photos on their desk and re-arranging their furniture," added Fang. "This new design enables guests to live the way they want and make TownePlace Suites their own space."

Currently operating in 150 locations throughout the United States, the TownePlace Suites system is expected to grow to more than 200 properties by the end of 2009. Elements of the brand's new design will be implemented in existing TownePlace Suites and newly constructed hotels.

TownePlace Suites participates in the company's award-winning Marriott Rewards(R) (http://www.marriott.com/rewards/rewards-program.mi) program, which enables members to earn their choice of points toward free vacations or frequent flyer mileage in their preferred airline program for dollars spent at more than 2,500 Marriott hotels in 56 countries. For more information or reservations, call the TownePlace Suites toll-free number at 800-257-3000, a travel agent or visit http://www.towneplacesuites.com/.

Note: This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities laws, including statements about the number of hotels that will be opened in future years, and similar statements concerning anticipated future events and expectations that are not historical facts. We caution you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including the duration and extent of growth in the economy and the lodging industry; supply and demand changes for hotel rooms, competitive conditions in the lodging industry; the availability of capital to finance hotel growth; and other identified "Risk Factors" in Marriott International, Inc.'s most recent annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q; any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the statements herein. These statements are made as of the date of this press release, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CONTACT: Jeff Flaherty of Marriott International, Inc./ +1-301-380-6954, jeff.flaherty@marriott.com/ Web site: http://www.marriott.com/ http://www.towneplacesuites.com/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-pmPLDsH8w/ Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/532963.html