Before he opened the first Marriott hotel, Bill Marriott's father, J. Willard Marriott, ran an A&W root-beer stand. Pictured is the first East Coast drive-in A&W stand, circa 1928.
A&W drive-in root beer —
Before he opened the first Marriott hotel, Bill Marriott's father, J. Willard Marriott, ran an A&W root-beer stand. Pictured is the first East Coast drive-in A&W stand, circa 1928.
The Twin Bridges, in Arlington, Virginia, was the first Marriott hotel. The 365-room motel was opened in 1957. During the winter months the swimming pool and patio were converted to an outdoor ice skating rink.
Twin Bridges —
The Twin Bridges, in Arlington, Virginia, was the first Marriott hotel. The 365-room motel was opened in 1957. During the winter months the swimming pool and patio were converted to an outdoor ice skating rink.
In 1967 Marriott acquired Camelback Inn, in Scottsdale, Arizona -- its first resort property.<br />
Camelback Inn —
In 1967 Marriott acquired Camelback Inn, in Scottsdale, Arizona -- its first resort property.
Marriott opened its first international hotel, "Paraiso," in Acapulco, Mexico, in 1969.
Paraiso Marriott, Acapulco —
Marriott opened its first international hotel, "Paraiso," in Acapulco, Mexico, in 1969.
The modern hotel industry is characterized by segmentation into brands. Marriot opened its first sister brand, Courtyard, in Atlanta, in 1983. <br /><br />"It was tremendously successful," said Bill Marriott. "So then we just started cranking out these Courtyards. They didn't have a lot of services -- limited restaurant menu, no bellman, no room service, no parking attendants -- but it was a low price for a great room."
Courtyard, by Marriott —
The modern hotel industry is characterized by segmentation into brands. Marriot opened its first sister brand, Courtyard, in Atlanta, in 1983.

"It was tremendously successful," said Bill Marriott. "So then we just started cranking out these Courtyards. They didn't have a lot of services -- limited restaurant menu, no bellman, no room service, no parking attendants -- but it was a low price for a great room."
In 1987 Marriott entered the lower-moderate lodging segment with another brand, Fairfield Inn. The Marriott portfolio now comprises 18 different hotel brands, and Bill Marriott sees room for more.
Fairfield Inn —
In 1987 Marriott entered the lower-moderate lodging segment with another brand, Fairfield Inn. The Marriott portfolio now comprises 18 different hotel brands, and Bill Marriott sees room for more.
In 1989 Marriott opened its 500th hotel, in Warsaw, Poland, which it says was the first Western-managed hotel in Eastern Europe.
Marriott Warsaw —
In 1989 Marriott opened its 500th hotel, in Warsaw, Poland, which it says was the first Western-managed hotel in Eastern Europe.
Today's hotel guests demand more than just a clean, comfortable place to sleep for the night -- they want individual attention. "We are interested in taking care of your visit," said Marriott. <br /><br />"If you want to come to the lobby and meet with your friends the lobby has to be designed for you," he added. Pictured is the lobby of the Marriott Renaissance St Pancras, in London.
Marriott Renaissance St Pancras, London —
Today's hotel guests demand more than just a clean, comfortable place to sleep for the night -- they want individual attention. "We are interested in taking care of your visit," said Marriott.

"If you want to come to the lobby and meet with your friends the lobby has to be designed for you," he added. Pictured is the lobby of the Marriott Renaissance St Pancras, in London.
The glitzy bar at the Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, is a world away from the simple motels of the 1950s. Marriott's first foray into in Asia was with the JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong, opened in 1989. "I had a feeling we had to be in Asia, we had to be over there," said Marriott. "There was growth coming."
Marriott Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong —
The glitzy bar at the Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, is a world away from the simple motels of the 1950s. Marriott's first foray into in Asia was with the JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong, opened in 1989. "I had a feeling we had to be in Asia, we had to be over there," said Marriott. "There was growth coming."
An illustration of the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, due to open in 2012. <br /><br />When completed, it will have 1,608-rooms and will be 355 meters tall, making it the tallest dedicated hotel building in the world.
JW Marriott Marquis Dubai —
An illustration of the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, due to open in 2012.

When completed, it will have 1,608-rooms and will be 355 meters tall, making it the tallest dedicated hotel building in the world.
Bill Marriott is now 80 years old. He recently stepped down as CEO to take up the position of executive chairman.
Bill Marriott —
Bill Marriott is now 80 years old. He recently stepped down as CEO to take up the position of executive chairman.
CNN