Businessweek

e with The Ritz-Carlton brand. The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club resorts feature two-, three-, and four-bedroom units that include marble foyers, walk-in closets, custom kitchen cabinetry, and luxury resort amenities, such as feature pools and full-service restaurants and bars. The company delivers on-site services, which include daily maid service, valet, in-residence dining, and access to fitness facilities, as well as spa and sports facilities as appropriate for each destination, through its The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. (Ritz-Carlton) subsidiary. The Ritz-Carlton Residences is a whole ownership residence brand in the luxury tier of the industry. The Ritz-Carlton Residences include luxury residential condominiums and home sites for luxury home construction co-located with certain The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club resorts. The company delivers on-site services through its Ritz-Carlton subsidiary. MVW offers Marriott Rewards Points and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards Points to its owners or potential owners as sales, tour, and financing incentives, in exchange for vacation ownership usage rights, for customer referrals, and to resolve customer service issues. MVW buys these points from the company’s Marriott Rewards and Ritz-Carlton Rewards programs. As of December 28, 2012, MVW operated 65 properties, primarily in the United States, and also in other countries and territories. Other Activities Credit Card Programs: As of December 28, 2012, the company had six credit card programs in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, which include both Marriott Rewards and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards credit cards. Sales and Marketing, Loyalty Programs, and Reservation Systems: The company is a founding venture partner along with five other major hotel chains in Roomkey.com, an industry online referral and lead generation site. Roomkey.com launched in 2012 and allows consumers to research hotel options across multiple brands. When a Roomkey.com customer selects a hotel with one of the company’s brands, the customer books directly on Marriott.com. As of December 28, 2012, the company operated 15 systemwide hotel reservation centers, 8 in the United States and Canada, and 7 in other countries and territories, which handle reservation requests for its lodging brands worldwide, including franchised properties. Its customer loyalty programs, Marriott Rewards and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards, have approximately 41 million members and 14 participating brands. Customers The company operates various properties under long-term management agreements that are owned or leased by Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (Host). In addition, Host is a partner in various partnerships that own properties operated by the company under long-term management agreements. History Marriott International, Inc. was founded in 1971.