Christopher P. Ottaunick

TELL US ABOUT MARRIOTT HOTELS & RESORTS’ PLANS FOR EXPANSION.

Marriott Hotels & Resorts is Marriott International’s signature and most widely distributed brand worldwide, with more than 500 hotels and 180,000 rooms in 54 countries. We just issued a growth pipeline of nearly 50 hotels in the next four years, most of which are in emerging markets. Twelve hotels are planned in the Americas, with seven of them in the United States. Around the world, we have 24 hotels opening in Asia/the Pacific, nine in the Middle East and four in Europe.

ELABORATE ON THE PROPERTIES OPENING IN 2011 AND 2012.

The Shanghai Marriott Luwan is situated on the Huangpu River near parks, shops and offices. The Jaipur Marriott Hotel is the largest (in terms of number of rooms) in the Indian city. In October, we opened the Shanghai Marriott City Centre, with 22,000 square feet of event space. The Guangzhou Marriott Hotel Tianhe, also opening this fall, boasts three restaurants and a spa. Lastly, we will open the Haikou Marriott Resort & Spa with 392 rooms. The Rayong Marriott Resort & Spa, opening in early 2102, will help make the Thai resort a haven for international leisure travelers. Next year will see many openings, including the Chicago Marriott Naperville, Milwaukee Marriott Downtown, Shanghai Marriott Jinqiao Pudong, Wuxi Marriott Hotel, Bangalore Marriott Hotel Whitefield, Xi’an Marriott Hotel, Mumbai Marriott Hotel, Marriott Zhuhai/Jida, Nha Trang Marriott Hotel, Mulu Marriott Resort, Krasnodar Marriott Hotel Russia, Kigali Marriott Hotel and Sahl Haseesh Marriott Beach Resort.

GLOBAL TRAVELER READERS VOTED MARRIOTT HOTELS & RESORTS THE BEST DOMESTIC HOTEL CHAIN IN 2009 AND 2010. WHAT MAKES THE MARRIOTT BRAND STAND OUT TO DISCERNING TRAVELERS?

Marriott Hotels & Resorts has for years set the standard for service and amenities for discerning and high-achieving business, meeting and leisure travelers worldwide. In terms of product innovation, the brand is featuring new designs in lobbies, restaurants, fitness facilities and guestrooms. The most remarkable new amenity is the reinvented lobby. The social center of every hotel, this versatile, multipurpose space allows guests to meet friends and colleagues, grab a bite to eat, plug in their devices and work either in small groups or alone but close to the action — any time of the day or night. The brand is also known for superb service and facilities for high-performance meetings and special events.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREER IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY.

I am responsible for the direction and growth of Marriot Hotels & Resorts, including creating and executing brand strategy, multiyear planning and driving brand performance. I began with Marriott in 1988 and have held various roles, including area general manager of the South Orange County and Los Angeles South Bay and Long Beach markets.