Marriott Vacation Club Announces New Resort On Marco Island

ORLANDO, Fla., June 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Marriott Vacation Club International (MVCI), the vacation ownership division of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) , announced today the development and sales start of its first resort on Marco Island, Fla. Slated for occupancy in March 2009, Marriott's Crystal Shores on Marco Island is proposed to include 219 two- and three- bedroom villas (at build-out). Initial pricing ranges from approximately $20,000 to over $100,000 per week depending on season and floor plan selected.

"Marriott has enjoyed being a member of the community on Marco Island for nearly 35 years and we look forward to this exceptional new resort continuing that tradition and involvement," said Stephen P. Weisz, president of Marriott Vacation Club International. "After more than 15 years of searching for just the right opportunity on Marco Island, we couldn't be happier with this prime beachfront location for Marriott's Crystal Shores."

The architecture of Marriott's Crystal Shores will integrate and enhance the surrounding natural environment capturing the essence and easiness of the Gulf Coast Florida lifestyle. Upon arrival, owners and guests will be greeted under a glass roof and wood trellis porte-cochere by the soothing sight and sounds of a waterfall. Gulf breezes flow through the glass paneled, open-air lobby and cascading pools lead to unobstructed water views.

The buildings have been designed to optimize views from every villa and offer spacious floor plans including limited three-bedroom penthouse villas that feature 800 square foot balconies with Gulf front views. Floor plans will range in size from 1,100-1,450 square feet. A floor-to-ceiling sliding glass wall in each villa will open up to a gracious balcony offering panoramic views and ample space for entertaining. Each villa features a fully-equipped kitchen with GE stainless steel appliances and custom cabinetry, tile floors and granite counters; generous living and dining areas; washer/dryer; oversized shower with multiple shower heads in master suite; multiple Sony flat-panel televisions and DVD players in living room and bedrooms; and Wi-Fi access.

  Proposed resort features include:
  -- Two elegant pools that cascade from the open-air lobby and finish
     zero-entry
  -- One tropical pool with a waterslide and zero-entry
  -- Three whirlpool spas
  -- Fitness center
  -- Elevated pool bar and grill

Since 1984, Marriott Vacation Club has been the recognized worldwide leader in vacation ownership with a program highly regarded for its quality and unique flexibility. MVC currently has over 9,000 timeshare villas worldwide and nearly 335,000 owners own their vacations "the Marriott way," offering options to exchange weeks within the MVC portfolio, trade week(s) for Marriott Rewards points, exchange within Interval International's global system of 2,200 resorts in 75 countries or rent their week(s). For information, please visit http://www.marriott-timeshare.com/MarcoIsland.

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE: MAR) is a leading lodging company with nearly 2,900 lodging properties in the United States and 67 other countries and territories. For more information, please visit http://www.marriott.com/.

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