SpringHill Suites by Marriott, the new all-suite lodging product in the upper moderate tier, was recognized for two of its top executives in a recent landmark study, American Lodging Excellence: The Key to Best Practices in the U.S. Lodging Industry. In the Successful Creation for New Brands category, Joe Lavin, senior vice president, franchising, and Kathy Townshend, brand vice president, SpringHill Suites by Marriott, for Marriott International were recognized as leaders in the creation, development, and marketing of the new brand. The study was funded by American Express in partnership with the American Hotel Foundation.

The Lodging Industry Survey, conducted by researchers at Cornell University`s School of Hotel Administration, featured Marriott International in 26 of 144 Best-Practice categories and selected
J.W. Marriott, Jr. as the overall Best-Practice Individual Champion in Corporate Management. Examining all market segments and functional areas of the lodging industry, 13,400 hotel managers at both the hotel and corporate level were surveyed and over 3,500 individual nominations were examined before the 144 Best-Practice Champions were selected.

Marriott`s success with SpringHill Suites is primarily based on the process used to determine the desirability and feasibility of creating a new brand of hotels. This process includes listing and evaluating customer, franchisee and investor feedback as well as gathering the input and expertise of internal Marriott resources: brand management, franchising, development, finance, market management, architecture, and construction.

The best practices study is the largest survey of its kind ever to be conducted by the American Hotel Foundation, a subsidiary of The American Hotel & Motel Association, and the first time the organization has collaborated with an industry partner.

Appealing to both the transient business and leisure market—especially to women business travelers and families—most SpringHill Suites rates range from $79 to $99 per night with stays averaging one to four nights. Each guest room is up to 25 percent larger than a traditional hotel room and features separate working, sleeping and eating areas. Each suite also includes a pantry area with personal size refrigerator, microwave and sink. The brand also offers complimentary continental breakfast, weekday USA Today delivery, fax, printing and copy services, same-day dry cleaning, a swimming pool, whirlpool spa and exercise room. For more information on SpringHill Suites by Marriott, call 888/287-9400 or a travel professional.

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