Marriott International, Inc. today announced the opening of the Myrtle
Beach Marriott Resort at Grande Dunes. The 400-room resort is located
oceanfront at 8400 Cost Verde Drive and will operate as a Marriott
franchise, owned and operated by Columbia-Sussex of Ft. Mitchell, Ky.

Golfers, families and couples can experience the new resort with a special
introductory rate of $129 per person per day (based on double occupancy).
The “Introductory Golf Package” is available Jan. 1 - Feb. 15, 2004, and
includes deluxe accommodations, breakfast for two and 18 holes of golf per
day on the Grande Dunes golf course with cart. (For reservations, please
call the hotel directly and ask for the golf desk.)

Myrtle Beach is widely regarded as one of the country`s premier golf
destinations, and the Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort at Grande Dunes
provides access to one of the area`s finest courses. The Golf Village at
Grande Dunes features a challenging 18-hole championship layout that has
the distinction of being the longest in the state. The course has been
recognized by Golf magazine as one of America`s top new courses and
provides panoramic views of the waterway, maritime forest and the Atlantic
Ocean. Non-golfers will enjoy the Tennis Club at Grande Dunes, which
features ten Har-Tru tennis courts, pro shop, swimming pool and fitness
center. Other area attractions include Myrtle Waves Water Park, Ripley`s
Aquarium, outlet shopping and a full-service marina with charter fishing
boats, jet-ski and kayak rentals, and parasailing.

The Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort at Grande Dunes is situated just ten
miles north of Myrtle Beach International Airport in the 2,200-acre,
plantation-style Grande Dunes resort and residential community. The
property features Mediterranean-inspired architecture and offers an
oceanfront day spa, Caribbean-style beachfront pool with waterslide, and
the first two-tiered infinity pool in South Carolina. An indoor pool is
also available.
Ideal for both business and social occasions, the Myrtle Beach Marriott
Resort at Grande Dunes is the area`s only world-class convention facility
located on the Atlantic Ocean. The property offers 45,500 square feet of
meeting space, including the 15,000-square-foot Atlantic ballroom,
accommodating up to 1,600 people for receptions and 1,200 for sit-down
banquets. Also available is the 5,300-square-foot Oleander ballroom, two
conference rooms and two executive boardrooms. An open-air, oceanfront
courtyard is an ideal setting for cocktail receptions and large group get-
togethers. Technological capabilities include wireless high-speed internet
access in all meeting rooms and public spaces. A full-service business
center is also available to meet guests` needs.

Guest rooms are tastefully appointed and feature the signature “Marriott
Bed,” with quilted-top mattresses, upgraded down blankets, oversized
comforters and feather pillows. Most provide views of the ocean, and
amenities include two-line telephones, cordless phone, voice mail and data
ports, high-speed internet access, cable television with pay-per-view
movies, in-room coffee and tea service, hair dryer, iron and ironing
board, and work desk with ergonomic desk chair. A concierge level with
upgraded amenities and private lounge serving daily continental breakfast
and cocktails is also available.

The Oceanfront Grande Cafe is open daily serving upscale American cuisine
for breakfast, lunch and dinner. An oceanfront lounge serves refreshments
and snacks, and a pool bar is open in season. Other hotel features include
a 24- hour fitness center, gift shop, guest laundry and laundry valet
service.
For more information or reservations, contact the Myrtle Beach Marriott
Resort at Grande Dunes directly at (843) 449-8880, call the Marriott
Worldwide Reservations Center at (800) 455-8254, or visit the Marriott web
site at http://www.marriott.com/. Marriott Hotels & Resorts properties
participate in the company`s award-winning Marriott Rewards(R) frequent
guest program. Members earn their choice of points toward free vacations
or frequent flyer mileage for dollars spent at more than 2,300 Marriott
hotels worldwide.

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. is a leading worldwide hospitality company
with over 2,600 lodging properties in the United States and 68 other
countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises
hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance,
Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill
Suites and Ramada International brand names; develops and operates
vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club International,
Horizons, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Marriott Grand Residence Club brands;
operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate
housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference
centers. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., has
approximately 128,000 employees, and was ranked as the lodging industry`s
most admired company and one of the best places to work for by FORTUNE(R).
For more information or reservations, please visit the web site at
http://www.marriott.com/. Marriott editorial, based on news release distributed by PR Newswire.

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