Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) will open its first hotel in Portugal tomorrow, rebranding the former Lisboa Penta Hotel to the Lisbon Marriott Hotel.

Owned by Mr. Jasim Albaker, the newly renovated, 577-room property is a 10-minute drive from Lisbon’s International Airport and historic downtown. The location is also close to the city’s financial district and conference center, as well as beaches, shops and one of Europe’s largest aquariums.

Introductory rates start at 159 Euros, or US$143, a night. All rooms and suites feature balconies with sweeping city views, large workspaces with Internet access, and feather down comforters and pillows.

Other amenities include six retail stores, a hair salon, a health club with saunas, an outdoor pool, 24-hour room service, a business center with administrative support, laundry delivery, a travel and limousine desk, and foreign currency exchange services.

For dining and entertainment, the property offers Citrus, where guests can enjoy Mediterranean cuisine and peaceful views of the hotel gardens and swimming pool and a pastry shop with an outdoor patio. In addition, the Lisbon Marriott Hotel has a lobby lounge with an outside terrace and a two-story themed pub, scheduled for completion by the end of next year.

For conferences and social events, the Lisbon Marriott Hotel has 1,850 square meters of flexible meeting space, including a 458-square-meter ballroom that is divisible into six sections and 14 additional meeting rooms. All are equipped with videoconferencing capabilities and the latest audiovisual equipment, along with trained technicians to provide set up assistance.

The general manager is Paul Downing and Ana Caetano manages public relations for the property.

The Lisbon Marriott Hotel, along with more than 2,000 Marriott-affiliated hotels worldwide, participates in Marriott Rewards. This acclaimed guest reward program allows members to earn their choice of points or airline miles during their stay.

Marriott International has experienced tremendous growth in Continental Europe since introducing its first hotel in Amsterdam 26 years ago. By the end of 2002, the company’s lodging portfolio in the region will feature 103 hotels, offering 23,582 rooms and encompassing five lodging brands in 17 countries.

For more information or reservations, contact a travel agent or call toll-free in local markets. Marriott-appointed general sales agents and the local Marriott Global Sales Offices can also provide assistance.

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