Just Marriott

With the marriage to Starwood now complete, Marriott has become the world’s largest hotel company. Rajeev Menon, COO, Asia Pacific (excluding Greater China), Marriott International, reveals what’s in store.

- Shafquat Ali

Nearly a year after the deal was announced, Marriott International and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide are finally married, creating the largest hotel company in the world. The new, blended family offers more than 5,700 properties with 1.1 million rooms in more than 110 countries managed by 500,000-plus associates.

Now that acquisition is complete, it is up to think tanks like Rajeev Menon, chief operating officer, Asia Pacific (excluding Greater China), Marriott International, to see that the largest hotel company in the world with the strongest loyalty programme and most comprehensive portfolio of brands makes good on its promise to be the best in their respective markets. More to the point, they need to deliver higher profits for shareholders, better results for partners, greater opportunities for associates and, yes, superior guest experience for customers.

Marriage of two cultures 

Even though the InterContinental Hotels Group acquired boutique chain Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants last year, AccorHotels purchased the Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel brands this year and Destination Hotels and Commune Hotels have merged, these acquisitions pale in comparison with Marriott’s acquisition of its archrival chain for roughly $13 billion.

As a company, Marriott is not new to mergers but none of its past acquisitions – whether it be the history luxury brand Ritz-Carlton or the Renaissance or, for that matter, Canadian hospitality chain Delta Hotels or South African brand Protea Hotels – match the scale of this merger. In fact, nothing of this magnitude has been attempted in the hospitality industry in recent times.