$396 Million Renovation Combines History With Modern Amenities in the Loop

Occupying legendary Chicago architect Daniel Burnham’s historic Continental & Commercial National Bank Building in Chicago’s bustling financial district, the JW Marriott Chicago will open November 11, 2010. The hotel represents the first JW Marriott branded hotel to open in Chicago. JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts is a luxury brand within the Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) global family of brands.

Featuring exquisite neoclassical design, the new JW Marriott Chicago hotel will offer travelers a one-of-a-kind authentic destination in Chicago’s downtown Loop district. Occupying the first 12 floors of the former Continental & Commercial National Bank Building at 151 W. Adams St., the hotel — part of a $396 million restoration spearheaded by architectural firm Lucien Lagrange & Associates — will boast 610 well-appointed guestrooms including 29 corner suites and more than 44,000-square-feet of meeting space; 36 meeting rooms, a beautiful 8,500-square-foot Grand Ballroom and the awe-inspiring 6,000-square-foot Burnham Ballroom featuring the building’s original domed ceiling.

“Make no little plans,” Burnham once said, and the hotel’s owners — which include The Prime Group, Inc., a Chicago-based development firm, and a German-based investment syndicate — took this to heart. In addition to spectacular meeting and function space, the property will feature a 20,000-square-foot world class spa and fitness center, VALEO; and two different dining options — The Florentine, an Italian Steakhouse created by the BLT Restaurant Group, and a lounge serving more casual plates and sushi.

“The JW Marriott Chicago will be a comprehensive urban destination offering guests exceptional luxury and convenience in the center of a vibrant city,” says General Manager Catherine Mrowiec. “Our guests will find everything they need right on property including luxurious guestroom and business amenities, spa and fitness facilities, casual and upscale dining options, and retail shopping.”

JW Marriott properties offer accomplished travelers a luxury travel experience with a distinct sense of place that appropriately reflects the genuine flavor of their surroundings. Guests will be impressed from the moment they step in from the bustling streets of downtown Chicago into the timeless, classical elegance of the hotel’s lobby. The soothing color palette and abundance of marble and other natural materials blend to create a timeless design, making the space a welcoming haven of comfort and productivity.

Throughout the property, staff will provide every convenience guests desire without being in the way. Whether it is room service after a late flight, catering in a meeting room, the use of the 24-hour executive business and fitness centers, laundry and dry cleaning services seven days a week or housekeeping always being on call — the hotel offers the highest level of personal service that guests deserve.

Guestrooms

JW Marriott Chicago’s 610 guestrooms will offer luxurious amenities to start the day or top off the night such as in-room coffee/tea or nightly turndown service and headboards equipped with reading lights. Guests will find space to spread out whether in the 455-square-foot double/king rooms or the 960-square-foot luxury suites. All rooms have 10-foot ceilings with handcrafted crown molding and spacious bathrooms clad in Italian marble, featuring stand alone tubs; separate marble showers; expansive mirrors; terry bathrobes and world class toiletries.

Forty-two inch flat-panel high-definition televisions with full IPTV access through the Roomlinx system, Marriott “Plug In Panel” A/V stations and Wi-Fi capabilities are standard, and all guestrooms will offer a well-stocked honor bar. This is the first JW Marriott-branded hotel to feature a full IPTV system with a personal computer that allows each guest full access to the Internet for business use or to stream their favorite TV program or movie.

For guests desiring additional amenities or extra space, the hotel will offer an executive level and three well-appointed specialty suites.

Meeting Space

With more than 44,000-square-feet of flexible meeting space spanning three floors, the JW Marriott Chicago is set to become a meetings and events center in the heart of downtown Chicago.

For business, two spacious ballrooms — 8,500-square-feet and 6,000-square-feet — paired with 36 breakout rooms of varying sizes, including five boardrooms. Wireless high-speed Internet and videoconferencing capabilities will be available in all rooms.

In addition, a Virtual Meetings by Marriott system featuring Cisco TelePresence technology will enable small groups to meet with colleagues around the world in real time. Other notable features include the availability of green meeting packages and customizable menus for meetings and events.

For weddings and social events, the dazzling Burnham Ballroom offers 6,000-square-feet of continuous space with no pillars or airwalls, plus the domed-ceiling from the original bank building, makes it a truly unparalleled venue.

Spa & Fitness Center

VALEO, the JW Marriott 20,000-square-foot spa is a first-of-its-kind wellness center combining fitness facilities, traditional and non-traditional spa services and myriad personal care options to both guests and Chicagoans alike. VALEO — the Latin meaning ‘to be strong, powerful, well, influential’ — reflects not only the name but the entire purpose behind the space.

VALEO will focus on lifestyle portability, and in no place will this be more evident than its trademarked Clarity Chamber™ — a modern approach based on ancient Greek and Roman bathing rituals or Turkish baths — inside the stone-appointed space, guests enter an atmosphere of complete warmth, where heat radiates through a working fireplace, warm benches and a central marble “belly” stone. Visitors are invited to lie down to fully absorb the radiant heat.

VALEO’s fitness center will feature all of the amenities expected from a world-class spa including cardio and circuit training equipment from Life Fitness and Hammersmith.

Attached to the fitness center, VALEO will feature a large pool for laps or casual bathing as well as the most therapeutic whirlpool in the Midwest. JW Marriott Chicago’s whirlpool features multiple stations of 90-PSI water jets to massage various orthopedic positions from the lower back to the neck.

In addition to traditional therapeutic and Swedish massage therapy treatments, VALEO will offer its exclusive GEMASSAGE™ services featuring corresponding crushed gemstones and herbal energy oils tailored to particular needs. For those days when a quick manicure, pedicure or massage is needed VALEO will also offer a 3,000-square-foot street-level space located directly above the spa featuring  more than a dozen unique hair, nail, skin and massage services available in under 30 minutes.  A full array of exclusive products and merchandise will also be sold.

Fine Dining

The Florentine, the hotel’s 125-seat three meal a day restaurant and the newest concept from internationally acclaimed BLT Restaurant Group, offers a seasonal and substantial menu of Italian-American fare with a distinct Chicago sensibility. Corporate Executive Chef Rodelio Aglibot and Executive Chef Todd Stein, of Sunda and mk fame respectively, showcase the top imported Italian pastas, cheeses, salts and meats as well as ingredients from local and organic farms.

Designed by DiLeonardo International, The Florentine will incorporate traditional materials in a modern way. Deep caramel-colored banquettes and walnut floors create a warm, lush interior without compromising clean design.  A palette of chocolate browns, offset by golden ambient lighting, suggests comfort and luxury. The airy front room is the perfect place for breakfast, lunch, or drinks and a light bite throughout the day.  An eye-catching 24-seat circular bar with bountiful antipasti display anchors the space.  In addition to the more formal 125-seat main dining room, the restaurant features a private dining room for up to 40 guests.

An adjacent, upscale bar will serve fine spirits and specialty beers as well as handcrafted fresh juice cocktails and an extensive list of wines from around the world.  For a more casual experience, the JW Marriott Chicago will offer a lobby lounge, catering to hotel guests and financial district business types alike. In all venues, menus will include a variety of light and healthy choices.

Individual room reservations will be available beginning November 11, 2010 with introductory rates from $179 – $329.

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, LLC, a subsidiary ofWyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN), today announced its expansion in the Orlando area with the addition of the full-service, 626-room Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort, an official Walt Disney World® hotel located inside the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Situated on 13 meticulously landscaped acres and only 17 miles from Orlando International Airport, Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort serves as an ideal home base for travelers visiting the area and its most popular attractions. The resort is centrally located within minutes of Walt Disney World’s famous theme parks, across the street from some of Orlando’s top shopping and entertainment in the Downtown Disney® area and only 10 minutes from SeaWorld Orlando and the Universal Orlando Resort.  Whether traveling for business or pleasure, the property offers everything guests need, from flexible meeting space and on-site event planners to the kid-friendly Oasis Aquatic Playground, Disney® Character Breakfast and on-site Director of Fun.

Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort, located at 1850 Hotel Plaza Boulevard, becomes the third Wyndham® hotel serving the Orlando area, joining sister properties Wyndham Orlando Resort on International Drive in Orlando and theReunion Resort and Club Wyndham Grand Resort in nearby Reunion, Florida. Formerly the Regal Sun Resort, the property is owned and operated by Rhode Island-basedThe Procaccianti Group, a second-generation, privately held real estate investment company which currently owns and operates or manages 64 hotels with approximately 17,000 guest rooms in 23 states.  The Procaccianti Group is one of the top five privately held owner/operators of hospitality assets in the United States.

“The Orlando area is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting countless families, groups and business travelers throughout the year,” said Jeff Wagoner, president of Wyndham Hotels and Resorts. “We are excited to welcome the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort to the Wyndham family and offer guests fun, family-friendly amenities and personalized services in a prime location. The resort will provide an outstanding choice for travelers seeking great activities and convenience at an exceptional value.”

Guest rooms and suites at the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort provide a variety of panoramic views overlooking the Walt Disney World Resort and its theme parks, Lake Buena Vista and the property’s tropical grounds. Each room and suite features classic furnishings, pillow-topper bedding, high-speed wireless Internet, pay-per-view movies and games, and an in-room safe and coffee maker.

Guests eager to meet their favorite Disney characters in person can do so before hitting the parks at the property’s Disney Character Breakfast. Available on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the resort’s Lakeview Restaurant, the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort is the only property in the Downtown Disney area or on Hotel Plaza Boulevard to host this popular event three times each week. Guests can indulge in a delicious breakfast buffet while mingling and taking photographs with Disney characters.

The resort’s Oasis Aquatic Playground provides a relaxing and recreational outdoor environment for guests of all ages.  The large pool with gradual “zero” entry features fun, interactive water features for kids, like spraying water cannons, while parents can enjoy the lap pool or hot tub, situated on a raised platform looking out over both pools and Lake Buena Vista.

The resort offers a variety of dining options at its on-site restaurants and bars. At the Lakeview Restaurant, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, guests can dine on fine cuisine in a relaxing atmosphere while taking in scenic lakefront views. Guests looking for a late bite to eat can find light, quick and casual fare at Sundial 24-7, which offers self-serve food and beverage items 24 hours a day. The poolside Oasis Bar & Grill, offering lunch and dinner daily, allows guests to enjoy casual outdoor dining while the Eclipse Bar and Horizons Bar provide convenient places to meet for evening cocktails or catch up on the latest sporting events.

Guests looking to plan and hold business meetings, weddings or other events in the Orlando area can find everything they need at Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort. The resort offers 19,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space, including a 12,000-square-foot ballroom and 15 elegantly-appointed banquet rooms accommodating up to 1,200 guests. State-of-the-art technology, including wireless Internet access and teleconferencing capabilities, is available on-site and the resort’s event and wedding planners can help plan every last detail.

Additional amenities include a children’s game area, where the resort’s Director of Fun provides creative playtime ideas for kids in a safe, supervised environment; complimentary shuttle service throughout the Walt Disney World Resort, theme parks and Downtown Disney; business center; on-site rental car desk and Disney® gift shop; and daily concierge service, where guests can purchase theme park tickets and get information on area attractions.

All Wyndham Hotels and Resorts guests can take advantage of Wyndham ByRequest®, the brand’s guest recognition program offering complimentary benefits including high-speed Internet access, personal choice of welcome snack and beverage, preferred pillow type, express check-in, guaranteed late check-out, local and long-distance calls, best available room upon arrival, photocopies, faxes and online receipts.

Wyndham ByRequest members also earn Wyndham Rewards® points, which can be redeemed for complimentary hotel stays, airline tickets, name-brand merchandise and dining and shopping gift cards, among other options. In lieu of points, members may elect to earn airline or rail miles with a variety of carriers. More information is available atwww.wyndhamrewards.com.