JW Marriott Debuts in Japan's Beautiful Ancient Capital with the Opening of JW Marriott Nara

Tokyo, Japan- JW Marriott, part of Marriott International Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR), today announced the opening of JW Marriott Nara in Japan. The opening marks the first international luxury hotel brand to open in Nara as well as the debut of JW Marriott in Japan. Located a short distance from the renowned Nara Park, the hotel is an ideal starting point to visit the many attractions throughout the city. Through locally inspired design, JW Marriott Nara integrates its tranquil natural surroundings into an overall aesthetic that showcases the beauty of the destination.

Nara has long been celebrated as the birthplace of Japanese culture and it was the first capital of Japan back 1,300 years ago. The city sits in an idyllic area in Japan's central Honshu island, surrounded by rolling hills and lush forests. Its beautifully preserved historic temples and monuments attract over a million visitors every year. Osaka International Airport is approximately 75 kilometers away, making this location easily accessible to both domestic and overseas travelers. Nara today is home to a UNESCO World Heritage site which encompasses 20 historic temples and shrines venues, including the iconic Todai-ji Temple, Kofuki-ji Temple, Yakushi-ji Temple and Kasuga-taisha Shrine. The city is also famous for the tame herds of deer that roam freely through its streets.

We are very excited to celebrate the opening of JW Marriott Nara, said Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific (excluding Greater China), Marriott International. The entry of the JW Marriott brand into the Japanese market is a very significant milestone for us, marking Marriott International's 50th property in Japan. This debut represents our commitment to our company's expanding presence in Japan to serve the needs of both domestic and international travelers visiting this beautiful region.

Conceptualized by global design firm GA Group of London, the hotel's architectural elements honor the city's natural beauty and heritage and give the hotel a true sense of place. Timber beams above the lobby space reflect the distinctive features found in the temples and homes of Nara. A linear fireplace in the lobby evokes the city's annual Yamayaki Fire Festival. Behind the reception area, a fabric backdrop depicts the hills that surround Nara woven in gold thread. Throughout the hotel, patterned carpets are reminiscent of the surrounding landscapes, such as the reflections of the rain pools in Nara's hillsides.

The hotel features 158 guestrooms including 16 luxurious suites featuring warm tones of timber, bronze and leather as found in the traditional homes of Nara. Sculptural representations of deer antlers hang over the sumptuous guestroom beds, echoing the recurring motif of the iconic Nara deer that can be found throughout the hotel.

Dining at JW Marriott Nara becomes a treat for all the senses, with an array of local and international cuisines within exceptional settings. Silk Road Dining is the hotel's all-day dining venue featuring an open kitchen and design details incorporating elements from the ancient maritime Silk Road, of which the city of Nara was the final destination. Specialty restaurant Azekura offers three distinctive styles of Japanese cuisine teppanyaki, sushi and kaiseki in a contemporary space inspired by the artefacts of the eighth-century Emperor Shomus treasure house. Flying Stag is the hotel lobby lounge and bar, where a large abstract sculpture of a stag becomes a striking focal point on the wall.

Within the hotels landscaped grounds, JW Garden is a plant-filled space where guests can harvest fresh herbs and greens to be incorporated into their menu choices and craft cocktails at the bar. A luxurious Executive Lounge, set away from the more social areas of the hotel, offers a comfortable space in which to catch up on work or enjoy a quiet chat over drinks and light snacks.

The hotel offers a 24-hour fitness center and indoor swimming pool, as well as a luxurious Spa by JW. The Spa, in natural timber and stone, reimagines the peaceful calm of the nearby temples and features an inviting menu of treatments including massages, facials and therapy baths for the ultimate in relaxation and rejuvenation.

JW Marriott Nara is set to become the preferred venue in Nara for meetings, weddings and other events. A Ballroom and four customizable meeting rooms lead off from the main lobby via a dramatic Grand Staircase, and collectively offer 640 square meters of event space. Along with a dedicated events team to ensure a seamless occasion, the hotel also offers a bespoke JW Wellness Break program during meetings, which provides participants with mindfulness exercises and activities to re-energize and enhance focus.

JW Marriott welcome travelers with The JW Treatment, our brand philosophy which affirms that true luxury is created by people who are passionate about what they do, said Jennie Toh, Vice President - Brand, Asia Pacific, Marriott International. JW Marriott Nara offers authentic experiences with its stunning design, outstanding dining options and elevated service. Through our holistic brand programming, we empower our guests to focus on reclaiming a total mind-and-body wellness as they explore this wonderful destination.

For more information, please visit: https://www.marriott.com.au/hotels/travel/osajw-jwmarriott-hotel-nara

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About JW Marriott Hotels Resorts

JW Marriott is part of Marriott Internationals luxury portfolio of brands and consists of beautiful properties and distinctive resort locations around the world. The impressive array of award-winning hotels cater to sophisticated, mindful travelers seeking The JW Treatment the brand's philosophy that true luxury is created by people who are passionate about what they do. These experiences help guests to be fully present, foster connections and feed the soul. Inspired by the principles of mindfulness, JW Marriott is a haven designed to allow guests to focus on feeling whole present in mind, nourished in body, and revitalized in spirit through programs and offerings that encourage them to come together, act with intention and experience every moment to the fullest. Today there are over 85 JW Marriott hotels in more than 25 countries and territories. Visit JW Marriott online, and on Instagram and Facebook. JW Marriott is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the new name of Marriotts travel program replacing Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards, and Starwood Preferred Guest(SPG). The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including earning points toward free hotel stays and nights toward Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com.

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About Marriott International

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompassesa portfolio of more than 7,000 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 132 countries andterritories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all aroundthe world. The company now offers one travel program, Marriott Bonvoy,replacing Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards, and Starwood PreferredGuest(SPG). For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latestcompany news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and@MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.