J.W. Marriott: Hotelier and Founder of Marriott International
Few people can claim to embark on a revolutionary enterprise, shaking the foundations of the hospitality industry and leaving a legacy of achievements that continue to benefit millions of people all over the world. J.W. Marriott, the founder of Marriott International, is an iconic leader in the world of hospitality, having established one of the largest and most successful hotel chains on the planet.
Early Life and Career
John Willard Marriott Sr., commonly known as J.W., was born in Ogden, Utah, in 1900. The son of a Mormon blacksmith and farmer, Marriott followed in his father’s footsteps, taking on work in agriculture. He was also an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish with his wife and boasted a lifelong commitment to the Boy Scouts of America.
Though Marriott enjoyed outdoor pursuits, it was his business aptitude that seized his attention. In 1927, at the age of 27, he opened a nine-stool root beer stand in Washington, D.C. The Hot Shoppe, as the restaurant was called, achieved so much success that it earned him the nickname “root beer baron.”
Soon after that, Marriott decided to expand into the hospitality industry and opened his first hotel — the Twin Bridges Marriott Motor Hotel — in Arlington, Virginia. Soon enough, however, solely managing a single hotel wasn’t enough.
Marriott International is Born
With a keen focus on quality service, family values and strong customer relations, Marriott opened additional hotels and began to focus on franchising. This ensured that the quality of service across Marriott hotels remained highly consistent, and it earned him a great reputation in the hospitality industry.
In 1957, Marriott and Hot Shoppes, Inc. merged and transformed into Marriott Corporation, a publicly traded company. Thanks to the efforts of J.W. Marriott, the hospitality group had built a portfolio of more than 500 hotels, 400 restaurants and an aviation services business. In fact, Marriott Corporation became the largest hospitality company in the country.
In 1993, Marriott Corporation changed its name to Marriott International and remained at the top of the hotel industry for the next 25 years.
The Marriotts Today
The success of Marriot International continues to this day, with J.W.’s son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Donna Marriott, leading the way. Under the family, headquarters have moved from the Washington, D.C. area to Bethesda, Maryland. They continue to introduce new products and services, such as the Marriott Rewards loyalty program, while remaining true to their original mission: taking good care of people.
They also remain active in the community, donating millions of dollars to a wide range of charitable causes. With more than 7,000 properties in over 130 countries and territories, Marriott International is a shining example of the success and legacy of the Marriott family.
Achievements and Legacy
J.W. Marriott has achieved many successes throughout his life. Even before establishing Marriott International, he was already a successful entrepreneur having founded Hot Shoppes, Inc. After launching Marriott Corporation, his business interests quickly expanded and he shaped the hospitality industry into what it is today.
He was the first in the world to offer the television in guestrooms, to offer automated restaurants and to create roadside restaurants serving up breakfast food all day. J.W. Marriott also played a major role in the development of modern vacation ownership, introducing resort condominiums, now commonly referred to as timeshares.
In addition, Marriott was also involved in many philanthropic and educational efforts, having financed several colleges, universities, junior high schools and elementary schools. In 1974, he and his wife, Alice, established the Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities, helping to change and improve the lives of individuals with disabilities.
As for his legacy, the Marriott name is easily recognizable in the hospitality field and the company continues to grow and expand its services. The company remains a leader in terms of innovation, continually introducing new products, technologies and services to give customers the best experience possible. From J.W.’s humble roots, Marriott International is now the world’s largest hotel company, operating over 7,000 properties in more than 130 countries and territories.
J. W. Marriott was an icon of the hospitality industry, leaving behind an incredible legacy that continues to this day. From a nine-stool root beer stand to an international hospitality powerhouse, J.W. Marriott did the impossible, revolutionizing the industry and leaving an extraordinary mark on the world. His commitment to providing high-quality services and donations to charitable causes are still remembered by many. Therefore, his legacy will continue to resonate in the hospitality industry.
