Stylish Bethesda Marriott Celebrates 30th Anniversary with New Hotel Renovations

Bethesda, Md. – June 17, 2009 — Bethesda Marriott, Maryland's first full service Marriott branded hotel, marks its 30th anniversary with the completion of a $15 million hotel renovation. Virtually a "new" 407-room Bethesda hotel, the milestone was celebrated by VIP customers and Marriott executives including David Marriott, vice president, Marriott Eastern Region and Steven Marriott, executive vice president, Marriott Culture. First opened in 1979 in Bethesda, Maryland, the hotel is managed by Marriott for the CMG Bethesda Owner, LLC.

"For 30 years, the Bethesda Marriott Pooks Hill has been a centerpiece in this growing community providing Marriott's legendary service to travelers from across the globe," said Brian Hilger, general manager, Bethesda Marriott. "Today, we're very excited to welcome both our loyal and new guests to this totally re-invented, high-tech and stylish hotel."

The hotel's recent renovations include a redesign with a look and feel that is warm and inviting. All hotel guest-rooms come equipped with a 32-inch high-definition LG® plasma screen television and Marriott's plug-in panel (www.plugintomarriott.com) that provides customers with multi-tasking abilities through versatile multimedia usage. Semi-private seating nooks around the lobby allow guests to socialize, work and play. With WiFi through out the lobby, hotel guests can upload and work on their personal laptops or unplug and kick up their feet on oversized ottomans and relax in front flat screen high-def televisions.

Ideally located near the NIH and downtown Bethesda, MD, the Bethesda Marriott is ideal for business and social occasions, offering a total of 18,500 square feet of updated meeting space. Hotel meeting space includes a 4,592 square-foot Grand Ballroom and 27 flexible breakout rooms. Technological capabilities include high-speed Wifi access in all meeting rooms and a state-of-the-art audio visual system. A 24-hour business center is also available at the hotel to meet guests' needs.

For dining and entertaining in downtown Bethesda, the hotel is home to Agio, a contemporary casual, restaurant and bar featuring rustic, regional Italian cuisine and cocktails. Agio serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Standout menu items include pancetta wrapped shrimp, zucchini gnocchi with eggplant ragu; veal scallopine with lemon-thyme linguini, and eggplant and goat cheese stacks with pomodoro sauce. Agio's wine menu features a good mix of California and Italian wines, both big-label and boutique, moderately priced. Over 25 wines are offered by the glass. Guests can also sip on Agio's Tuscan inspired cocktails such as the Lemoncello Mojito, Campari Cosmo, and Bellini Martini.

The hotel is located just minutes from vibrant downtown Bethesda's myriad of galleries and restaurant destinations; and is close to area companies such as FDA, IBM, Lockheed Martin, Kaiser Permanente and the National Institute of Health (NIH). Downtown Washington, DC is accessible from the Washington, DC Metro, Reagan National, BWI and Dulles Airports.

With world-class shopping, dining, and cultural venues within a short distance, Bethesda Marriott Hotel guests are sure to enjoy their stay at our metro Washington DC hotel whether it be for a DC weekend getaway, business and leisure travel, a wedding or social affair, or a corporate function. For more information about this newly renovated hotel in Bethesda or for hotel reservations, call the Bethesda Marriott at 301-897-9400 or 1-800-228-9290, contact the Marriott Worldwide Reservations Center at (888) 364-1200, or visit the hotel's web site at www.bethesdamarriott.com.