Shanghai, China – November 2, 2016 – St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR), today announced Bao Bao Wan, the renowned fine jewelry designer, as its inaugural St. Regis Connoisseur in China. In her role as brand ambassador, Wan will create two jewelry designs inspired by the brand, as well as provide her unique and modern fashion perspective for St. Regis guests around the world. The first design, an exquisite pin, will be debuted at the first ever Butler Award Ceremony, to commemorate the dedication and service excellence provided by the St. Regis butlers in the Greater China region. The second design, which will embody the brand's signature offerings, is scheduled to be launched in conjunction with the projected grand opening of The St. Regis Shanghai Jingan in 2017.

“We are delighted to announce Bao Bao Wan as our St. Regis Connoisseur. One of the most sought after fine jewelry designers in China, her aesthetic is one that acknowledges and discovers beauty in tradition, while still being outspoken and modern in sensibility, a spirit found at each and every St. Regis around the world,” said Fay-Linn Yeoh, Brand Director, St. Regis and The Luxury Collection, Asia Pacific. “Design is an integral part of our legacy and heritage, and we are thrilled to work with Bao Bao Wan to capture the modern day essence of the St. Regis brand in her designs.”

Born in Beijing, Wan is the granddaughter of the legendary Wan Li - former Chairman of the National People's Congress, and she was the first Chinese debutante ever to be invited to attend the famed Bal des Debutantes in Paris. Since founding her eponymous jewelry brand Bao Bao Wan Fine Jewelry in 2007, Wan has also secured her status as one of the most notable high-end jewelry designers in the country, with her work featured alongside industry greats such as Zaha Hadid, Stephen Webster and Patrick Mauboussin.

An authentic fan of St. Regis, Wan's deep-seated passion for the brand started during extended stays at The St. Regis New York and The St. Regis Beijing. Feeling as though no other hospitality brand offered the same level of service, St. Regis became her hotel of choice during her travels. “I've traversed the world in search of inspiration for my designs, and St. Regis hotels have always felt like a second home to me. I am constantly inspired by the intricate details in their architecture, decor and design, and have come to look forward to the personalized and noteworthy service that I get at every property,” said Wan. “I am honored to be working with St. Regis Hotels & Resorts to capture the essence of the brand through my designs.”

The appointment of Wan as the first ever Chinese St. Regis Connoisseur will bring the St. Regis brand closer to Chinese consumers, who are increasingly seeking unparalleled guest's experiences during their travels. To meet this demand, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts currently operates seven properties in the Greater China region across Beijing, Lhasa, Shenzhen, Sanya, Tianjin, Chengdu and Macau; with 10 more hotels anticipated in the pipeline to add to its fast growing presence in the market – including The St. Regis Changsha which is expected to open in December 2016 and The St. Regis Shanghai Jingan which is slated to debut early 2017 – these properties will set the standard for luxury in the market by providing discerning guests with memorable and personalized service experiences.

St. Regis has long partnered with ambassadors who share the brand's commitment to excellence and speak to the passions of its guests, while offering an authentic connection to the St. Regis legacy. Together with the other St. Regis Connoisseurs all over the world, such as fashion designer extraordinaire Jason Wu, jazz legend Jamie Cullum, Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig from Marchesa and celebrated polo player Nacho Figueras, this elite group of brand ambassadors further establishes St. Regis as an authority in the arts, style and design, philanthropy, as well as speed and sport – all passions of the St. Regis brand's global clientele.

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About St. Regis Hotels & Resorts

Combining classic sophistication with a modern sensibility, St. Regis is committed to delivering exceptional experiences at nearly 40 luxury hotels and resorts in the best addresses around the world. Since the opening of the first St. Regis hotel in New York City over a century ago by John Jacob Astor IV, the brand has remained committed to an uncompromising level of bespoke and anticipatory service for all of its guests, delivered flawlessly by signature St. Regis Butler Service. The ultra-luxury brand is set to expand its legacy to 50 hotels by 2018. For more information and new openings, visit stregis.com or follow Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. St. Regis is proud to participate in the industry's award-winning loyalty program, Starwood Preferred Guest®, in which members can link accounts with Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® for instant elite status matching and unlimited points transfer.

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is the world's largest hotel company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 5,700 properties in over 110 countries. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts. The company's 30 leading brands include: Bulgari®, The Ritz-Carlton® and The Ritz-Carlton Reserve®, St. Regis®, W®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, The Luxury Collection®, Marriott Hotels®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Renaissance® Hotels, Sheraton®, Delta Hotels by MarriottSM, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Tribute Portfolio™, Design Hotels™, Gaylord Hotels®, Courtyard®, Four Points® by Sheraton, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, Residence Inn®, TownePlace Suites®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Aloft®, Element®, Moxy® Hotels, and Protea Hotels by Marriott®. The company also operates award-winning loyalty programs: Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com and @MarriottIntl.

Punnee Bunma

Manager, Communications, Asia Pacific

(65) 9770-5234 mobile

Alethea Lam

Vice President, Communications, Asia Pacific

Ph: (65) 6335-4804

Daryl Pan

Specialist, Communications, Asia Pacific

Ph: (65) 6335-4879 / (65) 9831-1980 mobile