CHENGDU, CHINA - April 8, 2013 - The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu was this month named 2013's "Most Anticipated Opening Hotel" by at both the China Hotel Starlight Awards and the China MICE Golden Chair Awards. The hotly-anticipated hotel is set to open in late summer of this year.

Referred to as the "Oscars" of the Chinese hotel industry, the China Hotel Starlight Awards have been held annually since 2006 and recognize market-leading hotel brands and property owners which make substantial contributions to the country's hotel industry.

Hosted concurrently by MICE Magazine, the China MICE Golden Chair Awards aim to improve the sophistication of the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferencing, and exhibition) sector by promoting industry best practices and innovations.

"We are thrilled to receive such prestigious recognition before we even commence operations," said Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu General Manager Chris Clark. "As The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company's flagship in western China, we look forward to providing luxury experiences for visitors exploring Sichuan's undeniable charm and potential."

The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu will overlook Tianfu Square in the heart the provincial capital. The hotel will feature 353 rooms, including 55 suites. Food & Beverage options will include three restaurants including an elegant Cantonese Restaurant with eight private dining rooms; Flair, a lifestyle restaurant and bar after The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong's eponymous establishment and an all-day dining restaurant. A contemporary lobby lounge will act as a gathering point and tea lounge. Meeting spaces will include a Grand Ballroom, Junior Ballroom and seven additional meeting rooms totaling 1,716 square meters of function space. The hotel will be fully equipped with a luxury spa, indoor swimming pool with underwater music and high-tech fitness center.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., of Chevy Chase, Md., currently operates 81 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. More than 30 hotel and residential projects are under development around the globe. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, an award that originated in 1987. Its purpose is to promote the awareness of quality excellence, recognize quality achievements of companies and publicize successful quality strategies. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company won the award in 1992 and 1999. For more information, or reservations, contact a travel professional, call toll free in the U.S. 1-800-241-3333, or visit the company web site at www.ritzcarlton.com. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR).

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R&F Centre (Pre-opening office)

No. 269 Shuncheng Avenue, Qingyang District

Chengdu, Sichuan, China 610000

Tel: (86 28) 87610317

Email: Michele.lv@ritzcarlton.com