MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- Less than two years after opening its doors, Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort at Grande Dunes has been honored with the prestigious 2006 AAA Four Diamond(R) rating and was recently named #33 in Conde Nast Traveler's Top 100 Golf Resorts, ranking higher than any property in South Carolina.

"We are delighted to be one of only two hotels in Myrtle Beach to be awarded this distinction," says General Manager Brian Hockenbury. "Everyone at the hotel has worked tirelessly to provide a seamless and stellar experience for our many leisure and group guests."

Myrtle Beach's only oceanfront Four Diamond(R) resort achieved these admirable recognitions by surpassing AAA's ratings criteria on service and standards, symbolizing their commitment to superior quality. Sharing this distinction with elite Marriott properties such as Desert Springs, JW Marriott Resort & Spa and JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes, Myrtle Beach Marriott underwent a rigorous evaluation process along with more than 57,000 other properties, of which 3.4 percent receive Four Diamond status. Essentials of the Four Diamond rating include a high degree of hospitality, service and attention to detail. Areas under meticulous inspection consist of physical attributes, professionalism of management and staff, amenities, guest service, ambiance and training.

David E, Parsons, president and CEO of AAA Carolinas, states, "AAA's requirements for a Four Diamond rating are rigorous and those that win it are among the best hotels and restaurants in the world."

Situated within the 2,200-acre plantation-style Grande Dunes resort and residential community, this $60 million resort features Mediterranean-inspired architecture, 45,500 square feet of meeting space, an 8,000 square-foot spa, three swimming pools, including one indoor pool and South Carolina's first infinity-edged outdoor pool, three dining options and a host of attractions and activities within reach.

The Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort at Grande Dunes is located at 8400 Costa Verde Drive. For more information contact the Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort at Grande Dunes directly at (843) 449-8880. For reservations call the Marriott Worldwide Reservations Center at (800) 644-2881, or visit the resort's Web site at www.myrtlebeachmarriottresort.com. Marriott Hotels & Resorts properties participate in the company's award-winning Marriott Rewards(R) frequent guest program. Members earn their choice of points toward free vacations or frequent flyer mileage that can be redeemed at more than 2,300 Marriott hotels worldwide.

The Four Diamond awards are given annually by AAA to qualified hotels and restaurants in North America. More than 1,800 properties nationally earn the Four Diamond ratings after full-time specially trained evaluators conduct anonymous overnight stays or dine incognito. Each restaurant and lodging that receives any diamond rating from AAA after a free evaluation is listed free in AAA's TourBooks that are distributed free to any of the organization's 48 million members nationwide.

An affiliate of the American Automobile Association, AAA Carolinas was founded in 1922 as a not-for-profit organization that now serves nearly 1.5 million members with travel, automobile and insurance and services and is an advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.

Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) is a leading lodging company with more than 2,600 lodging properties in the United States and 65 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, Renaissance, Bulgari, The Ritz-Carlton, Courtyard, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites, TownePlace Suites, and Fairfield Inn brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club International, Horizons, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Marriott Grand Residence Club brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C. It is ranked as the lodging industry's most admired company and one of the best places to work for by Fortune(R) magazine. In fiscal year 2004, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $10 billion, and the company had approximately 133,000 employees at year-end 2004. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com.

Contacts
Myrtle Beach Marriott at Grande Dunes
Cindy Hull, 843-692-3709
chull@marriottsales.com