Santa Monica, Calif. ranks as one of the United States� premiere destinations, with a desirable location, optimal climate and miles of beautiful beaches. In 2000, Le Merigot Beach Hotel and Spa opened its doors at 1740 Ocean Avenue, as the last city-approved coastal development in Santa Monica. Reminiscent of the fine hotels on France�s Cote d�Azur, Le Merigot blends European elegance with the vibrant lifestyle of Southern California. The property�s subtle design and presentation of European elegance stands in direct contrast to the more traditional beach dwellings that the property neighbors, and has helped Le Merigot distinguish itself from the competition as the only Mobil �Four Star� and AAA �Four Diamond� recipient in Santa Monica.

Dedicated to providing superior accommodations and first-class, personalized services, each of the hotel�s 175-guest rooms and suites are elegant, sophisticated and above all, comfortable. Business travelers will appreciate the generously scaled desk, the large work area and the oversized lounge chairs that are perfect for relaxing between meetings. In addition to the hotel�s self-service business center, each room features dual phone lines, high-speed Internet access and, upon request, a fax machine.

For rest and relaxation, Le Merigot offers guests rooms with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean or the Santa Monica Mountains. Amenities included are terry cloth robes and slippers; a bed made with Frette Italian linen and luxurious feather beds, pillows and duvets. Plus, in-room dining is always available. On the pool level, across a checkerboard slate landing, the natural essence and tranquility of the beach is ingeniously captured in the design and d�cor of The Spa Le Merigot. The inherent elements of the land, the ocean, and the mountains combine to create an airy, open setting in which guests can luxuriate in a serene environment. Dedicated to relaxation and rejuvenation, the 6,500-square-foot spa is the perfect haven for the weary traveler or the harried executive. Guests can enjoy a myriad of facial and body treatments under the skillful hands of experienced skincare specialists inside one of the eight tranquil treatment rooms or poolside, in a private cabana.

Whether the mood is romantic, the motivation is to impress clients, or the occasion to celebrate with friends, Le Merigot�s dining options offer visitors a superior selection of culinary choices, that satisfies the eclectic tastes of its diverse clientele. Le Troquet, a charming lobby lounge is the perfect place to meet friends or colleagues and enjoy cocktails, hors d�oeuvres, or a cigar. For fine dining, C�zanne serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. Executive Chef Desi Szonntagh has created a menu offering a selection of savory California cuisine with French accents. The restaurant also offers an exceptional international wine selection that will truly enhance the dining experience. In-room dining offers a menu of food and beverages that is available 24-hours a day for those who wish to dine in the comfort and privacy of their own room.

Le Merigot�s attention to detail is its strong suit. A counter marketing approach to the business and resort traveler is one of unexpected crispness, superior service, bright, contemporary design and sophisticated food and beverage choices. The Los Angeles Times in a recent comparison of Santa Monica hotels said, �The service was better than at the three counterparts.�

This accolade also echoes some of the things that Le Merigot is not. It is not a convention style hotel built to house thousands of guests. Le Merigot�s boutique-style setting is not casual, �shabby chic� either. It is not dark and ominous, painfully reaching into the past. Le Merigot, instead is designed to be shoulder to shoulder with the new century.

Perhaps this is why the entertainment industry is quickly adopting Le Merigot as its �home away from home.� Sela Ward of �Once & Again� was the first Hollywood star to sleep in a Le Merigot bed and have a photo shoot from a Deluxe Ocean View suite. Other celebrities who have luxuriated in Le Merigot�s �heavenly beds� sandwiched between 2,000 down feathers include Shanna Moakler and Amy Hunter-Cornelius of �Pacific Blue,� Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke, and Bruce Willis, who has visited with his dog in tow. David Hasselhoff enjoyed Easter Brunch at C�zanne and Sean Penn�s brother, Chris, stopped by for drinks at Le Troquet, Le Merigot�s lobby bar. Harvey Keitel and the �Nailed� feature film production crew used Le Merigot�s prime seaside location for one of their shoots, and Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston have received treatments at The Spa Le Merigot.

Additional star sojourners spotted at Le Merigot and The Spa include Courtney Cox, Robert Conrad, Bob Saget, Gladys Knight, Hal Linden, James Gardener, Anthony Hopkins, Suzanne Somers, Ed Begley, Jr., Keanu Reeves, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Ron Howard, Lakers Shaquille O�Neil, Samaki Walker, and Brian Shaw, as well as the Edmonton Oilers Hockey Team. Le Merigot is where they, and other guests, come to relax by the pool across an expansive checkerboard slate courtyard, unwind in The Spa Le Merigot, congregate at Le Troquet bar, attend special events or dine in C�zanne.

Le Merigot is one of the more affordable Santa Monica�s famous beach resorts, and its inventory of rooms views from the ocean to city to courtyard provide a variety of options for guests. For discerning guests who prefer comfort without sacrificing sophistication and intimacy, Le Merigot offers an upbeat energy and top-drawer amenities without breaking the bank. The horseshoe-shaped design of the property maximizes the view of the Pacific horizon and the Santa Monica pier while taking into account the restoration of a 1920�s apartment building that is directly west of the hotel. Le Merigot�s elegance can be found in its sand and rust veined Alabaster marble, imported African Fiddleback anagre wood, overstuffed harlequin and petite floral upholstery, Frette Italian linen, stem crystal and cotton pique robes.

More importantly, Le Merigot�s warmth is found in its people, the excellent service and its broad sweeping sun-washed vistas.

Le Merigot Beach Hotel and Spa is located nine miles north of Los Angeles International Airport. The hotel features 175 luxury guest accommodations, including 15 suites; a 6,500-square-foot spa and health club; the elegant C�zanne restaurant; and 10,000 square feet of event and meeting space, which provide a unique setting for conferences, board meetings and banquets. The hotel is located at 1740 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, Calif. Reservations for Le Merigot can be made by calling Marriott toll free at 1-888-539-7899 or online at www.LeMerigotHotel.com or www.Marriott.com.

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE:MAR) is a leading lodging company with nearly 2,800 lodging properties in the United States and 69 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites, Ramada International and Bulgari 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., and has approximately 128,000 employees. In fiscal year 2003, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $9 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com