These additions will bring the brand's China presense to 59 properties - 22,489 rooms.

Marriott International will expand its China portfolio with 18 new hotels now through 2012, nine of which are being announced today.

When all 18 hotels are opened, the Marriott International portfolio in China will encompass  59 hotels providing a total 22.489 rooms, spanning six lodging brands—JW Marriott in the luxury tier, Marriott and Renaissance in the upscale segment, Courtyard by Marriott for the upper-moderate segment and Marriott Executive Apartments for upscale extended stay travelers.  All properties operate under long-term management contracts.

"We are thrilled by the continued growth of our hotel portfolio in China," said Ed Fuller, president & managing director of international lodging for Marriott International.  "In just 11 short years, we have been able to significantly grow our presence in mainland China in primary urban centers and now we are expanding our reach into secondary markets and territories throughout the country. Thanks to our diverse brands portfolio, we are providing consumers with a wide choice in accommodations in terms of the type of hotel travel experience selected and the price paid." 

Announced today are nine properties which will open in Nanjing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Huizhou, Suzhou and Beijing.  Additional hotels are under construction in the following Chineses cities and territories:  Shenzhen, Beijing, Hangzhou, Macao, Hong Kong and Guangzhou.

Marriott International's global pipeline of hotels in development or under construction stands at just over 130,000. Of those, 55,000 are already under construction; over 60 percent of the company's pipeline of full-service rooms is located outside of North America.