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Marriott: Starwood Brands Will Stay Intact

Following an acquisition, Marriott says it intends to keep nearly all of Starwood Hotels brands.

Around the middle of this year, Marriott will complete an acquisition of Starwood Hotels and Resorts to the tune of $12.2 billion. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that Starwood employees will be out of a job — the company’s CEO expects nearly all brands to stay functional under the Marriott umbrella.

“Marriott has made clear that their top priority as we integrate our companies is talent and their number one focus is people,” Starwood CEO Thomas Mangas said in a letter to hotel owners, reported by the Stamford Advocate. “They understand that there is anxiety in both organizations and among stakeholders like you. They plan to move quickly to make decisions and resolve uncertainty. They also recognize that they will need Starwood talent to facilitate new capabilities, fill new positions and to respond to the volume, scale and complexity that comes from creating a much larger business.”

Mangas is optimistic and thinks “most, if not all” of Starwood’s brands will stay on. He is spending much of his time throughout this merger going to bat for employees and making sure everyone gets what they need.

Marriott announced the merger back in November, with these comments from J.W. Marriott, the executive chairman and chairman of the board of Marriott International: “We have competed with Starwood for decades and we have also admired them. I’m excited we will add great new hotels to our system and for the incredible opportunities for Starwood and Marriott associates. I’m delighted to welcome Starwood to the Marriott family.”

[Photo illustration: Annamarie Hudson]

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6 Comments
S
Sabai February 19, 2016

Marriott (like Delta, American, and United) will keep lying to customers of the acquired company so as not to spook them. The devaluations will continue apace; if Marriott wanted a competitive loyalty program, Marriott Rewards would not be as crappy as it is.

A
acardio February 16, 2016

I love Starwood and the SPG point system, but am ready to hop over full force to IHG if anything starts going awry.

K
KENNECTED February 12, 2016

I agree with WingTipflyer1. This is all pre merger lip service. AKA BS!

J
jallred6 February 12, 2016

Perhaps the brands may stay, but the better benefits of the SPG program over Marriott? I'd guess not, and that's why I (Starwood Platinum 100) status-matched to Hyatt Diamond as soon as the merger was announced.

W
Wingtipflyer1 February 11, 2016

Brands stay for now like CLE would remain a hub under UA, MEM under DL. Time will tell. Hope Marriott keeps things calm and try's to improve w/ add'l benefits like integration of 4pm checkout for Plats.