- The Marriott Hotel empire started with a root beer stand in Washington DC in 1927 when John Willard Marriott felt the people of the city needed a place to get a cool drink
- The Key Bridge Marriott in Rosslyn, VA, is the second hotel opened in 1959 and the longest continually operating Marriott
- In 1995, Marriott became the first hotel chain to offer online reservations
- In July 2006, all U.S. and Canadian Marriott properties became non-smoking
- Because John Willard Marriott was Mormon, Marriotts include the Book of Mormon as well as the Bible in all rooms
- Between 1976 and 1984 Marriott developed plans for 3 American History theme parks, of which 2 were opened, but quickly sold
