Who Owns The Ritz-Carlton?
The Ritz-Carlton is owned by Marriott International, a publicly traded American hospitality company. The Ritz-Carlton was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with Marriott International based in the same location.
Parent Company
Marriott International
Acquired
1995
Status
Private
Headquarters
Bethesda, Maryland, USA
Who Owns The Ritz-Carlton?
- Parent Company: Marriott International
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 1995
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NASDAQ: MAR
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| The Ritz-Carlton | Marriott International | Wholly owned |
History of The Ritz-Carlton
- Founded: 1983
- Founders: Marriott International
- Acquired by Marriott International: 1995
The Ritz-Carlton was founded in 1983 by Marriott International as a luxury hotel brand building on the legacy of the original Ritz Hotel in Paris. The brand was created to provide exceptional service quality and premium hospitality experiences for luxury travelers.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, The Ritz-Carlton expanded rapidly across North America and internationally, establishing itself as one of the world's most prestigious luxury hotel chains. The brand developed its reputation for exceptional service quality and operational excellence.
In 1995, Marriott International acquired The Ritz-Carlton, providing the brand with substantial financial resources and global distribution capabilities. The acquisition enabled The Ritz-Carlton to accelerate its global expansion while maintaining its luxury positioning and service standards.
Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, The Ritz-Carlton continued its growth, adding properties in major business centers, leisure destinations, and resort locations worldwide. The brand maintained its focus on exceptional service quality and luxury hospitality experiences.
About Marriott International
What does Marriott International own?
Marriott International owns and operates more than 30 hotel brands across luxury, premium, and select-service segments, including The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, W Hotels, JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels, Sheraton, Westin, Courtyard, Fairfield, Residence Inn, and Moxy. The company operates more than 9,000 properties in 141 countries. Marriott also owns the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program with 210+ million members.
Is Marriott International publicly traded?
Yes, Marriott International, Inc. is listed on NASDAQ under ticker MAR. The company has been publicly traded since 1953. The Marriott family retains a significant stake. Major institutional shareholders include Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street.
Who founded Marriott International?
Marriott was founded by J. Willard Marriott and his wife Alice Marriott, who opened a root beer stand in Washington, D.C. in 1927. The company entered the hotel business in 1957. J. Willard Marriott handed leadership to his son Bill Marriott in 1972. Marriott International was created in 1993 when Marriott Corporation split into two companies.
Where is Marriott International headquartered?
Marriott International is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, near Washington, D.C. The company operates more than 9,000 properties in 141 countries and territories worldwide.
How many hotels does Marriott operate?
As of early 2026, Marriott operates more than 9,000 properties across 30+ brands in 141 countries and territories. The company has a development pipeline of thousands of additional hotels under construction or in planning. Marriott's portfolio spans luxury resorts, business hotels, extended-stay properties, and budget hotels.
Who owns Marriott International?
Marriott International, Inc. is publicly traded on NASDAQ with a broad institutional and retail shareholder base. The Marriott family retains a significant but non-controlling stake. Major institutional shareholders include Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street. Anthony Capuano serves as President and CEO and David Marriott chairs the board.
- Founded: 1927
- Headquarters: Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NASDAQ: MAR
Where Is The Ritz-Carlton Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: Global luxury hotel locations
Brands Owned by Marriott International
- Element Skateboards - American skateboard company founded in 1992, manufacturing skateboard decks, app...
- JW Marriott - Premium hotel brand owned by Marriott International, operating over 100 properti...
- Moxy Hotels - Lifestyle hotel brand owned by Marriott International, offering affordable, styl...
- The Ritz London - Iconic five-star luxury hotel on Piccadilly in London, founded by César Ritz in ...
The Ritz-Carlton Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Strong backing from Marriott International with global resources
- +Luxury service reputation and exceptional quality standards
- +Global brand recognition and customer loyalty
- +Extensive portfolio of luxury properties worldwide
- +Access to Marriott's loyalty program and distribution systems
- +Independence from traditional hotel chain bureaucracy
Considerations
- -Dependence on Marriott International strategy and priorities
- -Competition from other luxury hotel chains and boutique hotels
- -High operational costs in luxury hospitality segment
- -Vulnerability to global economic conditions and travel disruptions
- -Complex operational integration with Marriott systems
Frequently Asked Questions About The Ritz-Carlton
Competitors to The Ritz-Carlton
No direct competitors found in the same category. This could be because The Ritz-Carltonoperates in a unique market segment or we're still building our competitor database.
Marriott International Stock Information
Jobs at Marriott International
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