December 16, 2015: Marriott International is now the world’s largest hotel group after buying Starwood for $12 billion plus. The new consolidation now represents 5,500 properties worldwide and over 1 million rooms — dozens of different brands from Ritz-Carlton to Westin and Sheraton (Marriott alone has 30 brands). Marriott has a well establish track record for substantial guest add on fees from resort property mandatory service and facility charges to a confusing array of in room internet charges — some of which have result in numerous lawsuits and FTC intervention. Add to all this combining guest loyalty programs — Starwood users will give up the most — and you’ll have a real mess that most likely will bring higher rates and even more fees. Pretty neat for Marriott, who’s founding family started it all with a simple roadside stand selling root beer for a nickel!
