JOHN ROLFS RETURNS TO RITZ-CARLTON AND TO LEAD THE PORTMAN RITZ-CARLTON, SHANGHAI AS GENERAL MANAGER

SHANGHAI, CHINA – November 25, 2011 – Senior hotelier Mr. John Rolfs is making a return to The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company with his new appointment as General Manager for the group’s China flagship hotel, The Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai. A graduate of Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, Mr. Rolfs is no stranger to The Ritz-Carlton family as he spent more than 19 years with the group as a senior leader.

Prior to Shanghai, Mr. Rolfs was the President and General Manager of the Fontainebleau Miami Beach from, a 1,500-room exotic resort with a 40,000-square-foot spa, 11 restaurants and lounges, and extensive meeting facilities.

Mr. Rolfs started his Ritz-Carlton career in 1989 as Executive Assistant Manager of Food & Beverage at The Ritz-Carlton, Houston USA. In 1991 he was appointed General Manager for The Ritz-Carlton Phoenix, Arizona and took similar position with The Ritz-Carlton, Aspen in 1993. In 1996 Mr. Rolfs moved to Asia with his appointment as opening General Manager for The Ritz-Carlton Osaka, Japan.

After spending four successful years leading the team of The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka, Mr. Rolfs returned to the US in 2000 with his promotion to Area General Manager for The Ritz-Carlton Hotels of Boston, where he successfully transformed the flagship Ritz-Carlton, Boston after a $40 million renovation while at the same time opened the second Ritz-Carlton property in the city, The Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common. In 2003 he was the Area General Manager for The Ritz-Carlton Hotels of New Orleans, and two years later he was promoted to the Area Vice President and General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton South Florida Hotels including The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach - Miami, Florida.

“I am delighted to rejoin The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and to have the opportunity to work in Shanghai for the iconic Portman Ritz-Carlton. Proven by its fine reputation with countless awards and recognitions, the hotel undoubtedly continues to impress with its first class service and facilities extended to the ever evolving market and world travelers. I look forward to working together with the fine ladies and gentlemen of the hotel to maintain the hotel’s position as one of the best hotels in the world by providing genuine care, personalized service and to continue to build strong relationships to create Ritz-Carlton guests for life” expressed Mr. Rolfs

Maintaining its position as one of the best hotels in the world, The Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai is on the coveted lists of 2011 Condé Nast Traveler Gold List, The World Best Hotels and 2011 2011 Condé Nast Traveler Readers Choice, Top 125 Best Hotels in Asia . The Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai also joins The Ritz-Carlton hotels in China to be awarded as one of the Top 10 Aon Hewitt Best Employers in China 2011.

In 2010 the hotel was awarded “Best Business Hotel” by TTG China, "500 World’s Best Hotels” by Travel + Leisure USA and “2010 Gold List - Best Business Hotel in Shanghai” by National Geographic Traveler, just to name few.

The Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai is located in the famous Shanghai Centre, a retail, dining and entertainment complex on the famous Nanjing Road. Services and facilities include six restaurants and lounges serving Chinese, Italian, Japanese and Western favorites. An extensive health club with swimming pool, gym, squash and racquetball courts is featured alongside a fully-equipped business center.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., of Chevy Chase, Maryland, currently operates 77 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, which recognizes outstanding customer service. For more information, or reservations, contact a travel professional, call toll free in the U.S. 1-800-241-3333, or visit the company web site at www.ritzcarlton.com.  The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:  MAR)