FAIRFIELD BY MARRIOTT INVITES TRAVELERS TO DISCOVER RURAL JAPAN WITH SEVEN ANTICIPATED HOTEL OPENINGS IN 2023

The Latest Fairfield by Marriott 'Michi-no-Eki' hotel openings unlock access to picturesque volcanic landscapes and historic gems of Japan's southern regions

HONG KONG, Jan. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Fairfield by Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy's portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands, today announced seven anticipated openings of 2023, adding to the portfolio of 22 Fairfield by Marriott hotels in Japan. The new hotels will be located along national roadside rest areas in the prefectures of Hyogo, Kagoshima, Okayama, Saga, Kumamoto, and Fukuoka in the southern region of Japan, where travelers can discover hidden cultural and historical gems. The Fairfield by Marriott 'Michi-no-Eki' project aims to facilitate access to many of Japan's off-the-beaten-path attractions, offering  a comforting hotel experience along the country's expressways.

"We are thrilled to expand the brand in Asia with seven new Fairfield hotels expected to open in Japan this year," said Diane Mayer, Vice President and Global Brand Leader, Classic Select Brands, Marriott International. "Fairfield is celebrated with a unique legacy in the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio and we look forward to delivering the promise of warm hospitality and inviting experiences for guests who are discovering up-and-coming destinations across Japan."

Fairfield by Marriott was created on the principles of warmth, comfort and simplicity. The brand was inspired by the Fairfield Farm at the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia in the U.S. for its breath-taking natural sights and sounds, a restorative place that represents simplicity, balance and a comfortable way of life. The calm aesthetics, warm colour palettes, and straightforward design philosophy uses a combination of natural materials and colour tones to represent the connection between the outdoors and indoors, paying tribute to the brand's origins in the Fairfield Farm. Guestrooms range in size from 21 to 25 square meters and feature complimentary Wi-Fi and a space-saving shower booth.  

The seven new Fairfield by Marriott hotels in Japan, scheduled to open in 2023, are:

HYOGO

Fairfield by Marriott Hyogo Tajima Yabu (88 rooms, opened January 24, 2023)

Fairfield by Marriott Hyogo Tajima Yabu is located next to Michi-no-Eki Yoka Tajimanokura in Yabu city, in Japan's southwestern Hyogo Prefecture. The area is home to the picturesque rice fields of Bekku no Tanada and the beautiful Tendaki Falls, set against the backdrop of the highest mountain in Hyogo, Mount Hyonosen. The mountainous countryside is full of natural scenery with flowing rivers in the summer and snowy landscapes in the winter, a must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts.

Fairfield by Marriott Hyogo Awaji Higashiura (87 rooms, expected opening summer 2023)

Fairfield by Marriott Hyogo Awaji Higashiura is located at the charming Awaji Island, connected to the main island of Honshu by the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. Visitors can also enjoy one of Japan's best beaches, Ura Kenmin Sun Beach, as well as the picturesque Awaji Hanasajiki Park where there are sweeping fields of flowers against the backdrop of Osaka Bay.

KAGOSHIMA

Fairfield by Marriott Kagoshima Tarumizu (95 rooms, expected opening spring 2023)

The new hotel will be located at Tarumizu city in Kagoshima at the southernmost part of Kyushu Island.  Kagoshima city is known as "Naples of the East" for its location on a bay facing the famous Sakurajima volcano. Nearby is also Tarumizu Marine Park, where guests can enjoy watersports activities in Kinko Bay's warm subtropical waters. Adventurous travelers can also try canyoning in Sarugajo Gorge. Accessible by ferry from Kagoshima is the island of Yakushima, where the ancient cedar forests and natural landscapes inspired the Studio Ghibli animated film 'Princess Mononoke.'

OKAYAMA

Fairfield by Marriott Okayama Tsuyama (78 rooms, expected opening spring 2023)

Located in Okayama, Tsuyama is a town full of history and culture known for the 17^th century Tsuyama Castle, one of Japan's three historic hilltop-style castles. Guests staying at Fairfield by Marriott Okayama Tsuyama can catch Tsuyama's annual Cherry Blossom Festival every spring in Kakuzan Park, home to about 5,000 cherry blossom trees. Other lively festivals throughout the year include the Gongo Festival, Tsuyama Autumn Festival and Old Izumo Street Festival, where local residents wear traditional costumes and put on theater shows. Okayama is famous for its high number of sunny days and abundance of sweet fruit produced in the region.

SAGA

Fairfield by Marriott Saga Ureshino Onsen (84 rooms, expected opening summer 2023)

Fairfield by Marriott Saga Ureshino Onsen will welcome guests to Ureshino Onsen, a hot spring town in the southwestern Saga Prefecture. Its natural hot spring onsens and bathhouses invite visitors to relax and unwind in soothing alkaline waters. The hot spring waters is also used to make delicious local specialties such as hot tofu, and for preparing green teas. Travelers can also visit Hizen Yumekaido Ninja Village theme park and the 17th-century Yutoku Inari Shrine. The hotel is conveniently accessible by the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen bullet train, which began service in September 2022.

FUKUOKA

Fairfield by Marriott Fukuoka Ukiha (51 rooms, expected opening summer 2023)

Fairfield by Marriott Fukuoka Ukiha is located close to Chikugo Plain, an important farming region in Japan. The rural landscapes are home to rice fields and fruit farms, along with ancient ruins, temples, castles, sake breweries and hot spring onsens. In Ukiha, guests can pick fruits and sample sweets and desserts made with locally grown fruit. Another must-visit in the area is the Ukiha Inari Shrine at the foot of the Mino mountain range. Walk through 90 stunning vermilion torii gates that lead a path to the shrine.

KUMAMOTO

Fairfield by Marriott Kumamoto Aso (93 rooms, expected opening autumn 2023)

The hotel will be located at Kumamoto of southern Japan in the city of Aso, nestled within one of the world's largest volcanic calderas. The area is part of a fabulous landscape of mountains and valleys, with breathtaking sights of the Aso-Nakadake crater and its dynamic volcanic plumes, as well as the Kusasenri-ga-hama plain. The area offers activities to immerse with the natural landscapes, including hot air ballooning, canoeing and horse riding. Guests can also take a ride up the Mount Aso by a car and visit Aso Shrine, one of the oldest shrines in Japan.

"The Fairfield by Marriott Michi-no-Eki project is aimed at creating a footprint of hotels that stretch from Japan's snowy northernmost regions to its southern prefectures, where travelers can stop and get a good night's rest as they explore the many historical and cultural attractions, culinary experiences, and natural sites across each region," said Masahiro Taguchi, Project Director of Fairfield by Marriott's Michi-no-Eki portfolio. "Guests can look forward to a pleasant and effortless experience every time they check in at a Fairfield hotel."

Note on Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of United States federal securities laws, including statements related to expected hotel openings, brand debuts in certain markets, and similar statements concerning anticipated future events and expectations that are not historical facts. We caution you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to numerous evolving risks and uncertainties that we may not be able to accurately predict or assess, including the risk factors that we identify in our U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Any of these factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations we express or imply in this press release. We make these forward-looking statements as of the date of this press release and undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

About Fairfield by Marriott
Fairfield by Marriott^® was founded on the principles of trusted service and warm, friendly hospitality inspired by its unique heritage as the namesake of the Marriott family retreat, the Fairfield Farm. Its contemporary, uplifting design provides an effortless experience for guests to maintain their routines while on the road. Evoking the feelings of calming simplicity, Fairfield offers thoughtfully designed guestrooms and suites that provide separate quality living, working, and sleeping areas. With over 1,240 properties in 16 countries and territories, Fairfield is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy^®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments™ and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit www.MarriottBonvoy.com. For more information or reservations, visit www.Fairfield.Marriott.com.

About Marriott Bonvoy®
Marriott Bonvoy's extraordinary portfolio offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world, with 30 brands that are tailored to every type of journey. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, and through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit marriottbonvoy.com.

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