Marriott International and Starwood Hotels & Resorts have announced that the boards of directors of both companies have unanimously approved a definitive merger agreement under which the companies will create the world’s largest hotel company.
The transaction combines Starwood’s lifestyle brands and international footprint with Marriott’s presence in the luxury and select-service tiers, as well as the convention and resort segment.
Combined, the companies operate or franchise more than 5,500 hotels with 1.1 million rooms worldwide.
This will be Marriott’s second major acquisition in the past two years. 2014 saw the group acquire South Africa’s Protea Hotels – a deal which instantly gave Marriott a significant presence on the African continent, thanks to the over 100 properties in the Protea stable.
Starwood currently has 36 properties in 14 countries in Africa.