FIRST RENAISSANCE HOTEL IN TAMPA OPENS
AUGUST 2004

Released: 07/28/04

Tampa, FL - Tampa welcomes its first Renaissance hotel this summer when the $45-million, 293-room, eight-story Renaissance Tampa Hotel International Plaza opens its doors in early August.

Located adjacent to nearly 200 specialty stores and restaurants that comprise International Plaza, the hotel is convenient to Tampa's downtown, the Westshore business district and Tampa International Airport, as well as convention facilities, sports venues and family attractions located throughout the Tampa Bay area.

The striking, Mediterranean-style hotel is modeled after the spirit and gracious lifestyle of a Costa del Sol mansion. A lush, open-air courtyard serves as a serene centerpiece of the property.

Also opening in August, is P E L A G I A Trattoria, a 152-seat restaurant that will be located on the first floor level of the hotel, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

A tale of two lovers is the inspiration for the hotel's European-influenced design and decor. Sergio, a bachelor from Marbella, owned the largest paper mill and ink press in Europe. Gabriella travels to Spain on a business trip upon inheriting her father's Tampa-based cigar business. The two meet, fall in love, marry and honeymoon throughout the Spanish Riviera before moving to Tampa to build the home of their dreams. The resulting masterpiece, the Renaissance Tampa Hotel International Plaza, is filled with treasures from their travels - hand glazed tiles, custom ironwork and Italian crystals.

The Mediterranean theme is carried throughout the hotel, from the palate of warm, welcoming colors highlighting its guest rooms and suites, to the well-stocked, gourmet Olive Bar that will be located in the main lobby and available for sampling.

Among the many highlights of this project are the following:

  • P E L A G I A Trattoria brings Italian-born, award-winning Executive Chef Fabrizio Schenardi to Florida for the first time. The trattoria-style restaurant will serve Mediterranean cuisine featuring foods from the sea accented with Asian flavors. An open kitchen will enable diners to interact with the Chef and his staff.


  • Signature dishes, drinks and amenities offered exclusively at the Renaissance Tampa Hotel International Plaza include the "Tangerini," a cocktail concocted from fresh squeezed tangerine juice - provided by a Tampa-based citrus grower - citrus infused vodka and a fresh tangerine wedge.


  • Meeting space for banquets, breakout sessions and receptions. The 12,500 square feet of meeting space can accommodate a gathering of the board of directors to an elaborate banquet with seating for 600. Or an outdoor reception may be arranged for up to 215 people in the La Fuente Courtyard.


  • International Plaza is only a few footsteps away from the hotel's doors. The two-level, 1.26-million-square-foot shopping complex features such internationally recognized retailers as Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, BOSS Hugo Boss, Christian Dior and Louis Vuitton as well as 13 sit-down restaurants.


Room rates at hotel begin at $249. For reservations and additional information about the Renaissance Tampa Hotel International Plaza, call 1-800-644-2685 or go to www.renaissancetampa.com.

Media contacts for information, images or interviews:

Cindy Cockburn, C.C. Communications, (727) 772-6726 (office), (727) 432-5862 (cell), cccomm@tampabay.rr.com.

Mary Lou Janson, C.C. Communications, (813) 879-7748 (office), (813) 361-1061 (cell), janson_cccomm@yahoo.com.

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE:MAR) is a leading lodging company with nearly 2,800 lodging properties in the United States and 69 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites, Ramada International and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club International, Horizons, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Marriott Grand Residence Club brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has approximately 128,000 employees. In fiscal year 2003, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $9 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com.