NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) Oct. 16, 2007--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today it assigned its 'BBB' rating to Marriott International Inc.'s $400 million senior unsecured notes due 2013. Proceeds from the notes issue will be used to repay outstanding commercial paper balances. The long-term corporate credit rating on Marriott is 'BBB' and the rating outlook is stable. The rating reflects the company's strong business profile as exhibited by its sizable and good-quality system of hotels targeting multiple price points, its leadership position in timeshare, its experienced management team, and its focus on managing and franchising hotels rather than outright ownership. These factors are tempered by the cyclical nature of the lodging industry and the susceptibility of the travel
