ATLANTA— It’s official. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company is moving its headquarters from Atlanta to Montgomery County, MD by the summer of next year. In the announcement, the company said “the Ritz-Carlton will move to benefit from ease of business in being closer to its parent company, Marriott International, while maintaining its distinct brand of luxury hospitality.” Marriott International’s headquarters is located in Bethesda, MD. It had been rumored that Ritz-Carlton would be moving into Marriott’s corporate headquarters, replacing Host Marriott, which is vacating those offices. However, in the announcement, Ritz-Carlton said it “has begun a process to select an appropriate headquarters location within Montgomery County from which to manage its nearly 50 luxury hotels and resorts in 17 countries and that a decision is expected within the next three months.” In making the announcement, it Ritz-Carlton clearly indicated it would still remain a separate, luxury element of Marriott’s brand portfolio, a strategy it has been keen on following since it was acquired by Marriott in 1995. Approximately 140 employees are currently located at The Ritz-Carlton headquarters in Atlanta, all of whom have been given the opportunity to relocate with the company to Montgomery County, said the company. At this time it is not known how many will choose to do so, said the company. Simon Cooper, president and COO of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company said that the move will increase efficiencies in behind-the-scenes support operations while we continue to build upon our companys independent, best-in-the-world class of service and unsurpassed luxury.”
