Marriott International Signs Agreement with Fitwel to Advance Wellness in Global Branded Residences Portfolio
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Key Facts:
Marriott International signed an agreement with Fitwel to become its first Enterprise Partner, implementing Fitwel solutions across its global branded residential portfolio to advance wellness at scale.
Marriott International is the first branded residences and hospitality company to achieve Fitwel’s Champion+ designation.
Serving as the pilot for the global partnership, The Ritz-Carlton Residences Chicago, Magnificent Mile successfully achieved a 2-star Fitwel certification in March.
Marriott International, Inc. today announced an agreement with Fitwel, a leading healthy building certification system focused on optimizing occupant health through built environment strategies, to further integrate wellness solutions across its global branded residential portfolio.
Underscoring Marriott’s focus on advancing health and wellness in residential design and operations, this agreement marks Fitwel’s first enterprise partnership and establishes Marriott as Fitwel’s first hospitality Champion+ company, a designation recognizing organizations that implement wellness solutions at scale to create a consistent and lasting positive impact for residents and communities. This portfolio-wide agreement is designed to go beyond the individual residential property level, spanning solutions across Marriott International’s full residential portfolio, aligning operational excellence with a measurable, globally recognized standard for healthier buildings.
“As owner expectations continue to evolve, Marriott is focused on shaping residential experiences that encompass thoughtful design, signature amenities, and a strong emphasis on wellness,” said John Hearns, Senior Vice President, Global Residential Operations. “We are proud to be the first hospitality company to partner with Fitwel, a leading evidence-based certification program, at scale. We are confident this collaboration is a meaningful step in elevating the company’s global branded residential portfolio.”
“Marriott’s leadership reflects a broader shift across global real estate and hospitality, where health is increasingly viewed not as an amenity, but as a core business strategy tied to long-term value, resilience, and customer experience,” said Joanna Frank, President and CEO of the Center for Active Design and Active Design Advisors, Inc. (Adai). “As Fitwel’s first Enterprise Partnership and the first branded residences and hospitality company achieving Fitwel’s Champion+ designation, Marriott is helping set a new global benchmark for how health can be scaled across portfolios in ways that benefit owners, residents, guests, associates, and long-term asset performance.”
The agreement builds on the successful completion of a pilot program at The Ritz-Carlton Residences Chicago, Magnificent Mile which achieved a 2-star Fitwel Certification in March. The property features a working fruit and vegetable roof garden for its residents, a state-of-the-art fitness center with saunas and steam rooms, among other health and wellness amenities. Through this partnership, Marriott plans to expand Fitwel Certification across its global branded residential portfolio and expects to achieve Fitwel certification at several branded residential properties by the end of the year.
This milestone reflects Marriott’s longstanding commitment to delivering best-in-class health and wellness experiences for residents and guests. Across its global branded residential portfolio, which includes 153 open properties and 183 in the pipeline, the company continues to integrate thoughtful, wellness-focused design and amenities for residents, including:
W Residences Dubai - The Palm: Designed with solar panels, the property offers state-of-the-art recreational and wellness amenities such as a new cold plunge pool and tennis courts, exclusively available to residents.
The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Muskoka: Currently in development, this extraordinary standalone residential property is planned to offer residents a greenhouse, outdoor archery and fitness trails, and recreational activities such as tennis, pickleball and basketball courts.
The St. Regis Residences, Bangkok and The Residences at The St. Regis Marsa Arabia Island have Longevity Hubs by Clinique La Prairie, offering residents renowned wellness programs designed by the preventative health, aesthetic, and longevity science of Clinique La Prairie.
Originally created by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), Fitwel is the leading healthy building certification used by top real estate companies across the globe to ensure their assets are designed and operated to positively impact the health, productivity, and satisfaction of residents, employees, and tenants. Fitwel-certified environments support physical and mental well-being, improve indoor environmental quality, and foster community connection, enhancing both guest experience and workplace performance. Fitwel Champion+ participants are recognized for their accomplishments and forward-looking commitments to building health and receive enhanced support from Fitwel to maximize portfolio-wide impact.
Other properties in the company’s portfolio have also achieved Fitwel certification, including Marriott International’s Global Headquarters in Bethesda, MD., which opened in 2022 with a 3-star Fitwel certification.
