Host Hotels & Resorts
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Real estate investment trust, Hospitality |
| Predecessor | Host Marriott Corporation |
| Founded | 1897 |
| Founder | Van Noy Brothers |
| Headquarters | Bethesda, Maryland , United States |
Area served | United States, Brazil, Canada |
| Products | Hotel property investments |
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc., with its main office located in Bethesda, Maryland, stands as a prominent American real estate investment trust focused on hotel property investments. As of December 31, 2024, the company held ownership of 81 luxury hotels comprising around 43,400 guest rooms situated throughout the United States, Brazil, and Canada.
History
The origins of the company trace back to 1897 when the Van Noy Brothers from Kansas City, Missouri established Van Noy Railway News and Hotel Company. Initially, the enterprise managed newsstands alongside regional railroad lines before branching into hospitality operations. By 1968, it had transformed into Host International Company.
In 1927, John Willard Marriott and his spouse Alice opened “The Hot Shoppe,” a root beer outlet in Washington, D.C., which expanded into Hot Shoppes, Inc. The firm ventured into the hotel industry in 1957 with its inaugural property in Arlington County, Virginia. It adopted the name Marriott Corporation in 1967.
Marriott acquired Host International in 1982. A decade later, in 1993, Marriott divided its business: Marriott International, Inc. assumed responsibility for management and franchising activities, while Host Marriott Corporation retained ownership of lodging assets and travel concessions located at airports and highways. These concession operations were subsequently separated as Host Marriott Services (currently HMSHost).
By 1998, the company exited non-hotel ventures and restructured itself as a real estate investment trust. In 2006, after major acquisitions including a $4 billion acquisition of Starwood Hotels, it rebranded to its present name, Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.