Key Stats
Sheraton operates 431 hotels with approximately 150,640 rooms across more than 70 countries as of December 2024. (Source)
Marriott International (NASDAQ: MAR), Sheraton’s parent company, has a market capitalization of roughly $83 billion as of early 2026.
Marriott’s global system totaled over 9,800 properties with nearly 1,780,000 rooms at year-end 2025. (Source)
Net rooms grew over 4.3% from year-end 2024, with approximately 73,600 net rooms added during 2025.
Sheraton Hotels and Resorts is owned by Marriott International, Inc., which acquired the brand as part of its $13 billion purchase of Starwood Hotels and Resorts in 2016. Marriott is a publicly traded company listed on NASDAQ under ticker symbol MAR, and no single individual or entity holds outright control.
The Sheraton brand dates back to 1937 and remains one of the most globally recognized names in hospitality. It is classified as a “Classic Premium” brand within Marriott’s portfolio, targeting business, leisure, and family travelers. In November 2025, Sheraton launched its “Goodnight Room” campaign — a storytelling initiative inspired by the children’s classic Goodnight Moon — as part of its ongoing global brand transformation that includes redesigned lobbies, soundproof work booths, flexible meeting studios, and upgraded guest rooms across properties worldwide.
Who Owns Sheraton?
Marriott International holds full ownership of the Sheraton brand. Sheraton does not operate as an independent entity — it functions within Marriott’s franchise and management structure. Individual Sheraton hotels are typically owned by independent real estate investors and hotel operators who license the Sheraton name from Marriott. Revenue flows to Marriott through franchise fees, management contracts, and licensing arrangements.
How Marriott Acquired Sheraton
Marriott gained Sheraton through its 2016 acquisition of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide. That deal, valued at roughly $13 billion, also brought brands like W Hotels, Westin, St. Regis, and The Luxury Collection into Marriott’s portfolio. Before Starwood, the brand operated under ITT Corporation from 1968 to 1998 and was known during that period as “ITT Sheraton.” Starwood then acquired ITT Sheraton in 1998 in a $13.3 billion deal that outbid rival hotel companies at the time.
Sheraton’s Current Position in Marriott’s Brand Portfolio
Within Marriott’s 30+ brand lineup, Sheraton sits in the Premium tier alongside Marriott Hotels, Westin, and Delta Hotels. Its 431 properties spread across more than 70 countries make it one of the most geographically distributed brands in Marriott’s portfolio. Marriott has invested heavily in a multi-year renovation program for Sheraton properties, updating public spaces with features like the “&More by Sheraton” food and beverage concept and tech-forward work zones.
Largest Shareholders of Sheraton’s Parent Company
Since Sheraton is owned by Marriott International, the brand’s ultimate ownership rests with Marriott’s shareholders. The company’s stock is held by a combination of the founding Marriott family, institutional investors, and retail shareholders.
The Marriott Family
J.W. Marriott III is the largest individual shareholder, holding approximately 73.82 million shares — about 27.5% of Marriott’s outstanding stock. This stake, valued at over $20 billion, gives the family substantial influence over the company’s direction. The Marriott family’s involvement dates back to 1927 when J. Willard Marriott and his wife Alice opened a root beer stand in Washington, D.C., long before the company entered the hotel and hospitality industry.
Institutional Investors
Institutional shareholders own about 61% of Marriott’s total shares. The three largest institutional holders are:
Top 3 institutional holders control ~17.95% of Marriott’s shares combined
Retail Investors
Retail investors — individual shareholders purchasing stock through brokerage accounts — hold roughly 21% of Marriott’s shares. This broad distribution of ownership is typical for large-cap public companies, similar to other major publicly traded corporations.
History of Sheraton Hotel Co-founders
Ernest Henderson and Robert Moore
Harvard classmates Ernest Henderson and Robert Moore founded what would become Sheraton in 1937. They started by acquiring existing hotels rather than building from scratch. Their third acquisition — a Boston property with a large rooftop sign reading “Hotel Sheraton” — gave the brand its name. Replacing the sign was too expensive, so Henderson and Moore simply adopted the name for all their properties.
Rapid Expansion in the 1940s and 1950s
Henderson and Moore bought the Copley Plaza Hotel in Boston in 1941 and continued acquiring properties along the East Coast. By 1947, the Sheraton Corporation of America became the first hotel chain listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The duo expanded into Canada in 1949 and purchased the Eppley Hotel Company in 1956 — then the largest privately held hotel business in the U.S. — for $30 million. Sheraton also became the first Western hotel brand to open in China in 1985, taking on management of the Great Wall Sheraton in Beijing.
Who Is on the Board of Directors for Sheraton’s Parent Company?
Sheraton’s governance flows through Marriott International’s board. As of early 2025, the board has 13 members, 10 of whom are independent directors. The board oversees corporate strategy, executive management, and accountability to shareholders for all Marriott brands, including Sheraton.
Leadership and Hospitality Expertise
David S. Marriott serves as Chairman of the Board — the third chairman in the company’s 98-year history, following his father J.W. Marriott Jr. and grandfather J.W. Marriott. David was elected to the board in 2021 and became chairman in May 2022. Anthony G. Capuano has served as President and CEO since 2021, overseeing operations across Marriott’s entire portfolio of over 30 brands.
Finance and Corporate Governance
Isabella D. Goren, former CFO of American Airlines and AMR Corporation, brings deep financial and aviation-sector experience. Frederick A. Henderson serves as Lead Director — a former chairman and CEO of SunCoke Energy. Kathleen Oberg serves as CFO and Executive Vice President of Development for Marriott International, overseeing the company’s financial operations and global development pipeline.
Consumer, Brand, and Operations Expertise
Lauren R. Hobart, CEO of DICK’S Sporting Goods, and Margaret M. McCarthy, former EVP of CVS Health, contribute consumer-market knowledge. Sean Tresvant, CEO of Taco Bell, joined the board in February 2025 as an independent director, adding brand-building and franchise-scaling experience. Aylwin B. Lewis, former chairman and CEO of Potbelly Corporation, brings restaurant and multi-unit retail operations perspective.
Family Representation
Deborah Marriott Harrison, Global Cultural Ambassador Emeritus for Marriott International, represents the founding family’s continued presence on the board alongside Chairman David S. Marriott.
Marriott International Ownership Distribution
FAQs
Is Sheraton owned by Marriott?
Yes. Marriott International acquired Sheraton in 2016 as part of its purchase of Starwood Hotels and Resorts. Sheraton now operates as a brand within Marriott’s Premium portfolio, with over 431 properties worldwide.
Who founded Sheraton Hotels?
Ernest Henderson and Robert Moore, both Harvard classmates, founded Sheraton in 1937. The brand name came from a rooftop sign on their third hotel acquisition in Boston.
How many Sheraton hotels are there worldwide?
As of December 2024, Sheraton operates 431 hotels with approximately 150,640 rooms in more than 70 countries, with the highest concentration in the United States and Asia.
Who is the CEO of Marriott International?
Anthony G. Capuano has served as President and CEO of Marriott International since 2021. David S. Marriott serves as Chairman of the Board.
What is the largest shareholder of Marriott International?
J.W. Marriott III is the largest individual shareholder with about 27.5% of shares. Among institutions, Vanguard Group holds the largest position at approximately 7.12%.
