Reliable Source: The Scene: The Marriott returns to its roots at 4,000th hotel's grand opening in D.C.

Marriott International, Inc. on Tuesday celebrated the opening of the company's 4000th hotel, the Marriott Marquis, in the town where it all started. Marriott's executive chairman, 82-year-old Bill Marriott, whose father J.W. Marriott founded the company with a root beer shop in 1927, was on hand with about 200 guests, including D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray and Democratic mayoral candidate Muriel Bowser, a council member. Those two stayed on opposite sides of the ceremonial ribbon.