Marriott International has signed an agreement with Fitwel to expand wellness strategies across its global branded residential portfolio. The company said the partnership is designed to integrate health-focused design and operations at scale, reflecting rising owner demand for wellness-driven residential offerings.
The agreement marks Fitwel’s first enterprise partnership and names Marriott as the certification system’s first hospitality company to achieve Champion+ status, a designation for organizations implementing wellness solutions across portfolios.
Marriott said the initiative is intended to extend beyond individual properties, applying Fitwel’s standards across its entire residential platform. The move aligns with the company’s broader focus on enhancing residential experiences through design, amenities and a greater emphasis on health and wellbeing.
“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,” John Hearns, senior vice president, Global Residential Operations, said in a statement. “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 partnership builds on a pilot program at The Ritz-Carlton Residences Chicago, Magnificent Mile, which achieved a two-star Fitwel certification. The property includes wellness-oriented features such as a rooftop garden and expanded fitness and spa amenities.
Under the agreement, Marriott plans to pursue Fitwel certification at additional branded residential properties, with several projects expected to be certified by year-end. The company said the effort is aimed at creating more consistent, measurable wellness outcomes for residents while supporting long-term asset value.
Fitwel, originally developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. General Services Administration, is an evidence-based certification system that evaluates buildings based on their impact on occupant health.