Basis of Presentation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 09, 2011

Basis of Presentation

1. Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements present the results of operations, financial position, and cash flows of Marriott International, Inc. (“Marriott,” and together with its subsidiaries “we,” “us,” or the “Company”). In order to make this report easier to read, we refer throughout to (i) our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as our “Financial Statements,” (ii) our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income as our “Income Statements,” our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as our “Balance Sheets,” (iii) our properties, brands, or markets in the United States and Canada as “North America” or “North American,” and (iv) our properties, brands, or markets outside of the United States and Canada as “international.”

These condensed consolidated financial statements have not been audited. We have condensed or omitted certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Although we believe our disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, you should read the financial statements in this report in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes to those financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, (“2010 Form 10-K”). Certain terms not otherwise defined in this Form 10-Q have the meanings specified in our 2010 Form 10-K.

Preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods, and the disclosures of contingent liabilities. Accordingly, ultimate results could differ from those estimates.

Our 2011third quarter ended on September 9, 2011; our 2010 fourth quarter ended on December 31, 2010; and our 2010third quarter ended on September 10, 2010. In our opinion, our financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly our financial position as of September 9, 2011, and December 31, 2010, the results of our operations for the twelve and thirty-six weeks ended September 9, 2011, and September 10, 2010, and cash flows for the thirty-six weeks ended September 9, 2011, and September 10, 2010. Interim results may not be indicative of fiscal year performance because of seasonal and short-term variations. We have eliminated all material intercompany transactions and balances between entities consolidated in these financial statements. We have also reclassified certain prior year amounts to conform to our 2011 presentation. See Footnote No. 13, “Business Segments,” for additional information on the reclassification of segment revenues, segment financial results, and segment assets to reflect movement of data associated with properties in Hawaii to our North American segments from our International segment.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash in our Balance Sheets at the end of the 2011third quarter and year-end 2010 is recorded as $50 million and $55 million, respectively, in the “Other current assets” line and $33 million and $30 million, respectively, in the “Other long-term assets” line. Restricted cash primarily consists of cash proceeds of a note receivable that are restricted as collateral for other debt; cash held in a reserve account related to Timeshare segment notes receivable securitizations; cash held internationally that we have not repatriated due to statutory, tax and currency risks; and deposits received, primarily associated with timeshare interval, fractional ownership, and residential sales that are held in escrow until the contract has closed.