Bethesda-based Marriott International has been named the No. 7 Best Workplace in the United States on the 2026 Fortune and Great Place To Work 100 Best Workplaces list, continuing a decades-long streak of recognition for the global hospitality company.
Marriott has appeared on the list since its inception nearly 30 years ago, reinforcing its reputation as one of the country’s most consistent top employers. The latest ranking also follows additional global recognition, including being named among the top five World’s Best Workplaces. The company, which employs nearly 800,000 associates worldwide, credits its people-first culture and long-standing core values for the continued recognition. “For nearly a century, Marriott has been guided by our founding core values, creating a culture rooted in trust, opportunity, and respect for every associate,” said President and CEO Anthony Capuano. “This recognition is meaningful because it reflects associates’ voices and experiences and affirms our people-first culture that is brought to life every day by our associates.”
A key part of Marriott’s workplace strategy is its “Be” people brand, launched in 2023 and built around three pillars: Begin, Belong, and Become. Through “Begin,” Marriott continues to invest in early career development, including a digital learning platform that provides associates access to training, coaching, and skill-building programs.
The “Belong” pillar focuses on wellbeing and workplace culture. Marriott was an early adopter of global wellbeing initiatives and now supports employees through mental health and financial wellness resources, flexible scheduling, and its travel discount program. The company also promotes inclusion through Associate Resource Groups and a global network of more than 13,000 “TakeCare Champions” who help connect employees to support systems.
“Become” emphasizes long-term career growth, with programs like Elevate designed to prepare frontline workers for management roles. According to the company, participants in the program are significantly more likely to be promoted and remain with Marriott long-term. “At Marriott, people don’t come for a job, they come for a career,” said Chief Human Resources Officer Ty Breland. “Our role is to create the environment where that’s possible.”
The Fortune and Great Place To Work list is based on employee feedback and evaluates companies on trust, workplace culture, and overall experience. Organizations must score highly across dozens of survey metrics to be included.
