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Marriott Involvement Adds Another Layer to The Greenbrier Saga

Where: 300 West Main St. [map], White Sulphur Spring, WV, United States, 24986

Alright. So. In a very, very compact nutshell, the drama at the Greenbrier in West Virginia goes a bit like this: the resort was having some troubles, shed about half of its staff, and word on the street was Marriott was gonna purchase and save the resort — but then another buyer stepped in and snapped it up last week, and furloughed employees were called back.

Now, here's this, from the Charleston Gazette:

The Greenbrier's new owner and Marriott International have reached a tentative agreement that allows the hotel giant to market the historic resort. In exchange, Marriott won't challenge the resort's sale, said Jim Justice, who purchased the Greenbrier's stock earlier this month.

Apparently, under this arrangement, Marriott will be receiving "a special fee for every Greenbrier guest booked through the hotel chain's marketing network" — or else the hotel's new owner would have to pay Marriott "a $7 million 'break-up fee' if he ends Marriott's marketing partnership," presumably because Marriott had a contract to purchase the resort from its previous owners.

What's not clear is, well, a lot of things. Among them: who is going to manage the resort? Will it be flagged as a Marriott? Guess those are the "details" that need to be worked out.

[Photo: Bloomberg News via WSJ]