Filings Reveal $138 Million Paid — Analysis

Marriott CEO Anthony Capuano was awarded $39.5 million in 2025 pay, more than the bosses at smaller rivals Accor, Choice, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, and Wyndham, according to annual filings.

Capuano out-earned his peers in the “compensation actually paid” tally for 2025, a reversal from the previous two years, when Hilton CEO Christopher Nassetta led the pack. The swap in top position had less to do with board generosity than with what stock portfolios did at year-end.

The headline figure of $138 million, split among seven hotel chiefs, tells one story. But the more revealing one is how each board defines success at each company — and what they expect their CEOs to pursue. 

Marriott’s board paid more for its CEO to plant flags and sign loyalty members than to max out margin. Hyatt’s board designed awards that would cost its CEO millions to walk away from. And Wyndham’s CEO turned down his own bonus.

Hotel CEO Pay in 2025

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