Marriott International and children's TV channel, Nickelodeon, have teamed up to launch a chain of family-friendly hotels.

Plans are to roll out the brand, Nickelodeon Resorts by Marriott, into at least 20 family-themed resorts by 2020. They will comprise built-in water parks, themed restaurants, and be located around the world including north America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

Work on the first resort, a 650-room hotel in San Diego is expected to begin next January and open in early 2010.

Marriott will own and operate the hotels, while Nickelodeon, part of Viacom Inc will receive a licensing fee.

Meanwhile in separate news, speculation that Marriott may be bought out by private equity investors has seen shares in the hotel company rise by more than 4% on the New York stock exchange.

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By Emily Manson

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