The Bethesda hotel giant needs a majority of investors in eachof the partnerships to agree before it can acquire the hotels.Courtyard by Marriott Limited Partnership consists of 50 hotels andCourtyard by Marriott II Limited Partnership owns 70 hotels.

Some investors, joined by union allies, have opposed the sale ofthe partnership units to Marriott, alleging that Marriott hasoffered a price that undervalues the holdings.

The tenders in the first partnership are running in favor of thesale, with the opposition running closely behind, according toGemisys Corp., the claims administrator for the tender offers. In astatement from Marriott, Gemisys said that "approximately 454units" voting in favor and "approximately 400 units" votingagainst. The issue could swing either way, with 267 units nothaving voted, and another 29 abstaining.