Hotel and resort operator Marriott International has hired Sharilyn Abbajay as the new vice president of global spas and retail.

Abbajay, who currently serves on the board of the International Spa Association, will bring with her more than 30 years of spa industry experience.

She will be tasked with steering Marriott's portfolio of nearly 100 spas worldwide under the Ritz-Carlton, Marriott, JW Marriott and Renaissance brands.

She will be responsible for operational standards, vendors, spa design and the financial strategy. She will also oversee the company's retail stores, including its online retail sites - shopmarriott.com, shopcourtyard.com and collectrenaissance.com.

Abbajay's past career includes a five-year stint with the Neill Corporation/Aveda; nine years at Elizabeth Arden Salons; and eight years as corporate managing spa director of Noelle, a division of the Gillette Company.