Atlanta's high-end luxury market could get another entrant from one of the hotel industry's top players.

J.W. "Bill" Marriott, chairman and chief executive officer of Marriott International, on Tuesday confirmed that the hotel company bearing his name is looking to bring a third Ritz-Carlton to Atlanta.

"We continue to evaluate our opportunities," he said during a brief interview at the Marriott Marquis downtown. "A Ritz-Carlton in Midtown is something that we are looking at."

Industry watchers have buzzed for months that the Bethesda, Md., hotelier is looking to add a third Ritz —- there is a Ritz in Buckhead and one downtown. In the past few weeks, Rosewood, a top luxury brand out of Dallas, has opened in Buckhead, while St. Regis, one of the legendary hoteliers, is building on West Paces Ferry Road.

Other new competitors for luxury dollars —- either under construction or in the not-quite-a-done-deal stage —- include Palomar, Loews and Mandarin. W, the Ritz of the affluent young, will have four hotels in Atlanta by 2009.

Marriott was in town to tour the renovated Marriott Marquis —- the city's largest hotel —- and participate in the chain's annual day of community service. He helped employees sort thousands of pounds of food and pack groceries at the Atlanta Community Food Bank in their annual "Spirit to Serve Our Communities Day."

Atlanta is one of the company's top three markets, with 67 hotels in the metro area.

The Marriott Marquis has put the finishing touches on a $138 million renovation that includes updated guest rooms, new restaurants, improved convention space and the creation of a spa. The hotel has more than 1,600 rooms. "I've never seen a better-renovated property in my career," he said in a taped message to staffers.