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W Hotels Worldwide Debuts Global Flagship, W Hollywood Hotel & Residences

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:23:31 +0200

“W Hollywood is a crown jewel in our investment portfolio, and offers a truly unique location that is a perfect blend of lifestyle, entertainment, hospitality and commerce,” said Clark Hanrattie, Chief Investment Officer for HEI Hotels & Resorts

W Hotels Worldwide Debuts Global Flagship, W Hollywood Hotel & Residences

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:17:38 +0200

W Hotels Worldwide, the hotel category buster and industry innovator, recaptures the spirit of Hollywood glamour with the unveiling of W Hollywood Hotel & Residences. Located at the historic intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine, this $350 million complex, developed by Gatehouse Capital and owned in a joint venture by HEI Hotels & Resorts and Gatehouse Capital, in affiliation with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority (Metro), offers W’s jet-setting guests, residents and Hollywood’s fashionable locals a fully integrated contemporary lifestyle experience. The opening of W Hollywood kicks off another year of international growth for W Hotels, which is on track to more than double its global portfolio by 2011.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Exploring Redevelopment Plan for the Sheraton Manhattan at Times Square

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:46:22 +0200

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) announced today a redevelopment plan for the 665-room Sheraton Manhattan at Times Square in New York City. The company is exploring a variety of options to maximize the long-term value of this significant asset which occupies 395,000 square feet of real estate, covering a full city block, bounded by Broadway, Seventh Avenue and 51st and 52nd Street near Times Square. The redevelopment plans will include a hotel flying one of Starwood’s brand flags, in possible combination with retail and office uses. Given the hotel’s incomparable footprint, Starwood has received considerable interest from investors and developers to partner on the project and the company has assembled a project team to assist in evaluating a full range of options and partners over the coming months.

Le Meridien Expands in North America Adding Minneapolis’ Award-Winning Chambers Hotel to Its International Portfolio

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:11:32 +0200

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced that the Minneapolis-based Chambers has joined Le Méridien, the Paris-born hotel brand with an international presence of 105 hotels and resorts. The addition of Chambers has increased the brand’s footprint to 10 hotels in North America. Opened in 2006 by prominent art collector Ralph Burnet, Chambers is considered one of the world’s top art hotels, featuring more than 250 original artworks by such noted artists as Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin and Gavin Turk. The hotel has been renamed Le Méridien Chambers Minneapolis.

Sheraton Hotels & Resorts Launches Multi-Million Marketing Campaign to Support $6 Billion Brand Revitalization

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:08:07 +0200

Sheraton Hotels & Resorts announced today the launch of a new $20 million dollar, multi-media marketing campaign created to highlight the brand’s $6 billion revitalization effort. Launching today, the “Rediscover Sheraton” campaign encourages travelers to take a new look at Sheraton, which features an enhanced guest experience following a three-year, global brand overhaul. This is the first new marketing campaign to debut for Sheraton in two years.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Slated to Open 80-100 Hotels in 2010

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:56:12 +0200

From the American Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) in San Diego, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announces it expects to open another 80-100 high quality new-build and conversion hotels in 2010, coming off of the 83 opened and 77 new deals signed in 2009. Of these new hotels, roughly 70 percent will be outside of North America, with the majority in Asia Pacific. And Starwood’s upper upscale and luxury brands are leading the charge, representing more than 60% of the new openings. Among these hotels and resorts is expected to be its 1,000th property globally.

Staff Movement - Kevin Rockey

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:20:28 +0200

Kevin Rockey has been appointed General Manager at W London-Leicester Square in London, United States. W Hotels Worldwide has announced the appointment of Kevin Rockey as general manger of W London-Leicester Square, the contemporary lifestyle branded hotel operated by Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Rockey joins the 192-bedroom hotel from the Morgans Hotel Group where for the past 10 years he has held several positions including hotel manager at the Sanderson hotel and most recently as hotel manager at St Martins Lane, London. “Kevin’s London know-how and design hotel experience will be invaluable to us for W to really make its mark in London when we debut this summer,” said Robyn Pratt, brand leader for W hotels in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. “As we continue to transform W into a global powerhouse, with openings in international ‘it’ locations like London, we need talent like Kevin who share in the brand’s and the destination's passion for fashion, design and entertainment.”

Starwood Announces Two New Hotel Deals to Introduce The Luxury Collection Brand to China

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:44:18 +0200

Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announces today that its world-renowned The Luxury Collection brand has signed two new deals to open the brand’s first hotels in China. The Astor Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, is scheduled to open as a Luxury Collection Hotel in May 2010 after a $22 million renovation, and The Malus Sanya, a Luxury Collection Resort, a new-build resort set to open in late 2012. These new developments are illustrative of The Luxury Collection brand’s overall global growth that includes seven new deals and five hotel openings in 2009.

Starwood Hotels Announces 2010 Employment Forecast

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:09:19 +0200

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announces plans to add more than 12,000 new jobs to the global workforce in 2010 – with roughly half of these jobs to be located inside the U.S. in markets spanning from New York to California. The news comes on the heels of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ employment situation report issued Friday that indicates unemployment remained at 10% in December, with 15.3 million unemployed persons.

Starwood Announces First of Three Luxury Collection Hotels to Debut in Peru

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:07:05 +0200

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) in a franchise agreement with Libertador Hotels, Resorts & Spas, today announced the opening of Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort, marking the debut of the first of three Luxury Collection hotels opening in Peru over the next two years. Ideally located on Peru’s pristine southern Pacific coast and surrounded by the Paracas National Reserve and the Ballestas Islands, Hotel Paracas features 120 guest rooms with private terraces, a 5,000 square foot spa, two outdoor pools, more than 5,000 square feet of event space and two signature restaurants and lounges. The Luxury Collection and Libertador will also soon unveil Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa in the sacred valley of Urubamba followed by the 2011 opening of Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Cusco, the capital of the ancient Incan Empire. Each spectacular property will seamlessly integrate local customs, culture and natural influences to offer global travelers unique and exceptional experiences in one of Latin America’s most culturally diverse destinations.

Starwood Hotels Completes Sale of Bliss Spas to Steiner Leisure for $100 Million

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 15:38:31 +0200

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) announced today that it has completed the sale of the Bliss spa and product company to Steiner Leisure Limited (Nasdaq:STNR) for $100 million. As part of the transaction, Bliss and Remède spas and amenities will remain exclusive to Starwood in the hotel category at W Hotels and St. Regis Hotels, respectively. Additionally, Starwood’s Aloft brand will continue to offer Bliss Tried+Blue amenities.

Starwood Opens First of Fifteen New Hotels in India

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 10:56:03 +0200

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announces the opening of The Westin Pune Koregaon Park – the first of six new Westin Hotels to open in India over the next three years and the brand’s 25th Hotel in Asia Pacific. The hotel is illustrative of Starwood’s overall growth in India with 24 existing hotels and plans to grow its footprint by 60 percent by 2012.

The St. Regis Brand Unveils Its Newest Ski Destination with the Debut of The St. Regis Deer Crest Resort in Utah’s Exclusive Deer Valley® Community

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:25:45 +0200

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is proud to announce the debut of The St. Regis Deer Crest Resort in Utah’s exclusive Deer Valley®. Ideally situated in the Wasatch Mountains on the famed ski runs of Deer Valley Resort in Park City, The St. Regis Deer Crest Resort features Utah’s first Jean-Georges restaurant and Remède Spa, North America’s only hotel funicular, a European style Ski Beach, a state-of-the-art fitness center and more than 14,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space.

Element Hotels Power up Another Eco-Innovation: In an Industry First, All Element Hotels to Install Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:23:55 +0200

A worldwide first for a hospitality brand, the program comes after piloting a charging station at Starwood-owned Element Lexington which proved to be a hit with guests and locals alike. Element Hotels is Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.’s (NYSE: HOT) new eco-chic brand.

Westin Hotels Opens Six Hotels in Six Weeks

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:01:18 +0200

Starwood today announces the opening of six new Westin hotels the remaining six weeks of the year. The upcoming openings underscore the Westin brand’s focus on international expansion and will include locations in India: The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace, The Westin Mumbai Garden City and The Westin Pune Koregaon Park; China: The Westin Tianjin; and the United States: The Westin Washington Dulles Airport and The Westin Lake Mary, Orlando North.

Starwood Becomes Senior Partner for Cornell School of Hotel Administration’s Leadership Development Program

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:05:40 +0200

The Cornell School of Hotel Administration and Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), two recognized leaders in the hospitality industry, have developed a corporate alliance that will begin with Starwood’s three-year senior partnership of the school’s Leadership Development Program (LDP). The alliance will formally begin January 1, 2010, and continue through December 31, 2013.

Starwood Hotels Set to Double Portfolio in Puerto Rico

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:45:16 +0200

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) – the hotel industry’s most global company – today announces it will double its presence in Puerto Rico in the next year with the opening of the island’s first W and St. Regis hotels and its second Sheraton.

Sheraton® Hotels & Resorts Introduces New Website and Becomes First in the Industry to Use Facebook Connect

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:43:03 +0200

Sheraton Hotels & Resorts announced today the launch of the new sheraton.com, the first hotel industry website to feature Facebook Connect and allow visitors to interact with their friends and family by sharing their travel experiences through today’s most popular social networking site. In 2006, sheraton.com became the first hotel industry website to embrace social media by featuring user generated content. Today, the brand continues to enhance the social media experience for guests by tapping into new social networking channels and enabling a two-way dialogue through the unique global travel community on sheraton.com. The launch of the new site is part of a $6 billion worldwide effort to revitalize the iconic Sheraton brand, including an investment of $2.3 billion in new hotels, $1.5 billion in renovations and $400 million in signature brand initiatives throughout North America.

W Hotels Worldwide Opens Its Ninth Hotel in 2009 with the Unveiling of W Boston

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:04:39 +0200

Envisioning a “virtual garden” concept, Bentel & Bentel’s design expresses this in myriad ways throughout the rooms and public areas of the hotel. Steel tendrils that define spaces and create visual interest are at the same time both organic and industrial.

W Hotels Worldwide Opens Its Ninth Hotel in 2009 with the Unveiling of W Boston

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:03:31 +0200

Falling water in the lobby is juxtaposed against interior and exterior glass and the dynamic interplay with what’s happening outside on Stuart Street and in the Theatre District. A modern fireplace is positioned at the most acute angle of the building providing a “beacon” of light to those passing by, enticing them to come inside to join in the fun.