Starwood Hotels & Resorts Franchise News

"Rockstar Yourself" Social Media Sweepstakes Offers One Lucky Winner the Chance to Bring Five Guests to one of Live Nation's premier music festivals in London's Hyde Park, featuring Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band, John Fogerty, Amy McDonald and more!
STAMFORD, Conn., May 24, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG(R)), the award-winning loyalty program from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), announces exclusive access to London's biggest music performances in Hyde Park this summer. Through On Tour with SPG members will have the opportunity to redeem Starpoints for tickets and access to an SPG VIP hospitality space in Hyde Park during festival performance dates in July. Artists include some of the world's most celebrated like Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band, Rihanna, Drake, Nicki Minaj, and many more...

SPG Members Can Live the Formula One Experience with Unparalleled Access to the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team
STAMFORD, Conn. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG®), the award-winning loyalty program from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), today announced a three-year partnership with the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team. SPG® officially launched the new global partnership at the start of Formula One’s European season at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. The details of the new partnership were announced this morning with the team and Michael Schumacher at the W® Hotel in Barcelona.
Considered the most prestigious form of motor racing in the world, Formula One consists of a series of races known as ‘Grands Prix’ held on purpose-built and street circuits...

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today welcomes its top 100 global executives to Dubai, United Arab Emirates for the company’s annual leadership conference. This marks the first time the leadership conference is held in the Middle East, underscoring the importance of the region as one of Starwood’s fastest-growing hotel and travel markets. In another bold move to emphasize Starwood’s approach to cultivating a more global culture, the company announced today that it will relocate its U.S.-based headquarters to the Middle East in 2013 for a month-long managerial endeavor.
Starwood is the leading luxury hotel operator in the Middle East with an existing portfolio of nearly 50 hotels in 11 countries under eight of Starwood’s nine brands...

Starwood Lengthens Lead in MENA with 60% Portfolio Growth Adding More than 13,000 Rooms by 2017
Underscoring the Importance of the Region, Starwood Hosts Conference in Dubai with Company's Top 100 Global Leaders
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, May 07, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) --Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) is strengthening its position as the leading hotel operator in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region with an existing portfolio of nearly 70 hotels and a pipeline of 40 new hotels. This growth, primarily in the luxury and upper-upscale segments, represents an increase of nearly 60% over the next five years. In the past 18 months, Starwood has debuted six new hotels throughout MENA and momentum continues in the region where the company has recently inked deals for 10 additional hotels...

Scheduled to Open in 2017, the St. Regis, W Hotel and Westin Combined will Bring More than 1,600 rooms to the Global Gateway City
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Apr 30, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE)  - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) has signed an agreement with UAE-based conglomerate Al Habtoor Group to open three hotels in Dubai. Located on a one million square-foot property on Sheikh Zayed Road, the development will include the first St. Regis hotel in Dubai, a stylish W Hotel and a new Westin, adding 1,675 rooms to the city when they open in 2017. Starwood currently operates 15 properties in Dubai, representing the second largest concentration of the company's hotels in a single city outside of New York.
"We are delighted to partner with Al Habtoor Group on this ambitious development which marks an important milestone for us in Dubai," said Roeland Vos, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East...

Opening 23 Hotels in 2012
SHANGHAI, Apr 19, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) --With recent hotel openings in Ningbo, Sanya, Yangzhou and Xian, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced it has surpassed the opening of its 100th operating hotel in China with plans to open 15 additional hotels by the end of this year. With eight hotels already opened in the first quarter of 2012, Starwood will open a total of 23 hotels in China in 2012, which is on pace with 2011 openings making 2012 the second consecutive year the company has opened a record number of hotels here in any one year.
"In addition to the record-breaking pace at which we are opening hotels in China, we've signed 12 new deals in the first three months of 2012 and Greater China accounts for 44 percent of our global pipeline driven by an ever-increasing Chinese domestic travel market, as well as the fast-growing international inbound market," said Frits van Paasschen, President & CEO of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc...

NEW YORK, Apr 16, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) --Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announces a global partnership between Bentley Motors and the St. Regis(R) and The Luxury Collection(R) Hotels & Resorts. The partnership underpins the heritage and excellence of the brands, creating signature experiences for guests, residents and customers with driving programs, special events, brand initiatives and house fleets at flagship hotels around the world.
"Starwood's luxury brands continue to grow globally and so does the global nature of our guests," said Paul James, Global Brand Leader for the St. Regis and The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts. "We are committed to providing experiences that far surpass their expectations, and this partnership with Bentley enables our discerning guests to explore must-see destinations in unparalleled style...

Matt Avril, Miguel Ko and Denise Coll to Retire
STAMFORD, Conn., Apr 12, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) --Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announced today several promotions and changes to its leadership team. These changes follow the decision to retire by three admired senior leaders - Matt Avril, President of the Hotel Group; Denise Coll, President of Starwood North America; and Miguel Ko, Chairman and President of Starwood Asia Pacific. The planned retirements will take place over the next several months allowing for a smooth transition to their successors. Reflecting Starwood's long commitment to talent development, all of the new leaders are being promoted from within the Company.
Mr. Avril began his career with Starwood in 1989 through Vistana, Inc...

Hotel to undergo multi-million dollar renovation and fly Le Méridien flag.
STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced that it has completed the sale of the 275-room Atlanta Perimeter Hotel & Suites to RockBridge Partners, a division of RockBridge. The property, which will be franchised, is located just north of Atlanta’s city center and will be managed by Wischermann Partners, Inc. The hotel will continue to be affiliated with Starwood Hotels & Resorts and its award-winning Starwood Preferred Guest® program.
“We continue to pursue opportunities to sell our owned real estate at the right time to the right owners in the best interest of shareholders...

Adjacent to the Slopes of Changbai Mountains, The Westin Changbaishan Resort and Sheraton Changbaishan Resort will Welcome Guests in Summer 2012
STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 4, 2012-- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced it will open its first dual-branded ski resort complex in Changbaishan, China later this year. The Westin Changbaishan and Sheraton Changbaishan Resort will open in August 2012, adjacent to the slopes of Changbai Mountains, one of China’s leading ski areas. The highly anticipated resort complex will lengthen Starwood’s lead as the largest international luxury and upper upscale hotel operator in China.
“We look forward to introducing both Westin and Sheraton to Changbai Mountains with this spectacular, new ski resort complex where guests will enjoy world-class amenities set against the backdrop of one of China’s most visually stunning mountain ranges,” said Stephen Ho, Starwood’s Senior Vice President of Development for Asia Pacific...

Global Music Tour Provides Unparalleled Access to Private Acoustic Performances, VIP Artist After-Parties, and Premium Concert Tickets with a Range of Popular Artists like Jamie Cullum, Ben Folds Five, Daughtry, Rob Garza of Thievery Corporation, and more.
STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 4, 2012-- Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG®), the award-winning loyalty program from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), announces programming for 2012 through its partnership with Live Nation, the world's leading live entertainment and e-commerce company. In partnership with Live Nation, SPG is launching a first-of-its-kind global program On Tour with SPG: Hear the Music, See the World which will allow SPG members to experience exclusive music events in incredible destinations such as Dubai, Macau, Santiago, Paris, Miami and more...

For Fourth Consecutive Year, Starwood Hotels: Join Together to Mark Environmental Awareness Event
STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 30, 2012-- By spending an hour in the dark this weekend, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) will join millions around the world to send a powerful message about a brighter future for the planet.
Approximately 550 Starwood hotels around the world will turn off lights in observance of Earth Hour, the global environmental awareness event created by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). To underscore Starwood’s dedication to environmental sustainability, properties will activate other energy-saving measures during Earth Hour, March 31 at 8:30 p.m. local time. Among them: Turning off exterior signage lighting; dimming or turning off non-essential interior lighting; using candlelight in appropriate public areas such as restaurants and bars; and using in-room voicemail messages and in-room television messages to inform guests about Earth Hour observances...

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 29, 2012-- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announced today that it will release the company’s first quarter financial results prior to market open on Thursday, April 26, 2012, followed by a conference call at 10:30 a.m. EDT. The conference call will include a brief discussion of the quarter and a question-and-answer session. It will be moderated by Stephen Pettibone, Vice President of Investor Relations.
Participants may listen to the simultaneous webcast by logging onto Starwood’s corporate website at http://www.starwoodhotels.com/corporate/investor_relations.html. A webcast replay will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the live event...

Starwood Preferred Guest Launches a New Website, SPG.com/restaurantsandbars, that Offers SPG Members Access to Exclusive Discounts, VIP Culinary Experiences with World Renowned Chefs and the Opportunity to Win an Around the World Culinary Journey in a Global Sweepstakes – ‘Around the World in 5 Meals’
STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 27, 2012-- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) and its award-winning Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG®) loyalty program announced a mix of new culinary benefits at over 500 restaurants and bars for SPG members globally to enjoy at home and on the road. In conjunction with this announcement, SPG launched a new website, www.SPG.com/restaurantsandbars, where SPG members can take advantage of these exclusive discounts at more than 500 restaurants and bars worldwide...

Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ Element Hotels Brand to Launch Bike Charging Stations, Enabling Guests to Power Personal Electronic Devices as They PedalPilot Debuts at Element Miami International Airport Opening Ceremony, March 15
STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 15, 2012-- Promising “Balanced Living on the Road,” Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.’s (NYSE: HOT) Element Hotels brand has announced an initiative designed to marry Element’s commitment to providing health and fitness options for travelers with its green design sensibility. Element Hotels is set to pilot pedal-powered generators on stationary bikes in its fitness centers, enabling guests to generate electricity and charge their own personal electronic devices as they work out...

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 15, 2012-- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announced today that Jay Koval, Vice President of Investor Relations, will be stepping down from his position to pursue a new opportunity.  Stephen Pettibone has been appointed Vice President of Investor Relations, effective immediately.
Vasant M. Prabhu, Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer said, "We are excited for Jay as he moves on in his career. For six years, Jay has been an integral part of our team, steering our Investor Relations function during the financial crisis and subsequent growth of our business. Last year, Starwood's Investor Relations was named the Best in Gaming and Lodging by Institutional Investor Magazine...

Latest SPG app for iPhone® employs state-aware technology to provide personalized customer service, recommendations, bookings and travel information for a seamless, guest-centric experience across the company’s nine distinct brands.
STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 14, 2012-- Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), the award-winning loyalty program from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), today introduces its new application for iPhone and iPod Touch, which utilizes state-aware technology to create personalized guest experiences across Starwood’s nine distinct brands. The latest development is part of Starwood’s ongoing commitment to tech innovation to meet the needs of today’s connected global traveler—for example, Starwood was the first in the industry to offer FaceTime customer service, a feature that’s built into the new SPG app...

Starwood Preferred Guest Program Provides Access to Show Premieres, Behind the Scenes Tours, Q&A Sessions, Plus Guests Access Exclusive Rates and Discounts on Cirque du Soleil Performances
STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 6, 2012-- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) and its award-winning Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG®) loyalty program today announced an exclusive new, extended partnership with Cirque du Soleil, the world-renowned live entertainment company, that now includes Starwood’s North America Division. The extended alliance, including all nine Starwood brands, builds on the success of the existing partnership between Cirque du Soleil and Starwood Preferred Guest in Starwood’s Europe, Africa and the Middle East Division...

Despite Euro-Zone Crisis, Company Sees Increased Demand for Growth in Europe - Continues to Make Significant Investments in Existing Portfolio
BERLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 6, 2012-- From the International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) in Berlin, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced that it will open 25 new hotels in Europe over the next four years. The company is already off to a strong start this year, opening two new flagship hotels in Europe with a W hotel in Paris and a Le Méridien hotel in Istanbul. Globally, Starwood plans to open 80 new hotels in 2012, building on a year of record growth with 112 new hotel deals in 2011, the highest number since before the global economic crisis.
“Even against a backdrop of uncertainty, Starwood’s pipeline of both managed and franchised deals for all nine brands in Europe is healthy and expected to grow in 2012,” said Simon Turner, President of Global Development for Starwood...

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 2, 2012-- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) will be presenting during the Raymond James 33rd Annual Institutional Investors Conference in Orlando, Florida on Monday, March 5th at 2:50 p.m. ET. Jason Koval, Vice President, Investor Relations, will be speaking at the conference.
A webcast of the presentation and slides will be provided on Starwood’s investor relations website at http://www.starwoodhotels.com/corporate/investor_relations.html; a replay of the webcast will be available for seven days.
About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1,090 properties in nearly 100 countries and 154,000 employees at its owned and managed properties...