STAMFORD, Conn. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Dec. 6, 2012 - Less than a year after premiering the Aloft brand in Latin America, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) forges ahead with its expansion plans to open four new Aloft hotels: Aloft Panama, which will debut in 2013, Aloft Merida and Aloft Asuncion slated to open by 2014, and Aloft Montevideo in 2015.
“Aloft is taking Latin America by storm,” said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President of Specialty Select Brands for Starwood. “The brand continues to develop a fiercely loyal following and experience strong momentum as it enters new markets around the world. We are excited about the brand’s growth in the region over the next two years.”
The expansion of the Aloft brand in Latin America is part of Starwood’s accelerated growth strategy. The company is strengthening its existing portfolio of 71 hotels in the region by 25 percent with 17 new Starwood properties already scheduled to open by 2016.
“This is an exciting time in Latin America as we continue to see economic growth, rising personal incomes and a growing middle class,” said Osvaldo Librizzi, Co-president of the Americas, Starwood Hotels and Resorts. “The expansion of Aloft into these key markets is yet another milestone in our overall development strategy and is an important step in strengthening our position as the leading hotel operator in Latin America.”
The Aloft brand’s momentum began when the brand made its debut in Latin America in December 2011 with the opening of Aloft Bogota Airport. Only three months later, Aloft San Jose in Costa Rica made its debut reinventing the local landscape with their bold design and a buzzing social atmosphere – all at an affordable price point. Both hotels earned certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), from the US Green Building Council (USGBC). Shortly after, Starwood signed a deal to build Aloft Panama City. Now, Aloft is slated for further expansion in three more important markets.
“The Aloft brand is a key part of our aggressive expansion strategy in the region,” said Ricardo Suarez, Vice President of Development & Acquisitions for Starwood in Latin America. “When Aloft premiered in Latin America, it made a bold statement by providing a true alternative to the existing select service products in the marketplace. We’ve seen strong guest and developer demand for this brand and its momentum clearly demonstrates that the region is ready for the next-generation Aloft hotel experience.”
The Aloft brand is a game-changing hotel concept with smart technology and a unique social atmosphere that has made it a worldwide hit. Every Aloft guestroom will feature soaring nine-foot ceilings, bold industrial touches, ultra-comfortable signature platform beds with plush bedding, and plug-n-play docking stations which link tablets, laptops or music devices to the room’s 42” LCD TV.
Aloft hotel’s cool initiatives in music, design, and technology have made it a must-have brand for the next generation traveler. Guests will be able to meet and mingle with friends at the buzzing w xyz® bar, happening re:mix™ lounge. Select properties will also have a rooftop “backyard” for social gatherings. The hotels also feature the hugely popular Aloft signature amenities, including re:fuel by Aloft®, its 24/7 pantry for self-service light meals and snacks with healthy options, and re:charge™, 24/7 gym, as well as relaxation at the hotel’s pool at selected properties.
With more than 60 hotels in 10 countries, Aloft has changed the hotel landscape by offering ‘style at a steal’ everywhere from Baltimore to Beijing to Bogota to Brussels – and everywhere in between. For more information, please visit www.alofthotels.com.
Aloft, like all brands within Starwood's portfolio, is proud to offer the Starwood Preferred Guest(R) program, which offers a breakthrough policy of no blackout dates on Free Night Awards. To learn more, please visit www.spg.com.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1,128 properties in nearly 100 countries and 154,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, and ElementSM. The Company boasts one of the industry’s leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest(R) (SPG), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. Starwood also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., a premier provider of world-class vacation experiences through villa-style resorts and privileged access to Starwood brands. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.
Source: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Aloft Global Public Relations
Stacy Trevino
203-964-4661
Stacy.Trevino@starwoodhotels.com
Starwood Hotels and Resorts Latin America
Gina Carriazo Hickey
786-219-5846
Gina.carriazo@starwoodhotels.com
With more than 140 hotels now open in over 20 countries and territories around the world, Aloft Hotels, part of Marriott International, Inc., delivers a fresh approach to the traditional staid hotel landscape.