Yippee Ki-Yay: Starwood Hotels’ Game-Changing aloft Brand Powers Ahead Deep in the Heart of Texas

Aloft hotels
Published: July 8th, 2015

Nine More aloft Hotels will Open in the Lone Star State by 2018

STAMFORD, Conn. - July 8, 2015 - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.® (NYSE:HOT) today announced that its innovative aloft brand will more than double its portfolio in Texas in the next three years. Designed for the always connected, evolving global traveler, aloft will grow its portfolio from seven to sixteen hotels in the Lone Star State by 2018, with the addition of two more hotels in Houston, two more in Austin, three more in Dallas-Fort Worth, and debuts in other cities including Shenandoah and College Station.

“aloft is experiencing phenomenal growth in Texas, in addition to key markets across the globe, due to the tremendous appeal of the brand’s tech-forward mind-set, vibrant social scene and innovative global programming,” said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President, Specialty Select Brands for Starwood. “On the cusp of opening its 100th hotel worldwide, aloft remains one of the fastest growing brands in the history of hospitality with a rapidly growing pipeline.”

“aloft is gaining considerable momentum across Texas, fueled by rising demand for high-quality lodging in a number of the state’s fastest growing cities,” said Allison Reid, Senior Vice President of North America Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. “The distinct design aesthetic and lively social atmosphere offered by aloft is proving to be a hit with travelers, which in turn has generated a buzz in the development community throughout North America and beyond.”

With design-led innovation in the brand’s DNA, every aloft hotel features modern design, loft-like rooms and innovative technologies for the early adopter. Known for its buzzing social scene and innovative global music programming, aloft Hotels has put the spotlight on up-and-coming artists since the brand’s 2008 inception with of Live At aloft Hotels, the signature ongoing music series offered at every hotel worldwide. The popular, no-cover acoustic sets showcase emerging talent with live, intimate performances in WXYZ bars for both guests and music-loving locals. Other signature amenities include Re:fuel at aloft – a one-stop gourmet grab & go food and beverage area, a Splash pool and 24-hour fitness center.

aloft Hotels opening in Texas in the next three years include:

• aloft College Station (August 2015)
  Just minutes from the Texas A&M University campus, aloft College Station is a highly anticipated addition to this bustling college town. Offering 102 rooms and 1,500 square feet of flexible meeting space, the new aloft is also near Blinn College, the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, Post Oak Mall, Grand Station Entertainment Center and the restaurants, bars and music venues in the popular Northgate district. Also nearby are numerous technology and telecommunications companies in the Business Center at College Station.
• aloft Houston Downtown (2016)
  aloft Houston Downtown is an adaptive re-use project and will occupy the historic Stowers Furniture Building, built in 1913. Offering 165 rooms and 2,000 square feet of meeting space, the hotel will be ideally positioned at the heart of the Central Business District near several major corporations including Shell Oil, JP Morgan Chase, Chevron and KPMG. Nearby attractions include Minute Maid Park, the George R. Brown Convention Center and the Theater District.
• aloft Austin Northwest (2016)
  aloft Austin Northwest will be ideally located in one of the fastest growing areas of Austin. Featuring 131 rooms and 1,000 square feet of meeting space, the hotel will be adjacent to the Lakeline Mall, the largest indoor mall in Austin, and close to the campus of Dell Inc., Round Rock Sports Center, University of Texas at Austin, Southwestern University and Dell Diamond Baseball Stadium. The bars, night clubs and live music venues of downtown Austin are also within easy reach.
• aloft Richardson (2016)
  Located within the new 186-acre CityLine development in Richardson, aloft Richardson will offer 148 rooms and 3,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting space. The nine-story hotel will open during the first phase of the massive CityLine development, along with three office towers, a medical office building, residential apartments, restaurants, shops, an entertainment space, a wellness/fitness facility and a 3.5 acre park. Approximately 22 miles from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), aloft Richardson will help meet the demand for high-caliber lodging on the city’s north side. The hotel is adjacent to the State Farm Regional Corporate Office and close to the Richardson Telecom Corridor – home to more than 500 companies including Texas Instruments, Raytheon, Verizon, AT&T and Bank of America.
• aloft Dallas Love Field (2016)
  aloft Dallas Love Field will be part of a dual-branded Starwood hotel development along with Element Dallas Love Field. Ideally located just one mile from Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL), the 133-room aloft and 91-room Element will share facilities including 6,500 square feet of meeting space, a swimming pool and fitness center. The hotels will be part of West Love, a 37-acre mixed-use development that will also include apartments and more than 24,000 square feet of retail space. Just one mile from Dallas Love Field Airport, the new aloft will offer proximity to downtown Dallas, the Southwestern Medical District, the Design District, the shops and restaurants at Dallas Market Center and AT&T Stadium.
• aloft Houston West (2017)
  aloft Houston West will offer a prime location within the Houston Energy Corridor, a bustling hub with more than 300 multinational and local energy companies. The hotel will offer 117 rooms and 2,000 square feet of meeting facilities in a convenient location at the intersection of I-10 and Houston Chronicle near Westgate, a 20-acre office park now under development. The hotel will be convenient to the offices of numerous large corporations such as BP America, Citgo, ExxonMobil and ConocoPhilips and top area attractions such as CityCentre and Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.
• aloft Austin Downtown (2017)
  Located near the intersection of 7th and Congress, the 260-room aloft Austin Downtown will join the 150-room Element Austin Downtown as part of a 32-story dual-branded Starwood development. The aloft hotel will be walking distance to the live music venues, restaurants and shops in the city’s renowned 6th Street Entertainment District and within close proximity of the Warehouse District, the 2nd Street District, the Austin Convention Center, the University of Texas – Austin campus and the Texas State Capitol Building. The hotels will share amenities including a restaurant and bar with outdoor dining along historic Congress Avenue, an oversized fitness center and nearly 2,500 square feet of flexible meeting space.
• aloft Arlington Entertainment District (2017)
  Ideally situated within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, aloft Arlington Entertainment District will open within a new mixed-use development known as The Village at Ballpark Way, which will also include retail space and medical offices. Featuring 136 rooms, an outdoor Splash pool, fitness center and 580 square feet of flexible meeting space, the new hotel will be just minutes from top attractions including AT&T Stadium, Six Flags Over Texas, Hurricane Harbor, Globe Life Park (home of the Texas Rangers), Arlington Highlands and the shops and restaurants at Lincoln Square Shopping Center.
• aloft Shenandoah – Near the Woodlands (2018)
  aloft Shenandoah – Near the Woodlands will be well positioned directly across I-45 from The Woodlands, one of the country’s premier master planned communities and a leading business center, located 27 miles north of downtown Houston. Nearby corporations include ExxonMobil, Halliburton and Chevron Phillips. Walking distance to several restaurants and the Main Event entertainment venue, the hotel will also offer easy access to The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, The Woodlands Waterway and Market Street District.

The aloft brand’s innovative and exclusive initiatives set it apart from the competition. aloft Hotels recently announced the launch of SPG Keyless—an evolution of aloft’s Smart Check-in— the hospitality industry’s first mobile, keyless entry system allowing guests to use their smart phone as a key. The technology is rolling out to all aloft, Element and W Hotels Worldwide by year’s end.

Let’s get social. Follow @aloftHotels on Twitter, check us out on Instagram @aloftHotels, or head to Facebook.com/aloftHotels.

About aloft Hotels

With 100 hotels open now and coming soon in 15 countries around the world, Starwood’s aloft brand delivers a fresh approach to the traditional staid hotel landscape. For the ‘always on’ next generation of traveler, the aloft brand offers a tech-forward, vibrant experience and a modern style that is different by design. For more information, please visit www.alofthotels.com.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 1,200 properties in 100 countries and over 180,000 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®, Element® and the recently introduced Tribute Portfolio™. The Company boasts one of the industry’s leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG®), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. Earlier this year, Starwood announced plans to spin off its Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc. business, a premier provider of world-class vacation experiences through villa-style resorts and privileged access to Starwood brands, into a standalone public company by the end of 2015. For more information, please visit http://www.starwoodhotels.com

SOURCE Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Media Contact:

Ashley Chapman
212-380-4015
Global Public Relations, aloft, Element & Four Points
ashley.chapman@starwoodhotels.com