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Starwood Hotels Picks up Momentum in Latin America

By: Starwood Hotels & Resorts |  8 Shares     90 Reads

In 2011, Starwood will Debut its Westin Brand in Three New Countries and Open its First All-Inclusive Resort in Latin America

Starwood CEO to Meet with Owners and Developers in Five Latin American Countries this Week, including Brazil, Chile, Peru, Argentina and Uruguay WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Mar 02, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced it will accelerate growth in Latin America with six new hotels opening in 2011, resulting in a portfolio of nearly 70 hotels in 13 countries by year's end. This week, Starwood President and CEO Frits van Paasschen, President of Global Development Simon Turner, Chief Brand Officer Phil McAveety and several other senior Starwood executives head to Latin America to discuss future hotel development with owners and developers in five countries, including three of its fastest growing markets - Brazil, Panama and Peru.

"Starwood is ramping up across Latin America in response to the increased demand for high-caliber global brands in a region that is poised to grow more than four percent in 2011," said Osvaldo Librizzi, President of Starwood's Latin America division. "We are capturing more than our fair share of this fertile market and expect even more hotel deals to follow this week's visit. Of particular interest is Brazil, where a flurry of hotel development is expected in the run-up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics."

Starwood's growth leader in Latin America is Westin Hotels, which will increase its portfolio by 50% in the region with the opening of four new hotels this year. Westin will make its landmark debut in three countries: Peru, Panama and Costa Rica, where it will also open its first all-inclusive resort - The Westin Playa Conchal Resort & Spa. The Westin Guadalajara will open in August in Mexico's second largest city, following the recent opening of The Westin Santa Fe.

"In the past few years, Westin has transformed from a primarily North American brand to an international market leader, with the bulk of its growth fueled by the world's most dynamic, emerging economies," said Simon Turner, President Global Development. "Our rapid expansion in Latin America highlights the success of the Westin brand's distinctive wellness positioning in this fast-growing market. By year's end, Westin will expand its footprint to five Latin American countries, strengthening Starwood's position as the largest four and five star hotel operator in the region."

Starwood will debut its "style-at-a-steal" Aloft brand in Latin America in 2011 with the opening of Aloft Bogota Airport. Another milestone is this year's opening of the tenth Luxury Collection hotel in Latin America - Villarica Park Lake Hotel & Spa in the volcanic region of southern Chile, which joins the two Luxury Collection Hotels opened in Peru in 2010 - Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa strategically located near Machu Pichu, and Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort on the Pacific Coast. The St. Regis brand also continues to grow in Latin America with The St. Regis Buenos Aires scheduled to break ground in 2011, following the recently opened St. Regis Mexico City.

The Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center, Peru

The Westin LimaHotel & Convention Center will open in May 2011 in the heart of San Isidro, the financial and shopping hub of Lima, Peru. Within walking distance to the city's embassies, galleries, boutiques and restaurants, the 301-room hotel will offer the largest meeting and convention center in Peru with more than 28,000 square feet of space, including 10 meeting rooms and a grand ballroom. Guests will enjoy a choice of dining options, Westin Heavenly spa and Westin Workout fitness center, and the full suite of Westin signature amenities.

The Westin Playa ConchalResort & Spa, Costa Rica

The Westin Playa Conchal Resort & Spa will be Starwood's first all-inclusive resort and the first Westin in Costa Rica. Scheduled to open in May 2011, the resort is nestled between lush forests and the pristine beaches of Costa Rica's North-Pacific Riviera and offers 406 oversized guest rooms, suites and villas and more than 2,000 square feet of meeting and function space. Amenities include an 18-hole golf course, the Ahui Spa, fitness center, tennis courts, beach access and a spectacular outdoor swimming pool.

The Westin Guadalajara, Mexico

The Westin Guadalajara will open in August 2011 in the World Trade Center area, next to the Expo Guadalajara Convention Center and just 25 minutes from Guadalajara International Airport. The newly constructed hotel will meet the increased need for high-caliber lodging in Guadalajara, Mexico's second largest city with a population of approximately 4.1 million. The Westin Guadalajara will offer 221 guest rooms, including 15 suites and the Presidential suite, as well as 4,300 square feet of meeting and function space, a restaurant, lobby bar and Westin Workout facility.

The Westin Playa Bonita, Panama

When it opens in October 2011, The Westin Playa Bonita Panama will be the fifth Starwood hotel in Panama, which has emerged as one of Latin America's key financial hubs. The newly constructed hotel offers breathtaking water views and a prime location, just minutes from Panama City and close to major urban tourist attractions including the Panama Canal and Casco Viejo - the historic old city. The Westin Playa Bonita will feature 611 luxurious guest rooms, three restaurants, a pool bar, entertainment area, lobby lounge and approximately 12,000 square feet of meeting and function space. Recreational facilities will include several pools and a full-service spa with 20 treatment rooms.

Aloft Bogota Airport, Colombia

The opening of Aloft Bogota Airport in late 2011 will mark the landmark entry of Starwood's stylish Aloft brand in Latin America. Aloft Bogota will open within the Connecta retail and office complex, just a few blocks from the airport. The hotel will feature 142 guest rooms, approximately 1,000 square feet of meeting space and more than 100 dedicated parking spaces. At Aloft Bogota, travelers will find smart signature features that have made Aloft the most successful launch in hospitality industry history. Savvy guests can surf their laptops via complimentary hotel-wide wireless Internet access, shoot a game of pool, or grab a drink with friends in the always-happening re:mixSM lounge. The re:chargeSM fitness center and splash pool give travelers options to de-stress and re-energize, while re:fuel by AloftSM, a one stop "grab-and-go" cafe with an urban cafe feel, offers sweet, savory and healthy food, snacks and beverages 24 hours a day. For more information, please visit: www.alofthotels.com.

Villarica Park Lake Hotel & Spa, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Chile

Starwood's Luxury Collection brand will reach ten hotels in Latin America with the opening of The Villarica Park Lake Hotel & Spa, a Luxury Collection Hotel in March of 2011. The hotel is ideally situated in the Araucanía region 435 miles south of Santiago, surrounded by lakes, volcanoes and mountains. The Villarrica Park Lake Hotel & Spa, a Luxury Collection Hotel is surrounded by stunning landscapes and vegetation and boasts spectacular panoramic views from its 70 rooms and suites. Guests are invited to unwind at the hotel's luxurious spa, featuring a variety of indigenous treatments, fully equipped sauna and steam room, as well as a fitness center and indoor/outdoor pools. The hotel offers spacious meeting rooms for events, conventions or incentive groups, with state of the art technology and access to its 24-hour business center.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1025 properties in 100 countries and territories with 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis(R), The Luxury Collection(R), W(R), Westin(R), Le Méridien(R), Sheraton(R), Four Points(R) by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft(R), and Element SM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

SOURCE: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

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