White Plains, N.Y. / Singapore � April 17, 2007 � Starwood Hotels &
Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announces eleven new franchise agreements
with ITC Limited. Illustrating Starwood�s strategy to aggressively
grow its footprint in India � the fastest growing Asia Pacific market for
international spending � the franchise agreements also represent the introduction
of The Luxury Collection brand and the expansion of the Sheraton brand
into the country. As a result of Starwood�s expansion into India, travelers
will soon have access to 23 hotels in the country under the Sheraton, Westin,
The Luxury Collection and Le Méridien brand umbrellas.
�We are thrilled to introduce The Luxury Collection brand to India
and to expand the footprint of the Sheraton brand, perfectly complementing
our existing portfolio of properties,� commented Miguel Ko, President of
Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific. �We are eager to embrace
the tremendous growth opportunities in both the gateway and secondary cities
of India.�
As part of the agreement and following significant renovations in recent
months, seven existing Sheraton hotels in India will be re-flagged under
Starwood�s The Luxury Collection brand. Additionally, franchise agreements
for three existing Sheraton hotels have been extended and an existing Welcomhotel
in Delhi will be re-branded as a Sheraton. The seven Luxury Collection
hotels are located in Bangalore, New Delhi, Agra, Hyderabad, Mumbai and
Kolkata and the four Sheraton properties are located in Chennai, Jaipur
and New Delhi.
The Luxury Collection ITC Mughal � Agra
The Luxury Collection ITC Mughal Agra hotel is situated near the center
of the city of Agra on 35 acres of beautifully landscaped lawns and gardens
and in close proximity to the Taj Mahal. Among its accolades, the hotel
has received the Aga Khan Award for excellence in Mughal Architecture and
has been awarded the British Safety Council�s Sword of Honour Award for
its commitment of safety. The hotel offers 285 guestrooms, over 6,000
square feet of meeting facilities and a Taj Mahal viewing observatory.
The Luxury Collection ITC Windsor Manor - Bangalore
The garden city of Bangalore, with its pleasant year-round climate
and cosmopolitan atmosphere, provides the graceful setting for The Luxury
Collection ITC Windsor Manor. The hotel�s architecture dates back to the
British Regency period, with 240 guest rooms and suites designed to re-create
the elegance and fine living of the era. The hotel is located three miles
from the center of the city and seven miles from the airport. With a fully
equipped business center and seven meeting rooms, the hotel is ideal for
business and leisure travelers alike.
The Luxury Collection ITC Kakatiya - Hyderabad
Commemorating the legendary spirit of the Kakatiya dynasty, The Luxury
Collection ITC Hotel Kakatiya envelopes each guest in Kakatiya art and
sculpture. Overlooking the picturesque Hussain Sagar Lake, The Luxury Collection
ITC Hotel Kakatiya offers 188 elegantly furnished rooms and suites, along
with state-of-the art business and conference facilities. The hotel
is ideally located in the new commercial heart of Hyberabad and is just
six minutes from the airport.
The Luxury Collection ITC Sonar Bangla - Kolkata
The Luxury Collection ITC Sonar Bangla is located in Kolkata � commonly
referred to as the intellectual capital of the country. Surrounded by 16
acres of lush greenery and water, the hotel boasts a relaxed, yet luxurious
ambience with 238 guestrooms, eight meeting rooms and the finest leisure
facilities, including a spa, tennis courts, and a chip-and-putt golf course.
The hotel�s Executive Club Rooms are also the largest in the city in their
category.
The Luxury Collection ITC Grand Central-Mumbai
The vibrant center of Mumbai is now home to The Luxury Collection ITC
Grand Central, Mumbai. India�s tallest hotel, at 30 stories, the hotel
reflects the colorful patchwork of cultures that the city is known for
� its colonial past, modern present, old English charm, warm Indian hospitality,
as well as modern facilities for business and leisure travelers.
The hotel offers the finest business and leisure facilities, 242 guest
rooms and suites and 6 conference suites.
The Luxury Collection ITC Grand Maratha-Mumbai
Located a mere 10 minutes from the Mumbai International Airport, The
Luxury Collection ITC Grand Maratha celebrates the spirit of Mumbai, the
economic powerhouse and the entertainment capital of India. Designed in
a classical style, the hotel reflects Mumbai�s Victorian past and the blending
of its local cultures. This prestigious property offers 386 elegantly
appointed guestrooms that include Deluxe, Luxury and Presidential Suites,
as well as extensive meeting facilities. The hotel is also close
in proximity to the business districts of North and Central Mumbai and
is within commuting distance from South Mumbai.
The Luxury Collection ITC Maurya - New Delhi
Located in New Delhi's exclusive diplomatic enclave, the Luxury Collection
ITC Maurya is only a 20-minute drive from the airport and city center.
The hotel offers 440 rooms, in a range of categories, including uniquely
designed suites, exclusive ITC One rooms, Luxury rooms, Tower rooms and
Executive Club rooms. The hotel also offers a Ladies Only Eva Floor
exclusively for female travelers. The hotel features a banquet hall,
as well as seven boardrooms for meetings and the award-winning Bukhara
North India restaurant.
The Luxury Collection ITC Windsor Manor - Bangalore
(formerly ITC Hotel Windsor Sheraton & Towers)
Windsor Square, 25 Golf Course Road
Bangalore, Karnataka India
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The Luxury Collection ITC Sonar Bangla - Kolkata
(formerly ITC Hotel Sonar Bangla Sheraton & Towers)
1 Halden Avenue
Calcutta, West Bengal India
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Sheraton Chola Hotel, Chennai
Ideally situated in the bustling commercial capital of Chennai, the
Chola Sheraton is located in the city where the British chapter of Indian
history began. The hotel is just seven miles from the airport, three
miles from the railroad station, and one mile from downtown Madras.
The hotel welcomes guests with 92 oversized guest rooms and suites, concierge
services, as well as five meeting rooms.
Sheraton Park Hotel & Towers, Chennai
Just seven miles from the airport, Sheraton Park Hotel & Towers
is situated in the heart of one of India�s most thriving and exciting cities,
Chennai. The hotel offers 283 well-appointed guest rooms and suites, eight
meeting rooms, an outdoor swimming pool as well as six restaurants and
bars for guests.
Sheraton Rajputana Palace Hotel, Jaipur
Strategically located near Jaipur�s city center and the international
airport, Sheraton Rajputana Palace Hotel, Jaipur features 216 guestrooms,
six meeting rooms and four restaurants and lounges.
Sheraton New Delhi Hotel, New Delhi
Located in the serene residential area of Saket, Sheraton New Delhi
Hotel is just 5 minutes away from the nearest Golf Course and the trendy
PVR Anupam Cinema Complex & Entertainment center, 15 minutes from Historic
Qutab Minar, and 35 minutes from the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
The hotel offers 220 guestrooms, including 67 Executive Club rooms and
six conference suites
About The Luxury Collection
The Luxury Collection is famed for its collection of over fifty-five
magical hotels, including the Hotel Danieli in Venice, the Hotel Grande
Bretagne in Athens, the Hotel Imperial in Vienna and The Phoenician in
Scottsdale, USA. As the third largest luxury hotel chain in the world,
The Luxury Collection (www.luxurycollection.com) is dedicated to providing
our global guest with an exceptional level of service that is crafted to
meet their personal needs and expectations, nothing less will do.
Our local ambassadors will ensure that each stay is an enriching experience
of the senses, with a flare for exploration and adventure. This is what
it means to be part of The Luxury Collection Brand.
About Sheraton Hotels
Sheraton, the largest brand of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide,
Inc. (NYSE:HOT) has more than 394 hotels in 65 countries. Starwood
Hotels & Resorts is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies
in the world with approximately 850 properties in more than 95 countries
and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood®
Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and
resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®,
The Luxury Collection®, Sheraton®, Westin®, Four Points®
by Sheraton, W®, Le Méridien® and the recently announced
AloftSM. 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.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning
of federal securities regulations.
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