FRANKFURT,
Germany--Sep. 18, 2012-- Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) has signed an agreement with Bari Gruppe
GmbH & Co. KG to open a new-build Element hotel at Gateway Gardens,
Frankfurt`s new city district near the airport. Scheduled to open in
2014, Element Frankfurt Airport marks the much-anticipated European
debut of the trailblazing eco-wise brand. The hotel will be located in
a newly developed business district at the doorstep of Europe's third
busiest air travel hub, near the global headquarters of companies such
as Lufthansa, Condor and DB Schenker.
Launched in 2008, Element has made history as the only major hotel
brand to mandate that all properties pursue LEED (Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design) for high-performance buildings. More than
just a "green" hotel brand, however, Element is designed to provide the
balance that business and leisure travelers need to thrive on the road.
"We are proud to partner with Bari Gruppe as we debut the first Element
hotel in Europe," said Roeland Vos, President, Starwood Hotels &
Resorts, Europe, Africa & Middle East. "We see great opportunities
to grow the Element brand in markets such as Germany, where there is a
strong demand for affordable and innovative hotel brands. The signing
of Element Frankfurt Airport underlines Starwood's continued commitment
to expanding our portfolio globally and particularly in Europe."
Marco Bari, Bari Gruppe GmbH & Co. KG added, "This is the beginning
of what we anticipate will be a long-term relationship with Starwood as
we introduce Element Hotels to Europe and establish it as the
continent's most eco- and guest-friendly extended-stay brand."
In keeping with the tenets of the Element brand, Element Frankfurt
Airport's 133 light-filled studios and one-bedroom suites will be
stylish, sustainable and designed for comfort. Each will feature a
fluid design of modular furniture, swiveling flat-screen televisions,
large desks with open shelving and custom-designed closets. Bathrooms
will be spa-inspired, with an invigorating rain shower and dual-flush
toilet. Rooms will also feature fully equipped kitchens and the
signature Heavenly® Bed.
Other brand signatures will include a state-of-the-art, 24-hour fitness
center - and a meeting room with modular furnishings, a flexible layout
and state-of-the-art technology that can be customized to meet any
business or social needs. In addition, Element Frankfurt Airport will
offer a signature restaurant and espresso bar.
"In the years to come, we plan to expand Element throughout Europe with
development partners, like Bari Gruppe, who are as committed as
Starwood to innovation and sustainability in the hotel industry," said
Bart Carnahan, Senior Vice President Acquisitions & Development,
Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa & Middle East.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts currently operates 25 hotels and resorts
throughout Germany under five of its nine distinct and compelling
brands. Element Frankfurt Airport will be Starwood's fifth hotel in
Frankfurt, joining Le Méridien Parkhotel Frankfurt, The Westin
Grand Frankfurt, Sheraton Frankfurt Congress Hotel and the Sheraton
Frankfurt Airport Hotel & Conference Center.
About Element Hotels
Accessible, affordable and active, Element Hotels is made to order for
guests in the know and on the go. Its bright, contemporary design
defies convention, bathing guest rooms and public spaces in natural
light. Stylish and sustainable throughout, Element offers comfort with
a conscience and lots of signature amenities from complimentary healthy
breakfast, RELAX evening reception and spacious fitness centers.
To date, there are Element hotels in 10 U.S. markets, with new domestic
and international hotels in development.
Visit
http://www.ElementHotels.com
or connect on
Facebook.com/ElementHotels
.
About Starwood Hotels &
Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading
hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1,112 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 (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
http://www.starwoodhotels.com
.
About Bari Gruppe
Bari Gruppe GmbH & Co. KG is a Munich based company specialized in
development, leasing and operating mid and upscale branded hotels in
Germany and other European countries. As of August 2012, other
subsidiaries and operating companies in the group are D Hotel Konzept
GmbHD Food Konzept GmbH. For more information, please write to
[email protected].
(Note: This press release contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of federal securities regulations. Forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and
involve risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual
results or events to differ materially from those anticipated at the
time the forward-looking statements are made. These risks and
uncertainties are presented in detail in our filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Although we believe the
expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based
upon reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our
expectations will be attained or that results and events will not
materially differ. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or
revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.)