Singapore, 22nd May, 2007 � Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT), one of the largest international hotel operators,
continues its aggressive expansion in Greater China, announcing 13 new
hotels in China and Taiwan just in the first quarter of the year.
The new signings include the first aloft hotel in Asia : aloft Beijing,
Haidian; a St. Regis resort in Lhasa, Tibet; a Sheraton and St. Regis on
the fast-developing COTAI Strip in Macau; a W in Guangzhou; two Westins,
two Sheratons and one Four Points by Sheraton.
Over the next decade, China will become the second largest travel and
tourism industry in the world, after the United States, accounting for
nearly 34% of total tourist arrivals in Asia Pacific, according to industry
sources. By targeting the emerging business and leisure travel destinations
in Greater China, Starwood is positioning itself to accommodate this surge
in tourism by adding 7,000 rooms to its portfolio with these new signings.
In 2006, Starwood opened six new hotels in the region including Sheraton
Urumqi Hotel; Le Royal Meridien Shanghai; Four Points by Sheraton Shanghai,
Pudong; Sheraton Ningbo Hotel; Sheraton Xiamen Hotel; The Westin Beijing,
Financial Street. Starwood currently operates 38 hotels in Greater China,
and is expected to open 33 new hotels in the region within the next three
years.
1. aloft Beijing, Haidian
Starwood�s highly anticipated select-service brand, aloft hotels, has
signed an agreement with Beijing Yongtai Hotel Management Co., Ltd to open
an aloft hotel in the capital city of China. aloft Beijing, Haidian
will be part of an integrated mixed-use complex including offices, residential
building and the recently signed Four Points by Sheraton Beijing, Haidian.
Creating a refreshing oasis for travelers, aloft Beijing, Haidian will
be located in Haidian district, a major information technology hub in Beijing
with proximity to the Haidian government district, major universities and
research institutes. The hotel�s facilities will include 200 guestrooms,
3,900 square feet of meeting space, recharge fitness center, splash indoor
swimming pool and three restaurants.
2. W Guangzhou Hotel & Residences
Scheduled to open in 2010, W Guangzhou Hotel & Residences will
be located inside Zhujiang New Town, an extension of the existing central
business district and an emerging recreation and entertainment center.
Guangzhou is the economic center of Pearl River Delta, the heart of one
of China�s leading commercial and manufacturing regions. This witty,
whimsical escape in the third wealthiest city in mainland China will include
320 rooms and suites, 167 serviced apartments, 16,000 square feet of meeting
space, three restaurants, a health club, Bliss Spa, W Store, a business
center and an indoor heated pool. W Guangzhou is a logical extension
of W�s growth in China, following the signings of W Hong Kong and W Shanghai.
3. Four Points by Sheraton Guangzhou, Dongpu
Four Points by Sheraton continues its expansion momentum in China with
the signing of the first Four Points by Sheraton hotel in Guangzhou city.
Opening in 2009, Four Points by Sheraton Guangzhou, Dongpu will be just
20 minutes from Zhujiang New Town, the extended new central business district
of Tianhe district. Facilities will include 310 guestrooms, more
than 5,800 square feet of meeting space, three restaurants, outdoor swimming
pool, and a health club and spa. Known for simple indulgences such as draft
beer and apple pie, Four Points by Sheraton was first introduced to China
in late 2004.
4. Sheraton Huadu Resort, Guangzhou
Starwood Hotels & Resorts has entered an agreement with Guangzhou
Zhong Tian Ying Estate Development Co., Ltd to manage a 97-villa Sheraton
resort in Huadu city in Guangzhou, expected to open in 2009. Just
ten minutes from the Baiyun International Airport of Guangzhou, Huadu is
a major gateway city connecting with the northern inland area of Guangdong
province. The Sheraton Huadu Resort, Guangzhou will offer both mountain
and water views, direct water access, 13,000 square feet of meeting space,
three restaurants, a health club and spa, and indoor heated pool. Offering
all of Sheraton� signature comforts, the resort will be part of an integrated
residential community that includes golf driving range, an 18-hole golf
course and over 1,000 private villas.
5. Sheraton Hsinchu Hotel, Taiwan
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc and Grace Construction
have announced a franchise agreement to operate the first international
upscale hotel in Hsinchu County, Taiwan. The newly built Sheraton
Hsinchu Hotel is scheduled to open in July 2010 in an area know for its
rich cultural offerings, thriving scientific community, natural beauty,
and bustling high-tech sector. Hsinchu is also an important harbor city
for both transportation and trading between northern Taiwan and Mainland
China. The Sheraton Hsinchu Hotel�s facilities will include 359 rooms,
four restaurants, more than 20,000 square feet of meeting space and Sheraton�s
full menu of services designed to help guests make connections while on
the road.
6. The Westin Shimei Bay Resort, Hainan Island
Starwood Hotels & Resorts has entered an agreement with Hainan
Haiyun Hotel Development Co. Ltd to manage a 164-room Westin hotel at Shimei
Bay, Hainan Island - a popular leisure destination known as the �Hawaii
of China.� Located along the stunning eastern coast of Hainan Island,
the Westin Shimei Bay Resort will encourage personal renewal and rejuvenation,
while offering convenient access to a wealth of cultural attractions, shopping
and entertainment districts. Opening in 2010, The Westin Shimei Bay
Resort, Hainan Island will feature 124 rooms, 40 villas, 4,300 square feet
of meeting space, three restaurants, a health club and spa, an outdoor
swimming pool and tennis courts. It will join a Le Meridien resort in the
Shimei Bay area, slated to open in 2008.
7. The Westin Xian
Developed by Xian Yungao International Hotel Co., Ltd, The Westin Xian
is scheduled to open in 2010, offering guests a chance to refresh and renew
in a city that has over 3,000 years of history. Known as the national history
museum of China, Xian is one of the four major ancient civilization capitals
along with Athens, Cairo and Rome. Xian is also the capital of Shaanxi
province, and the largest and most developed city in the central to northwestern
part of China. Energizing and refreshing travelers with a variety
of renewing services, The Westin Xian will feature 296 rooms, 11,300 square
feet of meeting space, five restaurants, a health club and spa, and indoor
heated swimming pool.
8. St. Regis Resort, Lhasa
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has reached an agreement
with Lhasa Yungao International Hotel Co., Ltd to manage St. Regis Resort,
Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region. The 169-room new-build St. Regis resort
will welcome travelers to Tibet, in the southwest of China, also known
as Roof of the World, in January 2010. St. Regis Resort, Lhasa
will be the first internationally branded luxury hotel to open in Lhasa
in more than 10 years. Designed by the world-renowned Denniston International
Architects and Planners, the property will feature 169 rooms, including
50 villa style suites and a presidential suite, 9,000 square feet of meeting
space, three restaurants, a health club and spa, indoor heated pool and
a business center. Guests at St. Regis Resort, Lhasa will delight in the
hotel�s seductive, uncompromising service.
9. Sheraton Macao Hotel
Starwood is spearheading a two-hotel project including a Sheraton and
St. Regis in Macao, as part of a flagship development in the new �Las Vegas
of Asia.� Comprised of two towers, the Sheraton Macao Hotel will offer
4,000 rooms, five restaurants, over 140,000 square feet of meeting space,
a spa, two outdoor swimming pools and a health club in each tower.
The first tower is expected to open in 2009 followed by the second tower
in 2010. Enabling guests to make connections while traveling, The
Sheraton Macao Hotel will provide warm intuitive service and a wide variety
of comforting signature amenities.
10. St. Regis Hotel & Residences, Macao
Opening in 2010, St. Regis Hotel & Residences, Macao will join
the Sheraton Macao Hotel as part of Starwood�s new development in Macao.
The St. Regis will offer guests approximately 460 rooms, including 341
standard rooms and 119 suites, four restaurants, 1,300 square feet of meeting
space, as well as a health club, Remède Spa, and swimming pool.
St. Regis Residences will include 429 whole owned residential units, ranging
from one-bedroom to four-bedroom units, as well as a separate swimming
pool and health club for residents. Following in the tradition of
the legendary St. Regis New York, The St. Regis Hotel & Residences
will offer guests and residence owners the famed hallmarks of St. Regis
hotels - butler service and luxury accommodation for worldly travelers.
11. Sheraton Zhoushan Hotel
Located in Zhoushan in Zhejiang province of China, the Sheraton Zhoushan
Hotel will help guests feel they truly belong in an area known for its
stunning beaches and extraordinary seafood. Zhoushan is located within
Hangzhou Bay on the largest island in an archipelago, and accessible from
several cities in China by road, air and sea. The new Sheraton will
consist of 420 rooms, over 45,000 square feet of meeting space, four restaurants,
a 42,000 square feet spa, a health club and retail shops.
12. Sheraton Nanchang Hotel
Located in the new financial district of Nanchang, the Sheraton Nanchang
Hotel is scheduled to open in 2011 as part of a mixed-use complex that
will also include offices and shopping. The Sheraton Nanchang Hotel will
consist of 350 rooms, over 20,000 square feet of meeting space, three restaurants,
a lounge, health club and spa, and an indoor swimming pool. Selected
by Newsweek as one of the 10 most dynamic cities in the world, Nanchang
is the capital city of Jiangxi province in Southeastern China. Welcoming
travelers to Nanchang with a hot of warm, comforting services, the hotel
will be within 20 minutes of the Nanchang Changbei Airport, close to a
railway station and coach terminal, and near the Xiao Lan Economic Zone,
where several foreign-owned companies are located.
13. The Westin Tianjin Hotel & Residences
The Westin Tianjin Hotel & Residences will help travelers energize
and renew while visiting the dynamic city of Tianjin, an area that is expected
to become a major hub and financial center in northern China. The hotel
is located in Heping district, the central business district of Tianjin
city, which will soon include more than 15 million square feet of new commercial
space and office buildings. When it opens in 2010, The Westin Tianjin
Hotel & Residences will consist of 300 rooms and 150 residences.
Other facilities include 17,000 square feet of meeting space, four restaurants,
a health club and spa, and an indoor heated pool.
About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. 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 and ELEMENTSM Hotels. 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 |