Element is Reinventing the Longer-Stay Travel Experience
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - March 17, 2009 - Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announces the opening of Element Houston Vintage
Park, the first Element hotel to open in Texas. Inspired by Westin� Hotels
& Resorts, Element invites guests to check-in to a new travel experience
with comfortable public spaces, modern style and eco-friendly design.
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Element Houston Vintage Park
14555 Vintage Preserve Parkway
Houston, Texas
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Owned by Condor Hospitality, LLC and managed by InterMountain Management,
LLC of Louisiana, the newly constructed, 123-room hotel is a key part of
the new Vintage Park lifestyle center located in bustling northwest Houston.
The General Contractor for the Element is Benchmark Development Corporation
of Dallas. This is the first of two Element projects between the ownership
group, development team, and InterMountain Management. The Element Hotel
in Lone Tree, Colorado will open in the summer of 2009.
Awaken to Smart Eco-chic Design
The Element brand�s unique design philosophy is evident the moment
guests arrive. After passing through a signature portal that provides a
literal bridge to the Element interior, guests will be greeted with streams
of natural light from a multi-storied window wall. The vitality of the
lobby will be matched by the energy of the hotel�s outdoor fire pit and
barbecue, where a weekly evening reception allows guests to interact while
enjoying a selection of savory food.
�Every aspect of Element Houston Vintage Park is designed to help guests
recharge and be at their best while they are traveling,� said Brian McGuinness,
Vice President of Element Hotels. �Our guests will be able to experience
a whole new perspective on longer stay travel while enjoying vibrant northwest
Houston and easy access to the area�s leading technology firms, shopping,
dining and recreation.�
The smart design and clever use of space in the hotel�s guest rooms
rejuvenates and energizes guests for work or play. Guests are able to customize
their rooms to meet their needs with the multi-purpose, modular furniture,
swiveling flat-screen televisions, large desks with open shelving and custom-designed
closets. Rooms also offer a fully equipped kitchen that features modern,
ENERGY STAR-rated appliances and all the utensils necessary to prepare
a gourmet meal. Guests will rest soundly in the signature Heavenly®
Bed, and wake up and recharge each morning in a sleek, spa-inspired Heavenly
shower.
A Vital Travel Hub
Located in Houston�s premier northwest business and shopping area,
Element Houston Vintage Park is a key part of a new upscale retail and
lifestyle center, just minutes from the Willowbrook shopping complexes,
less than 20 minutes from the IAH Airport and 25 minutes from the heart
of downtown Houston. Also nearby are the offices of HP, the George R. Brown
Convention Center, Toyota Center, the Sam Houston Race Park and several
golf courses.
�Element Houston Vintage Park delivers a comfortable and inspiring longer
stay experience, as well as easy access to the best of northwest Houston,�
said Billy Brown, President, Condor Hospitality. �Ideal for both work and
relaxation, Element creates an inviting atmosphere enhanced by sleek, modern
spaces and natural touches.�
Space to Live Your Life
A signature complimentary breakfast offering, free wireless internet
access, state-of-the-art fitness center, chlorine-free pool and uninterrupted
indoor/outdoor public spaces will deliver everything the guests need to
work, relax or socialize on their schedule. Intuitive staff will provide
guests the personalized attention they need and the space they desire to
maintain balance while away from home.
Element Houston Vintage Park will also feature 456 square feet of meeting
space, an integrated technology center and library, as well as café
seating, a workspace and a flexible lobby space.
Great for the Earth, Great for Guests
Element Houston Vintage Park will be working towards LEED certification
in its first year of operation, as part of the Element brand�s historic
effort to require all its hotels to pursue this certification. The Element
brand�s green features are cleverly designed to be as aesthetically appealing
as they are eco-friendly, so guests never compromise on style and comfort.
Element Hotels are equipped with energy-efficient, stainless steel appliances
and lighting, amenity dispensers in the showers to reduce waste and water-efficient
faucets and fixtures. Guests can continue daily routines such as recycling
papers and plastics, as well as using green materials, while those driving
hybrid cars are rewarded with priority parking. Even the ubiquitous �Do
Not Disturb� sign has been replaced with an environmentally-friendly magnet.
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 940 properties
in approximately 97 countries and 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®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®,
Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and
the recently launched AloftSM, and ElementSM. 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.
About InterMountain Management
As one of North America�s leading owner/operator and third-party management
companies, InterMountain Management, LLC specializes in the select service
and extended stay hotel segments. For more than 25 years, InterMountain
Management�s dedication to success has been proven in the results as a
hotel owner, management company, and hotel developer. Their managed hotel
owners have benefited from the development and management knowledge and
experience gained from owning and operating our own hotel portfolio. They
currently own and/or manage over 70 premium branded hotels in 26 states
within Starwood and other leading hotel brand portfolios. For more information
or to view hotel locations across the U.S., please visit their website
at www.intermtn.biz.
(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.) |