"Our research indicates that there are both geographic and economic opportunities to provide quality and economical lodging to the mid-priced market in China," said John Wong, President and CEO of Discovery Hotel Group Limited.  "There are currently few or no alternatives for such mid-priced international quality accommodation for business travelers in many secondary cities," he added. 

The Starwood and Discovery Hotel Group alliance is in the final stages of negotiation to open a Four Points Hotel in China in 1999, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
 
"We are very excited to be working with John Wong and the Discovery Group to introduce this new top-ranked mid-priced hotel brand to China, a large and growing market for mid-price accommodation," said Ted Teng, President, Asia-Pacific Division, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.  Starwood expects to have at least 10 Four Points Hotels signed and under development in Asia-Pacific in the next three years.
 
China is developing as an economic powerhouse and, apart from the multinational corporations, many small and mid-sized businesses are interested in doing business in China.  These business travelers require consistent quality, access to business services, and assistance with the forms and processes of doing business in China.  "Four Points Hotels will function as business partners to these travelers, making their China ventures that much more cost-effective and successful," added Wong.
 
Discovery Hotel Group Limited operates from offices in Los Angeles, Shanghai and Beijing.  The company was founded by John W. Wong, a Los Angeles-based hotel executive who also owns and operates a Four Points Hotel in Ventura, California.  In addition to operating hotels in China, the Starwood and Discovery Hotel Group alliance includes the establishment of a hotel management training program in Shanghai.
 
Introduced in 1995, Four Points Hotels by Sheraton has grown to more than 90 properties in eight countries.  Unlike most mid-scale hotels, all Four Points Hotels by Sheraton are full-service and offer room service, an on-premise restaurant serving three meals daily, meeting rooms with full-service catering capabilities, a fitness facility; and most have swimming pools.
 
Four Points Hotels by Sheraton is the mid-scale brand of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.  Through its Sheraton, Westin, St Regis/Luxury Collection, Four Points, Ciga, W and Caesars subsidiaries, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has more than 700 hotels in 72 countries with over 223,000 rooms, and is one of the leading hotel companies in the world.