Starwood Growth Plans Include 80 New Properties in 2012

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced that, building on a year of record growth and deal activity in 2011, it plans to open an additional 80 new hotels in 2012, following last year’s addition of 81 new hotels around the globe.

Last year was a record growth year for the company with 21,000 new hotel rooms opened around the globe, which was the largest organic growth in its history. Importantly, the company also signed 112 new hotel deals, the highest number of new deals since before the global economic crisis.

Turning to 2012, more than 60 percent of Starwood’s new hotels will be in the luxury and upper upscale segment including the 30th St. Regis hotel, the 80th Luxury Collection hotel and the 45th W hotel. In four years Starwood has grown its luxury room count by 75 percent and will celebrate its 150th luxury hotel milestone this year under its St. Regis, Luxury Collection and W Hotels brands.

With more luxury hotels than even Four Seasons or Ritz Carlton, Starwood is well positioned to capitalize on wealth creation around the world which continues to fuel demand for luxury hotels.

Influenced by macro economic growth trends, nearly 75 percent of Starwood’s new hotels in 2012 will open outside North America, strengthening Starwood’s lead as the largest global hospitality company in Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

Starwood’s growing global portfolio will also enhance its stronghold in the world’s fastest-growing markets. In fact, across all emerging markets, Starwood is now nearly the same size as Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt combined.

Starwood is also seeking to expand its Four Points by Sheraton and Aloft brands. Leveraging its longstanding tenure and teams in key global markets, it’s setting its sights on expanding its mid-market brands in secondary and tertiary markets around the globe where there is a long runway to grow reliable and affordable hospitality.

Accounting for 27 percent of the company’s global development pipeline, Starwood will open its 250th mid market hotel this year fueled by Four Points’ great global momentum, representing almost a quarter of Starwood’s openings and signings last year, as well as new brand Aloft, which launched global from the start, and just opened its 55th hotel.