Starwood Unveils Details of Planned Expansion in India

Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. which already has the largest upper-upscale and luxury Indian footprint of any U.S.-based hotel company, is launching a major expansion of its mid-market brands in the country.

The news comes as Starwood President and CEO Frits van Paasschen and the company’s leadership team embarks on a two-week tour of India to meet with hotel owners, developers and team members. Aloft will make its debut in India this year with three properties planned for 2010.

Aimed at Generation Y, Aloft is Starwood’s design-led, social-experience brand has been the fastest ramp-up of any brand in hotel history. As a young, tech-driven society, India will become a key market for Aloft’s development outside of the United States. By 2012, Aloft expects to operate six hotels in India, more than any other country in the Asia-Pacific region.

Aloft Chennai-OMR-IT Expressway, Aloft Bengaluru-Whitefield and Aloft Coimbatore Singanallur are all scheduled to debut in 2010. Next year, Starwood will continue Aloft’s ambitious expansion with the opening of Aloft Ahmedabad, SG Road; Aloft Chandigarh Zirakpur; and a second Bangalore hotel, Aloft Bengaluru Cessna Business Park.

Four Points by Sheraton and its “uncomplicated comfort” positioning, which has proved a huge hit for Starwood worldwide, debuted in India in 2009 with the openings of Four Points by Sheraton Navi Mumbai, Vashi; and Four Points by Sheraton, Jaipur City Square.

Starwood’s legacy in India began in 1973, when its Sheraton brand debuted in Mumbai. The company has since grown the portfolio to 26 hotels under its Westin, Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton, The Luxury Collection and Le Méridien brands. Starwood is on track with plans to grow its existing portfolio of 26 hotels by 60 percent by 2012.