Starwood Continues Expansion in India

Starwood has signed a Non-Exclusive Master Agreement with D.I.H (Cyprus) Limited (an affiliate of Duet India Hotels Ltd.) and JHM Interstate Hotels India Pvt. Ltd.

 The agreement was signed concurrently with the execution of the agreement for the Four Points by Sheraton Pune, Nagar Road. The Non-Exclusive Master Agreement also covers the Four Points by Sheraton Jaipur City Square which opened in October 2009 and Four Points by Sheraton Visakhapatnam. Four Points by Sheraton Pune, Nagar Road and Four Points by Sheraton Visakhapatnam are both targeted to open in October 2010.

In a significant vote of confidence for India's burgeoning travel market, Starwood is launching a major expansion of its mid-market brands, Four Points by Sheraton Hotels and Aloft Hotels, in India. Starwood is well on track with its plans to grow its existing portfolio of 26 hotels in India by 60% by 2013 with the opening of the first Four Points by Sheraton in Navi Mumbai, Vashi in partnership with the Rahejas Group.

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. By 2013, Starwood expects to have an additional 15 new hotels in India across the Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton and Aloft brands.

Four Points by Sheraton debuted in India in 2009 with the openings of Four Points by Sheraton Jaipur City Square and Four Points by Sheraton, Navi Mumbai, Vashi.

"Starwood has spent the last two years laying the groundwork for the debut of the Four Points by Sheraton brand in India, and we are thrilled to see our plans come to fruition with the opening of two Four Points hotels last year and the signing of this partnership with D.I.H. Cyprus Limited and JHM Interstate," said Miguel Ko, Chairman & President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific. "We look forward to continuing to grow this brand in key markets throughout India and Asia Pacific with Duet India Hotels, JHM Interstate and other development partners."

Dilip Puri, Chief Executive Officer, Duet India Hotels added "Our focus on the development of first class international hotels in central and secondary business district locations in India is completely in sync with the vision of the Four Points by Sheraton brand. We are very happy and look forward to a fruitful partnership with the Starwood Group."

All Four Points properties in India, including the hotels in Navi Mumbai, Jaipur and the soon to open hotels in Pune and Visakhapatnam, are new builds, bringing a new generation of sleek, modern, and stylish mid-market hotels to the country.

"Starwood has responded to India's acute need for mid-market lodging by working with proven development partners to open best-in-class conversion and new-build hotels throughout this dynamic emerging market," said Simon Turner, President of Global Development for Starwood. "Four Points by Sheraton continues to experience substantial growth around the world based, in part, on its flexibility which has proven to be an appealing option in a variety of markets. For example, in 2010, Four Points will debut with new build hotels in Lagos, Nigeria, as well as Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand."

"In keeping with the Four Points brand's commitment to providing honest, uncomplicated comfort, our hotels will offer travelers to and within India timeless style and 'can-do' service combined with simple pleasures like free high-speed Internet access in all public spaces, a great local craft beer at the end of a long day, our signature breakfast and a great night's sleep," said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President of Specialty Select Brands for Starwood. "We are very excited about the signing of Four Points by Sheraton Pune, Nagar Road and Four Points by Sheraton Visakhapatnam and look forward to welcoming travelers."

See other recent news regarding: Airlines, Airports, Awards, Flights, Codeshare, Lounges, First Class, Business Class, MICE, GDS, Rewards, Miles, Hotels, Apartments, Promotions, Spas, Yoga, Retreat, New Hotels, Traffic, Visitor Arrivals, Cruises, Free Deals, Videos, Starwood, India