Starwood Hotels & Resorts to Open 25 New Hotels in Europe

From the International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) in Berlin, Starwood Hotels & Resorts today announced that it will open 25 new hotels in Europe over the next four years.

The company is already off to a strong start this year, opening two new flagship hotels in Europe with a W hotel in Paris and a Le Meridien hotel in Istanbul. Globally, Starwood plans to open 80 new hotels in 2012, building on a year of record growth with 112 new hotel deals in 2011, the highest number since before the global economic crisis.

Starwood's growth in Europe is being accelerated by a focus on key fast-growing markets, including Russia, Ukraine and Turkey. Starwood will double its portfolio in Russia and Ukraine by 2014 with openings in Moscow, Rostov-on-Don, Perm and Kiev. In Turkey, Starwood is expanding its pipeline aggressively with four new hotels opening in a three-year period, including the recent debut of Le Meridien Istanbul Etiler, marking the brand's entrance into the country. With that, Starwood will operate 10 hotels in Turkey under five of its distinct brands.

In just four years, Starwood has grown its global luxury room count by 75 percent. Turning to 2012, more than 60 percent of Starwood's new hotels will be in the luxury and upper-upscale segment.

In Europe, Starwood continues to expand its W Hotels brand into some of the world's most exciting and vibrant destinations. Following the launch of the W brand in Europe just four years ago, Starwood has opened new W hotels in London, Barcelona, St. Petersburg, Istanbul and most recently in Paris with the new W Paris -- Opera. The company will open two additional W Hotels in Europe next year with the new W Milan and the brand's first ski resort, W Verbier Retreat & Spa in Switzerland.

Starwood is also making significant investments to enhance its existing luxury portfolio in Europe. The company has invested more than $100 million USD to renovate and restore some of its most iconic Luxury Collection hotels, including the Grand Hotel in Florence, which re-opened last year as a St. Regis hotel, as well as the Hotel Alfonso XIII in Seville, Hotel Maria Cristina in San Sebastian and Hotel Gritti Palace in Venice.