Starwood announced a continued focus on growth in India and South Asia. Starwood’s legacy in the region dates back to 1973, and the company currently operates 34 hotels with 24 hotels in the pipeline. It aims to have 100 hotels under operation, development and management contracts signed by 2015 with eight out of nine Starwood brands flying their flag in India.
In the past year Starwood signed 10 new deals in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The company will open The Westin Chennai Velachery, Aloft Ahmedabad SG Road and Aloft Bengaluru Cessna Business Park, Le Méridien Mahabaleshwar Resort & Spa and Sheraton Chandigarh Hotel in 2013.
Rising wealth is helping drive demand for Starwood’s Upper Upscale and Luxury brands. Starwood is growing its upper upscale brands like Sheraton, Westin and Le Meridien further into Delhi National Capital Region (NCR) and gateway markets with the signing of Sheraton Greater Noida Hotel, Sheraton Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center, Le Méridien Delhi NCR, Noida and The Westin Delhi NCR Noida. Le Méridien brand will see a reenergized portfolio with the renovations of Le Méridien Bangalore, Le Méridien Jaipur and Le Méridien Kochi.
Starwood Hotels and Resorts is geared up to bring its world-renowned luxury brands St Regis and W Hotels to India. The W brand will arrive in India in 2014 with the opening of the W Retreat & Spa Goa followed by the W Mumbai, W Noida-Delhi NCR and W Gurgaon WTC, Delhi-NCR all of which are highly anticipated additions to Starwood’s luxury portfolio. St. Regis will make its debut in India with the opening of The St. Regis Noida, Delhi NCR in 2017. These brands have a strong following around the world, including among Indian luxury travelers. W London was awarded the ‘Favorite New Opening International Hotel’ by the Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Award last year, and this year The St. Regis Bangkok won the award in this coveted category.
Targets a robust Select Services portfolio
Starwood is looking to accelerate the expansion of its Four Points by Sheraton and Aloft brands setting its sights on expanding its mid-market brands. Starwood is focused on tier 2 cities with hotels currently open and under development such as Coimbatore, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Mysore, and Amritsar. Starwood is also venturing into micro markets such as Faridabad, Noida, and Gurgaon.
