The Upscale Brand Meets Strong Demand for Moderately Priced Accommodation in Asia -- with the Opening of Four New Hotels in China and its First in Malaysia and Vietnam
SHANGHAI, April 9, 2008 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Four Points by Sheraton, the fast-growing upscale hotel brand operated by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) is accelerating its expansion in Asia Pacific. Four Points by Sheraton expects to open six new hotels in Asia Pacific this year, including four in China, in addition to its first hotel in Malaysia -- Four Points by Sheraton Kuching, and its first in Vietnam -- Four Points by Sheraton Halong Bay.
"Four Points by Sheraton is in the midst of a truly impressive, global growth spurt due to its popularity among customers and investors alike," said Miguel Ko, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific. "The strong demand for moderately priced lodging coupled with the increase in domestic travel in many Asian markets is helping to propel the brand's growth to a level that is expected to rival that of Starwood's luxury and upper upscale brands."
Four Points by Sheraton was introduced to Asia Pacific in 2000 with the opening of hotels in Sydney, Geelong, Shenzhen and Chung Ho. The brand's Asia Pacific portfolio has since grown to 21 hotels, eight already open for business and 14 under development in Mainland China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Cambodia and Vietnam.
Starwood's upscale brands -- which include the recently revitalized Four Points by Sheraton brand and Starwood's two newest entries in the category, aloft and element -- are fueling the company's pipeline growth in markets across the globe.
"The heightened demand for Four Points by Sheraton throughout Asia Pacific has played a key role in driving the brand's phenomenal international expansion," said Sandy Swider, Vice President, Four Points by Sheraton. "The atmosphere at Four Points by Sheraton helps guests both work and relax and our Simple Pleasures make them feel special."
With a flair for fun and an eye for clean, appealing design, Four Points by Sheraton covers all the basics including a comfortable bed, great shower, state-of-the-art meeting facilities, restaurant service and extras guests love like the brand's signature Best Brews program or Feel Good Treats.
"Four Points by Sheraton is an ideal product for many markets in Asia Pacific because the brand caters to both mid-scale business and leisure travelers, while meeting the demands of meeting and event planners with a comfortable, fun and fuss-free hotel experience that at the same time provides great value," added Ko.
The brand's new hotels opening in Asia Pacific this year include:
Four Points by Sheraton Changshu -- opened March 2008
Four Points by Sheraton Hangzhou, Binjiang -- opened January 2008
Four Points by Sheraton Beijing, Haidian -- scheduled to open July 2008
Four Points by Sheraton Guangzhou, Dongpu -- scheduled to open September 2008
Four Points by Sheraton Kuching, Malaysia -- scheduled to open in the third
quarter of 2008
Four Points by Sheraton Halong Bay, Vietnam -- scheduled to open in the third
quarter of 2008
Four Points by Sheraton
Four Points by Sheraton, with more than 129 properties in 23 countries, is offers the self-sufficient traveler a new kind of style and comfort combined with a spirited "can-do" service -- all at an honest value. Four Points by Sheraton hotels are located in easy-to-reach areas - close to major airports, suburban centers, urban hot spots and resort and vacation destinations. Four Points' Simple PleasuresSM program celebrates the little things in life that make a big difference in guests' travel such as a great beer, a free bottle of water, and a tasty treat at the end of a long day. It's those little extras that score big points with Four Points by Sheraton customers.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 900 properties in more than 100 countries and 155,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis(R), The Luxury Collection(R), Sheraton(R), Westin(R), Four Points(R) by Sheraton, W(R), Le Meridien(R) and the recently announced AloftSM and ElementSM Hotels. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit http://www.starwoodhotels.com/pressclub .
(Note: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities regulations. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and involve risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated at the time the forward-looking statements are made. These risks and uncertainties are presented in detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although we believe the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained or that results and events will not materially differ. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.)
