W Hotels Forges Ahead with Global Expansion, Introducing its Cutting Edge Design, Energetic Vibe, and Unparalleled Service to the Dynamic City of Suzhou
SUZHOU, China, April 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announced plans to debut the W Hotels brand in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, Eastern China, in 2017, signing an agreement with development partner Suzhou Industrial Park Jinji Lake Urban Development Co., Ltd. (SIPJUD). W Suzhou joins the W brand's robust pipeline for Greater China, where the first W Hotel in mainland China, W Guangzhou, opened recently.
"In Asia Pacific, we have nine existing W Hotels and 10 in the pipeline, four of which are in Greater China. The W brand is in the midst of a phenomenal growth trajectory, greatly enhancing Starwood's footprint in the region," said Qian Jin, President, Greater China, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. "Since the W brand debuted in New York in 1998, it has become a global powerhouse, bringing a design-led approach to, and redefining hospitality in, the most exciting destinations around the globe."
Starwood currently operates 119 hotels in Greater China and is on track to open another 18 hotels in the region by the end of the year. As part of this growth strategy, a number of W Hotels will debut within the next several years, bringing the W brand's distinctive programming to vibrant and trendsetting cities, including Beijing, Changsha, Shanghai, and now, Suzhou. Other W Hotels in the pipeline for Asia Pacific include Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai, Goa, and Noida, India.
"The W brand's future debut in Suzhou Centre indicates Starwood & SIPJUD's realization of market potential for an innovative management concept," said Mr. Xu Guoping, President of SIPJUD. "We hope both sides will be dedicated in creating this masterpiece, using the W brand's unique creativity in setting trends tomorrow, adding an enchanting touch to 'Modern Suzhou.'"
Set to bring a new scene to Suzhou with the brand's passion for what's new/next in design, fashion and music, W Suzhou will be situated in the Jinji Lake Circle in the heart of the ultra-modern Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP), the city's bustling central business district that boasts the presence of numerous Fortune 500 companies. It is also home to the Suzhou International Expo Center, Suzhou Culture and Arts Center, Time Square and other leading tourist attractions including Ferris Wheel Park, Li Gong Di, Jinji Lake Music Fountain and so on.
"Suzhou possesses considerable economic clout, with a GDP that ranks very high among Chinese cities," said Franck Huang, Vice President, Acquisition & Development, Greater China, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. "It is also a dynamic location, with rich juxtapositions of energized modernity amid centuries-old traditions – a colorful vibrancy that the W brand embraces and will take to new heights of luxury, sophistication, and service."
With just a 30-minute ride to the Shanghai Hongqiao Transportation Hub by high-speed rail, an hour car ride to Hongqiao Airport and a two-hour drive to Pudong International Airport, W Suzhou will be conveniently connected to all parts of the city and gateway cities of Shanghai. Set among gleaming high rises, mixed-use commercial developments, and the scenic Jinji Lake - the largest interior lake in China, W Suzhou will boast stunning lake views and consist of 366 stylish rooms and 71 serviced apartments designed with the international jetsetter in mind. It will feature adequate meeting and event space, WIRED business center, spa, state-of-the-art fitness center, WET® indoor heated swimming pool, W The Store and retail shops. In addition, the hotel will offer four unique food and beverage venues, including an all-day interactive dining restaurant, innovative Chinese restaurant, specialty restaurant and bar, and striking Living Room lounge.
Guests can also expect the W brand's iconic Whatever/Whenever® service philosophy, providing them with whatever they want, whenever they want it.
For more information, please visit www.whotels.com or www.facebook.com/whotels, or follow @WHotels on Twitter.
About Suzhou Industrial Park Jinji Lake Urban Development Co., Ltd
Suzhou Industrial Park Jinji Lake Urban Development Co., Ltd (SIPJUD, 苏州工业园区金鸡湖城市发展有限公司), established in September 2010 with a registered capital of RMB 2 billion, is a state-owned enterprise under the SIP government. With its core business in high-end urban mixed-use complex development and management, SIPJUD seeks to apply leading concept in urban integrated developments. Focused in the interaction among positioning, planning, development and management, the company is dedicated to make high-quality, multi-functional, green and low-carbon urban development -- offering a commercial and functional mix in full-spectrum. Currently SIPJUD is undertaking the development of Suzhou Centre, a large-scale high-end mixed-use complex in the heart of the Suzhou CBD. With a site area of 13.9 hectares and a planned total GFA of 1.82 million sqm, the development will be comprised of office, retail, hotel, residential and cultural and entertainment spaces. Upon completion, Suzhou Centre will be Suzhou's iconic landmark and flagship commercial centre.
About W Hotels Worldwide
W Hotels is a contemporary, design-led lifestyle brand and the industry innovator with 44 hotels and retreats, including 16 W-branded residences, in the most vibrant cities and exotic destinations around the world. Inspiring, iconic, innovative and influential, W Hotels provides the ultimate in insider access, offering a unique mix of cutting-edge design and passions around fashion, music and entertainment. W Hotels offers a holistic lifestyle experience that is integrated into the brand's sensibility through contemporary restaurant concepts, glamorous entertainment experiences, stylish retail concepts, signature spas and inspiring residences. With more than 14 years of proven success, W Hotels is on track to reach 60 hotels by the end of 2015. W Hotels have been announced for Milan, Shanghai, Beijing, Bogota, Abu Dhabi, Mumbai, Dubai, Jakarta, Panama, Muscat, Suzhou, Changsha, New Delhi, Kuala Lumpur, and Sante Fe, Mexico, while upcoming W Retreats include Verbier, Goa, and Mexico's Riviera Maya. For more information, visit www.whotels.com or www.facebook.com/whotels. To live the W Hotels lifestyle 24/7/365, visit www.wresidences.com. Follow @WHotels on Twitter and Instagram.
About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1,134 properties in nearly 100 countries and 171,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Meridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, and ElementSM. The Company boasts one of the industry's leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. Starwood also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., a premier provider of world-class vacation experiences through villa-style resorts and privileged access to Starwood brands. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com
