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Attention Business Editors:
Canada Says Aloha to aloft
Starwood Hotels' New Select-Service Hotel Brand, Created by the W Hotels
Team, To Open Properties in Toronto and Dorval
TORONTO, May 16 /CNW/ - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
(NYSE:HOT) announced today at the Canadian Hotel Investment Conference, plans
for two aloft hotels in Canada. These aloft properties, part of Starwood's new
select service hotel brand, will be located in downtown Toronto and in Dorval
at the Montreal Airport, and will be franchised under long-term license
agreements with Starwood.
In the same way W Hotels broke through the clutter of conformity in the
upscale hotel arena, aloft - A Vision of W Hotels will raise the bar in the
tired select-service category, delivering urban-inspired, loft-like guest
rooms, enhanced technology services, landscaped outdoor spaces for socializing
day and night and an energetic lounge scene to nearly 500 markets worldwide by
2012.
"aloft has set out to eliminate the trials of travel by incorporating
style, convenience and a social environment - similar to the atmosphere in W's
Living Rooms - to an otherwise tired, lonely experience," said Brian
McGuinness, VP, aloft brand development. "We're excited about moving into
Canada - clearly aloft has made a strong connection with the development
community in North America and around the world."
aloft guest rooms will feature 9-foot ceilings, oversized windows to
maximize natural light and create a residential feel, ultra-comfortable beds,
well-designed workspaces, and wireless access throughout the property. The
hotels will also feature re:fuel, a gourmet grab & go food and beverage
concept featuring signature sweet, savoury and healthy foods, 24 hours a day,
as well as a destination bar for unwinding, aptly named w xyz.
The aloft Toronto will command a superb address in the dynamic Niagara
St. and Portland St. enclave. The hotel will feature 250 guest rooms in a
brand new construction high-rise concept. The site, adjacent to picturesque
Victoria Memorial Square Park, backs onto Front St. West, with the arrival
court and main entrance on Niagara St. The area is fast becoming known for
lifestyle offerings, including some of the city's best restaurants and hippest
residential projects. The developer, owner/operator is Manga Hotels
International, which is owned by Dave Toor. Construction is slated to begin
mid-2007, with a projected opening in late 2008.
The aloft Dorval will offer travellers at Pierre Elliot Trudeau
International Airport a refreshing new place to stay. The new hotel, featuring
136 loft-like guest rooms, will be located right at the entrance to the
bustling airport. The developer and owner/operator is the Silver Hotel Group,
owned by Deepak Ruparell. Construction is slated to start in late 2006, with a
projected opening some 12 - 18 months later.
"We are thrilled to be bringing the aloft concept to life in this
vibrant, hip area of Toronto," said Dave Toor, President & CEO, Manga Hotels
International. "aloft hotels brings a unique sense of style and service to our
guests that will bring something fresh and exciting to the market. It is great
to be working with the team at Starwood as they continue to raise the bar."
"It is very exciting for us to have the opportunity to be on board as
this new brand takes off in Canada," said Deepak Ruparell, President, Silver
Hotel Group. "We believe that aloft hotels will offer travellers a new twist
on their hotel stay, offering a stylish, refreshing alternative to what's
currently out there."
Each aloft hotel will incorporate W's heritage: a totally sensory
experience, design integrity and attention to materials as much as to details.
Design visionary David Rockwell and the Rockwell Group, whose award-winning
projects include the Kodak Theater, Nobu and the W Union Square, collaborated
on aloft's design.
About Manga Hotels International:
Manga Hotels is a wholly owned Canadian hospitality and development
company lead by Dave Toor, President and CEO. The company is focused on growth
in new build quality hotels franchised with major brands by Marriott, Hilton,
Intercontinental Hotel Group.
About Silver Hotel Group:
Silver Hotel Group (SHG) is one of the largest privately owned hotel
investment, development, and management companies in Canada. The group has
been an active participant in the hospitality industry in Canada and the U.S.
for over 30 years. SHG's has focused and excelled in all areas involving hotel
investments including single assets, portfolio acquisitions, note sales and
development. SHG's extensive market knowledge, in-depth management expertise,
and diverse brand relations combined with its core management practices and
strategic approaches optimize hotel performance and values. SHG's current
portfolio includes 16 hotels located in Canada and the U.S., and ranges from
internationally branded full and select service hotels to independent boutique
hotels.
About aloft:
Carrying the DNA of W Hotels, aloft hotels, Starwood's much-anticipated
new brand in the select-service hotel category, delivers stylish design,
accessible technology and a hip urban attitude to another outdated hotel
segment. Starwood anticipates the first aloft hotels to open in early 2007,
with 500 properties worldwide expected by 2012. Visit aloft hotels online at
www.alofthotels.com.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and
leisure companies in the world with approximately 850 properties in more than
95 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties.
Starwood(R) 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 Méridien and the recently announced AloftSM. 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 www.starwoodhotels.com.
(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.)
For further information: Press contacts: aloft hotels: Jack Yeaton,
(212) 242-9353; Starwood Hotels & Resorts: Ellen Gallo, (914) 640-8167;
Starwood Canada: Cynthia Bond, Dan Young, (416) 947-4827, (416) 947-4955
ext. 4458
Canada Says Aloha to aloft
Starwood Hotels' New Select-Service Hotel Brand, Created by the W Hotels
Team, To Open Properties in Toronto and Dorval
TORONTO, May 16 /CNW/ - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
(NYSE:HOT) announced today at the Canadian Hotel Investment Conference, plans
for two aloft hotels in Canada. These aloft properties, part of Starwood's new
select service hotel brand, will be located in downtown Toronto and in Dorval
at the Montreal Airport, and will be franchised under long-term license
agreements with Starwood.
In the same way W Hotels broke through the clutter of conformity in the
upscale hotel arena, aloft - A Vision of W Hotels will raise the bar in the
tired select-service category, delivering urban-inspired, loft-like guest
rooms, enhanced technology services, landscaped outdoor spaces for socializing
day and night and an energetic lounge scene to nearly 500 markets worldwide by
2012.
"aloft has set out to eliminate the trials of travel by incorporating
style, convenience and a social environment - similar to the atmosphere in W's
Living Rooms - to an otherwise tired, lonely experience," said Brian
McGuinness, VP, aloft brand development. "We're excited about moving into
Canada - clearly aloft has made a strong connection with the development
community in North America and around the world."
aloft guest rooms will feature 9-foot ceilings, oversized windows to
maximize natural light and create a residential feel, ultra-comfortable beds,
well-designed workspaces, and wireless access throughout the property. The
hotels will also feature re:fuel, a gourmet grab & go food and beverage
concept featuring signature sweet, savoury and healthy foods, 24 hours a day,
as well as a destination bar for unwinding, aptly named w xyz.
The aloft Toronto will command a superb address in the dynamic Niagara
St. and Portland St. enclave. The hotel will feature 250 guest rooms in a
brand new construction high-rise concept. The site, adjacent to picturesque
Victoria Memorial Square Park, backs onto Front St. West, with the arrival
court and main entrance on Niagara St. The area is fast becoming known for
lifestyle offerings, including some of the city's best restaurants and hippest
residential projects. The developer, owner/operator is Manga Hotels
International, which is owned by Dave Toor. Construction is slated to begin
mid-2007, with a projected opening in late 2008.
The aloft Dorval will offer travellers at Pierre Elliot Trudeau
International Airport a refreshing new place to stay. The new hotel, featuring
136 loft-like guest rooms, will be located right at the entrance to the
bustling airport. The developer and owner/operator is the Silver Hotel Group,
owned by Deepak Ruparell. Construction is slated to start in late 2006, with a
projected opening some 12 - 18 months later.
"We are thrilled to be bringing the aloft concept to life in this
vibrant, hip area of Toronto," said Dave Toor, President & CEO, Manga Hotels
International. "aloft hotels brings a unique sense of style and service to our
guests that will bring something fresh and exciting to the market. It is great
to be working with the team at Starwood as they continue to raise the bar."
"It is very exciting for us to have the opportunity to be on board as
this new brand takes off in Canada," said Deepak Ruparell, President, Silver
Hotel Group. "We believe that aloft hotels will offer travellers a new twist
on their hotel stay, offering a stylish, refreshing alternative to what's
currently out there."
Each aloft hotel will incorporate W's heritage: a totally sensory
experience, design integrity and attention to materials as much as to details.
Design visionary David Rockwell and the Rockwell Group, whose award-winning
projects include the Kodak Theater, Nobu and the W Union Square, collaborated
on aloft's design.
About Manga Hotels International:
Manga Hotels is a wholly owned Canadian hospitality and development
company lead by Dave Toor, President and CEO. The company is focused on growth
in new build quality hotels franchised with major brands by Marriott, Hilton,
Intercontinental Hotel Group.
About Silver Hotel Group:
Silver Hotel Group (SHG) is one of the largest privately owned hotel
investment, development, and management companies in Canada. The group has
been an active participant in the hospitality industry in Canada and the U.S.
for over 30 years. SHG's has focused and excelled in all areas involving hotel
investments including single assets, portfolio acquisitions, note sales and
development. SHG's extensive market knowledge, in-depth management expertise,
and diverse brand relations combined with its core management practices and
strategic approaches optimize hotel performance and values. SHG's current
portfolio includes 16 hotels located in Canada and the U.S., and ranges from
internationally branded full and select service hotels to independent boutique
hotels.
About aloft:
Carrying the DNA of W Hotels, aloft hotels, Starwood's much-anticipated
new brand in the select-service hotel category, delivers stylish design,
accessible technology and a hip urban attitude to another outdated hotel
segment. Starwood anticipates the first aloft hotels to open in early 2007,
with 500 properties worldwide expected by 2012. Visit aloft hotels online at
www.alofthotels.com.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and
leisure companies in the world with approximately 850 properties in more than
95 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties.
Starwood(R) 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 Méridien and the recently announced AloftSM. 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 www.starwoodhotels.com.
(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.)
For further information: Press contacts: aloft hotels: Jack Yeaton,
(212) 242-9353; Starwood Hotels & Resorts: Ellen Gallo, (914) 640-8167;
Starwood Canada: Cynthia Bond, Dan Young, (416) 947-4827, (416) 947-4955
ext. 4458
