Starwood’s aloft branded hotels has signed deals with four development companies to open seven aloft hotels in the state of Texas. Developers involved with the aloft projects include the following: HAC Partners, Summit Hotel Properties, Santa Fe IV Hotel and 5434 Westheimer.

The seven Texas sites identified for construction of the new aloft hotels are Las Colinas, Plano, Frisco, San Antonio, Grapevine, Houston and Dallas. Groundbreakings for all seven properties are scheduled for 2007 and 2008, with the first already occurring on March 20, 2007 at the Las Colinas property.

aloft Texas Properties:

—aloft Dallas Downtown - 1033 Young Street, Dallas (Developer: Santa Fe IV Hotel, LP)

—aloft Frisco - Intersection of Parkwood and Gaylord Parkway, Frisco (Developer: HAC Frisco Partners, LP)

—aloft Grapevine - Intersection of Texan Trail and Northwest, Grapevine (Developer: Summit Hotel Properties, LLC)

—aloft Houston - 5433 Westheimer Road, Houston (Developer: 5434 Westheimer, LP)

—aloft Las Colinas - 122 East John Carpenter Freeway, Las Colinas (Developer: HAC Partners, LP)

—aloft Plano - SW corner of Tennyson & Dallas N. Tollway, Plano (Developer: HAC Plano Partners, LP)

—aloft San Antonio North - Hwy. 281/NTX 1604 Loop E. and Sonterra Blvd., San Antonio (Developer: Summit Hotel Properties, LLC)

The 136-room aloft Las Colinas is the first aloft property being built in Texas and will be a mere 20 minutes from Dallas/Fort Worth, offering visitors the local entertainment options of Las Colinas and additional attractions in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

“Everything is bigger and better in Texas. With aloft, we are bringing bigger and better style, atmosphere and a distinctive destination sensation to a segment of the industry that has been anything but fashionable,” said Ross Klein, Starwood Luxury Brand Group and aloft Hotels. “We are excited to introduce a fun way to play and stay to the Lone Star State.”

As a Vision of W Hotels, aloft is shaking up the lodging industry with urban-influenced design, accessible technology, style and a social atmosphere. aloft offers a total sensory experience, with guest lofts featuring loft-like nine-foot ceilings and oversized windows to create a bright, airy environment. The centerpiece of the loft room is the ultra-comfortable signature bed, and large stylish bathrooms complement the guest experience with oversized walk-in showers and amenities created by Bliss(R) spa. Each guest loft is also a combination high-tech office and entertainment center, featuring wireless internet access and plug & play, a one-stop connectivity solution for multiple electronic gadgetry such as PDAs, cell phones, mp3 players and laptops - all linked to a large flat panel HDTV ready television for optimal sound and viewing.

Designed in conjunction with world renowned David Rockwell and the Rockwell group, aloft stays true to the W brand’s heritage, offering atmospheric public spaces designed to draw guests from their rooms to socialize and make friends. Guests can read the paper, work on their laptops via hotel-wide wireless internet access, play a game of pool or grab a drink with friends at the re:mix communal lobby area and bar w xyz. The re:charge fitness center and splash, the indoor or outdoor pool, give travelers options to de-stress and re-energize; while re:fuel by aloft, a one-stop food and beverage area, offers sweet, savory and healthy food, snacks and beverages to grab & go, 24-hours a day.

The first aloft hotels are targeted to open in first quarter, 2008, with locations expected to be anytown/anywhere… For more information on aloft, please visit www.alofthotels.com .
——-