Starwood has celebrated a key milestone with the opening of the 25th Aloft hotel worldwide - Aloft Arundel Mills in Hanover, Maryland. With the global growth of the Aloft brand, Starwood continues to progress on its journey to open its 1,000th hotel in 2009.  The Aloft brand debuted in Montreal in June 2008 and opened its first 17 hotels by year end. In 2009, Aloft will grow to more than 40 hotels, opening one new property every two weeks in markets like Phoenix, Denver, Austin, and Washington, D.C. Aloft currently operates hotels in three countries - Canada, China and the United States - and is poised to debut in the Middle East this fall with the Aloft Abu Dhabi. The steady and strategic expansion of Aloft has played a key role in driving Starwood’s growth. In 2009, Starwood expects to add 80-100 new hotels across its nine distinctive and compelling brands, while broadening its portfolio to include 100 countries.

“By focusing on opening the right properties in the right places with the right partners, we expect Aloft to continue to systematically grow in key domestic and international markets, even in the face of a weakened economy,” said Simon Turner, President of Global Development for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. “Aloft has attracted growing numbers of owners and developers, many of whom are developing multiple Aloft hotels, who appreciate the brand’s innovation and design, as well as the power of the Starwood network and its leading demand-driving programs like Starwood Preferred Guest.”

With its loft-inspired rooms, atmospheric public spaces and electric social scene, Aloft hotels are already earning guest satisfaction scores that rival those of Starwood’s luxury hotel brands.

“The Aloft brand has successfully revolutionized the select service hotel category by meeting the needs of today’s travelers,” said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President, Specialty Select Brands, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. “With its emphasis on bringing boutique-style hotels to the traveling masses by offering a four star experience at a three star price, Aloft is rapidly gaining worldwide recognition as one of the industry’s most compelling lifestyle brands.”
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