Who We Are: History
Comprised of a variety of engaging brands, Starwood is recognized as one of
the world’s largest hotel and leisure companies. Each brand’s unique
personality provides a distinct experience for both guests and associates. Our
brands include: Le Méridien®, ElementSM Hotels,
AloftSM Hotels, Sheraton® Hotels & Resorts, The
Luxury Collection®, St. Regis® Hotels & Resorts,
Westin® Hotels & Resorts, W Hotels® and Four
Points® by Sheraton.
Our History
1991
Starwood Capital Partners, a real estate acquisition company backed by high net
worth families, is formed in Chicago.
1993
Starwood Capital buys its first hotels, and by 1994 owns interests in more than
30 properties.
1995
Starwood Capital acquires the debt of a distressed NYSE listed company call
Hotel Investors Trust, “a paired share” REIT, and renames it Starwood Lodging.
Starwood stock rises 72.46% on the year!
1997
In September, Starwood Lodging announces an agreement to purchase Westin Hotels
& Resorts for $1.8 billion. The following month Starwood Lodging announces
an agreement to purchase ITT Sheraton Corporation for $14.3 billion, acting as
a white knight against a hostile bid from Hilton. Starwood is set to become a
global enterprise. Starwood stock ends the year up by 57.48%.
1998
In January, Starwood Lodging completes the acquisition of Westin Hotels &
Resorts. With the completion of the purchase, Starwood Lodging is renamed
Starwood Hotels & Resorts. In February, Starwood completes the acquisition
of ITT Sheraton Corporation. Starwood’s portfolio now includes more than 650
hotels and resorts in more than 70 countries worldwide.
The first W Hotel opens in December in New York City. The W brand is designed
to offer the personality and individuality of an independent, one-of-a-kind
hotel, while guaranteeing the reliability and superior level of amenities and
services business travelers require. W features casually elegant guest rooms
and a hip, urban style.
1999
Starwood acquires Vistana, Inc., a vacation ownership company, to establish an
immediate presence in the growing vacation ownership market. It later becomes
Starwood Vacation Ownership, one of the most profitable segments of the
company
Starwood launches Starwood Preferred Guest® to aggressively reward
and recognize frequent travelers. The program makes headlines with its policy
of no blackout dates and no capacity controls – both industry firsts!
Westin introduces the Heavenly Bed®, featuring a pillow-top
mattress, down comforter and luxurious, all white bed linens. It is an
immediate success.
The St. Regis brand grows from one hotel in New York City to six hotels all
named to Condé Nast Traveler’s “Gold” list for 1999!
Four Points by Sheraton opens its 100th hotel, the Four Points by
Sheraton Santa Monica in California.
2001
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is named the World’s Leading
Hotel Group at the Eight Annual World Travel Awards!
Starwood Preferred Guest is voted Program of the Year for the second
consecutive year during the 13th Annual Freddie Awards (since
renamed the Frequent Traveler Awards), one of the most prestigious honors in
the travel industry.
Westin introduces the Heavenly Bath® in North American hotels,
offering guests a temptation to leave the Heavenly Bed in the morning. Starwood
introduces the Westin Heavenly Crib® and the Sheraton and Four
Points by Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Crib in North America.
2003
Starwood announces that its Sheraton, Westin, and W hotels will welcome dogs in
the U.S. and Canada. As part of the Starwood LTD (Love That Dog) program,
four-legged guests will receive luxurious dog beds and amenities like plush
robes, doggie toys, and canine massages.
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts introduces the Sheraton Sweet
SleeperTM Bed, featuring an 11.5-inch thick high coil count Sealy
Posturepedic Plush Top mattress, down and allergy sensitive pillows, and crisp
cotton sheets. This is the latest in a series of enhancements designed to
elevate the brand to the top of the upscale hotel segment.
2005
For the sixth year in a row, Starwood Preferred Guest is voted Program of the
Year in both America and internationally during the 17th Annual
Freddie Awards. Starwood Preferred Guest continues its success as one of the
most well-respected programs in the industry.
2006
Starwood acquires Le Méridien, a brand created to share and extend the
international experience. 137 properties, primarily located in Europe and the
Middle East, become part of the Starwood family.
2007
Starwood announces its much-anticipated new brands in the select-service hotel
category: Aloft Hotels and Element Hotels. Conceived by the team that created W
Hotels, Aloft Hotels will raise the bar in the select-service category,
offering urban-inspired, loft-like guest rooms, enhanced technology services,
landscaped outdoor spaces for socializing day and night, and an energetic
lounge scene. Inspired by Westin Hotels & Resorts, Element Hotels intends
to promote balance through flowing, multi-purpose spaces with an emphasis on
environmentally-friendly design.
2008
The first Aloft and Element hotels open in Lexington, Massachusetts.
2009
Starwood invests $6 billion in enhancements as part of the Sheraton
Revitalization project. 60 new and 120 newly renovated Sheraton Hotels &
Resorts around the world benefit from the revitalization effort which includes
300 new lobbies, 70,000 new guest rooms, 100,000 new beds and the brand’s
unique wired lobby lounge, the Link@SheratonSM experienced with
Microsoft®.
2010
Starwood celebrates a significant milestone with the opening of its
1000th hotel! The Sheraton Qiandao Lake Resort opens on the shores
of China’s famed Qiandao Lake.
