Brian McGuinness is the Senior Vice President of Starwood’s Specialty Select brands, including the Aloft, Element and Four Points by Sheraton brands.  McGuinness is responsible for development, strategic and creative direction, and overall performance of each of Starwood’s select-serve lifestyle brands.

McGuinness leads an integrated team, charged with ensuring the successful global launch of Starwood’s first new brand introduction, Aloft Hotels, since the 1999 premiere of W Hotels; establishing Starwood’s new green trailblazer, Element Hotels, as the extended-stay category leader and Starwood’s green innovation lab; and re-launching the newly reinvented Four Points by Sheraton brand.

McGuinness began his career with Starwood in 1997.  His tenure began at the Sheraton Boston Hotel and Towers as Towers Manager advancing to Reservations and Revenue Management Director.  Successfully advancing through his hotel career, he was eventually tapped by Starwood corporate to roll-out a new property management technology platform and joined the creative team to launch the highly successful Starwood Preferred Guest Program.  Continuing in marketing, he created the Global Marketing Operations group where he oversaw the execution of marketing programs globally.

In 2002, furthering his entrepreneurial desires, McGuinness left Starwood to personally oversee the restoration of a charming bed and breakfast located on Cape Cod.  After the successful completion of the restoration, McGuinness returned to Starwood’s Manhattan-based offices to take on the challenge of leading one of the most exciting brand introductions in the hotel industry’s history - Aloft Hotels.  He relocated to Starwood’s corporate headquarters in White Plains, NY in 2007 to lead the launch of both Aloft and Element hotels worldwide, and has recently taken the reigns on the Four Points by Sheraton brand.

McGuinness grew up in New England, the youngest of seven children.  His passion for the hospitality business started at a young age during annual international trips with his family to everywhere from Canada to Europe.