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Frankfurt, Germany – September 18, 2012 – Starwood Hotels &
Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) has signed an agreement with Bari Gruppe
GmbH & Co. KG to open a new-build Element hotel at Gateway Gardens,
Frankfurt`s new city district near the airport. Scheduled to open in 2014,
Element Frankfurt Airport marks the much-anticipated European debut of
the trailblazing eco-wise brand. The hotel will be located in a newly developed
business district at the doorstep of Europe’s third busiest air travel hub,
near the global headquarters of companies such as Lufthansa, Condor and DB
Schenker.
Launched in 2008, Element has made history as the only major hotel brand to
mandate that all properties pursue LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design) for high-performance buildings. More than just a “green” hotel brand,
however, Element is designed to provide the balance that business and leisure
travelers need to thrive on the road.
“We are proud to partner with Bari Gruppeas we debut the first Element hotel in
Europe,” said Roeland Vos, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe,
Africa & Middle East. “We see great opportunities to grow the Element brand
in markets such as Germany, where there is a strong demand for affordable and
innovative hotel brands. The signing of Element Frankfurt Airport underlines
Starwood’s continued commitment to expanding our portfolio globally and
particularly in Europe.”
Marco Bari, Bari Gruppe GmbH & Co. KG added, “This is the beginning of what
we anticipate will be a long-term relationship with Starwood as we introduce
Element Hotels to Europe and establish it as the continent’s most eco- and
guest-friendly extended-stay brand.”
In keeping with the tenets of the Element brand, Element Frankfurt Airport’s
133 light-filled studios and one-bedroom suites will be stylish, sustainable
and designed for comfort. Each will feature a fluid design of modular
furniture, swiveling flat-screen televisions, large desks with open shelving
and custom-designed closets. Bathrooms will be spa-inspired, with an
invigorating rain shower and dual-flush toilet. Rooms will also feature
fully equipped kitchens and the signature Heavenly® Bed.
Other brand signatures will include a state-of-the-art, 24-hour fitness center
– and a meeting room with modular furnishings, a flexible layout and
state-of-the-art technology that can be customized to meet any business or
social needs. In addition, Element Frankfurt Airport will offer a signature
restaurant and espresso bar.
“In the years to come, we plan to expand Element throughout Europe with
development partners, like Bari Gruppe, who are as committed as Starwood to
innovation and sustainability in the hotel industry,” said Bart Carnahan,
Senior Vice President Acquisitions & Development, Starwood Hotels &
Resorts, Europe, Africa & Middle East.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts currently operates 25 hotels and resorts
throughout Germany under five of its nine distinct and compelling brands.
Element Frankfurt Airport will be Starwood’s fifth hotel in Frankfurt, joining
Le Méridien Parkhotel Frankfurt, The Westin Grand Frankfurt, Sheraton Frankfurt
Congress Hotel and the Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Hotel & Conference
Center.
About Element Hotels
Accessible, affordable and active, Element Hotels is made to order for guests
in the know and on the go. Its bright, contemporary design defies convention,
bathing guest rooms and public spaces in natural light. Stylish and sustainable
throughout, Element offers comfort with a conscience and lots of signature
amenities from complimentary healthy breakfast, RELAX evening reception and
spacious fitness centers.
To date, there are Element hotels in 10 U.S. markets, with new domestic and
international hotels in development. Visit www.ElementHotels.com or connect on Facebook.com/ElementHotels.
About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and
leisure companies in the world with 1,112 properties in nearly 100 countries
and 154,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood is a fully
integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences
with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The
Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le
Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by
Sheraton, Aloft®, and ElementSM. The Company boasts one
of the industry’s leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG),
allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and
flights, with no blackout dates. Starwood also owns Starwood Vacation
Ownership, Inc., a premier provider of world-class vacation experiences through
villa-style resorts and privileged access to Starwood brands. For more
information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.
About Bari Gruppe
Bari Gruppe GmbH & Co. KG is a Munich based company specialized in
development, leasing and operating mid and upscale branded hotels in Germany
and other European countries. As of August 2012, other subsidiaries and
operating companies in the group are D Hotel Konzept GmbH and D Food Konzept
GmbH. For more information, please write to info@barigruppe.de.
(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.)
