This book takes architects and designers on a worldwide journey to discover the most stylish and appealing spots, from an urban getaway in Europe to a resort on a South Pacific island, providing a serene ...
Chains disclose plans at investment forum in Berlin
Two U.S.-based hotel giants – Marriott International and Starwood Hotels & Resorts --have detailed their growth plans for Europe at this week’s International Hotel Investment Forum in Berlin. After spending the last 35 years building its European portfolio to 174 hotels, Marriott said it plans to double its portfolio there from the current 40,000 rooms to 80,000 rooms by 2015. Seven of the company’s 18 brands are represented currently in Europe: Ritz-Carlton, Bvlgari, JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance Hotels, Courtyard by Marriott and Marriott Executive Apartments. In addition, the first European Residence Inn, an extended-stay brand, will open in Munich in 2012.
The development pipeline in Europe includes nearly 30 projects including the Renaissance Moscow Monarch Center Hotel (2010), the Courtyard by Marriott Budapest (2010) and the JW Marriott Hotel Ankara (2010).
“We see strong opportunity throughout Europe to grow our portfolio,” said Arne Sorenson, president and chief operating officer of Marriott International. “Our new operating structure, comprised of four continental divisions including Europe, will help facilitate global growth and bring our teams closer to markets and to our customers. We have tremendous opportunities to grow, with over a third of our current pipeline and about half of our full-service openings this year located in markets outside North America.”
Starwood, meantime, said its Europe, Africa and Middle East (EAME) division plans to open 50 new hotels by 2012. And with the recent opening of the Sheraton Bratislava Hotel – along with 13 additional hotels slated to open this year – the company says the division is firmly on track to reach this goal.
“With more than 240 hotels in 55 countries in EAME, we currently have a large enough footprint to enjoy the benefits of being an established and leading hotel operator in the most highly sought-after markets,” said Simon Turner, president of global development. “That being said, there are still numerous markets in this vast division where we have an opportunity to launch our nine distinct and compelling brands – as evidenced by the debut of the Sheraton brand in the Slovak Republic.”
- Posted March 10, 2010