hospitalitystyle.com

(August 2010) posted on Tue Aug 03, 2010 EDT

Aloft locales debut in India; W to open in Taipei

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Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. has opened its first two Aloft hotels in India and that the W Taipei will debut in Taiwan later this year. In India, the hotelier has opened Aloft units in Chennai and Bangalore in partnership with Urbanedge Hotels, a unit of Auromatrix Hotels Private Ltd. that plans to open several more representatives of that brand in the country over the next several years.

Starwood says India is a key market for the Aloft brand – which it says offers “style at a steal” – because the country is home to a young, tech-driven society. In addition, “India is a key focus of Starwood's expansion efforts in large part because it is a market that today is relatively under-hoteled. India is one of the most promising markets within Asia Pacific, with GDP estimates topping seven percent for the next two years and a consumer market expected to rank as the world's fifth biggest by 2025,” said Vasant Prabhu, Starwood's vice chairman and cfo. “The market is especially ripe for mid-market products like Aloft and we look forward to opening several more Aloft hotels in India over the next few years.”

Meantime, in Taipei, Starwood will open a 30-story W in Xinyi, the city's central business district. Eva Ziegler, global brand leader, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien, said the new W will target “discerning and style-conscious trendsetters who want to be wowed by the finer things in life – particularly those inspired by W brand's unique mix of contemporary cool design, modern comfort, and innovative style.”

The 405-key hotel's guest rooms are being designed by London-based G.A. Design International Ltd. The property will also include several destination restaurants and bars, a Sweat Fitness center, and an aWay Spa.