CANNES, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)--From the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM), The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), today announces that the company and its owners are investing $200 million to renovate and restore some of its most celebrated hotels in Europe. The brand is already off to a strong start with the reopening of two iconic hotels in Spain this year: Hotel Alfonso XIII in Seville and Hotel Maria Cristina in San Sebastian. This will be followed by the debut of the restored Gritti Palace in Venice and Prince de Galles in Paris in 2013.
“The Luxury Collection has an intimate understanding of today’s luxury travellers who, more and more, aim to stay with a brand that offers a consistent level of impeccable service, while celebrating each hotel's heritage and unique character,” said Paul James, Global Brand Leader, The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, St. Regis and W Hotels Worldwide. “We are delighted to reintroduce these historic icons, carefully restored by some of the world’s most renowned architects, interior designers and craftsmen who have preserved the authentic elegance and distinct personality so beloved by its guests, while bringing the landmark hotels into the 21st century.”
The Luxury Collection is an ensemble of more than 80 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts around the world, spanning 30 countries, offering the brand’s signature concierge service, luxury amenities and indigenous cultural experiences. There are currently 40 Luxury Collection hotels in Europe, Africa and Middle East and the four restored hotels in Spain, France and Italy will reinforce the brand’s distinguished portfolio as portals for guests to discover new, exciting destinations throughout the region.
“As part of Starwood’s strategy to strengthen our Luxury Collection brand portfolio and as the world’s leader in luxury hospitality, we are making major investments to renovate and restore some of our most distinguished hotels,” comments Roeland Vos, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East. “The refurbishment of these legendary hotels allows us to continuously exceed guest experiences by offering unparalleled service and authentic experiences that reflect the local spirit of the destination.”
Hotel Alfonso XIII, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seville (reopened
March 2012)
Located on the historic Calle San Fernando in the
heart of Seville, Hotel Alfonso XIII is considered to be one of the
grandest hotels in Europe and was commissioned by King Alfonso XIII for
the 1929 Ibero-American Exhibition. The restoration spanned 10 months
and was led by renowned Sevillian architect Demopolis, with interiors
designed by The Gallery at HBA London. Recently recognised for “Best
Historic Renovation” at the annual Gold Key Design Award, Hotel Alfonso
XIII is a magnificent showcase of Moorish architecture and regional
Andalusian design infused with Arabic accents. The hotel features 151
luxuriously-appointed guest rooms and suites and distinct culinary
experiences, including Spanish cuisine at Bodega Alfonso and Andalusian
specialties at San Fernando, the poolside Taifas restaurant and bar, and
the Art Deco-inspired American Bar.
Hotel Maria Cristina, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Sebastian
(reopened July 2012)
The renovation of Hotel Maria Cristina was
completed in time for its 100th anniversary in July,
celebrating a century of elegance renewed. Situated in the storied city
centre of San Sebastian, Spain’s culinary capital, this Belle Epoque gem
was originally designed by famed French architect Charles Mewès and was
christened in 1912 by its namesake, Queen Maria Cristina. Carried out
over nine months, the refurbishment was led by Idom Engineering &
Architecture, with interiors restored by The Gallery at HBA London. The
hotel’s 107 lavish guest rooms and 29 suites are dressed in
sophisticated pastel tones and decorated with elegant gold furnishings,
evoking the élan and striking presence of all the leading ladies who
have graced the environs of the hotel. Following the restoration, the
hotel introduced haute Chinese cuisine at Tse Yang, complemented by
Basque and international selections at Easo Restaurant and excellent
cocktails at DRY bar.
The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Venice (reopening 31
January 2013)
Located along the city’s enchanting Grand Canal,
the historic Gritti Palace is slated to open on 31 January next year, in
time for the city’s celebrated annual carnival and the Venice
International Biennale of Contemporary Art, following a significant
15-month restoration. Working closely with the renowned Venetian fabric
house Rubelli and leading interior design firm Donghia, the restoration
will return the hotel to its former glory using rare archival fabrics
and stunning chandeliers and glassware from Murano. The hotel’s design
is inspired by the Gritti Palace’s origins – dating back to 1475 as a
private home for the noble Pisani family followed by the distinguished
Doge of Venice, Andrea Gritti – to provide a home away from home for
global travellers. In addition to the hotel’s famous terrace, The Gritti
Palace will feature 61 guest rooms and 21 sumptuous suites as well as
Club del Doge restaurant and the restored Bar Longhi. Soon to be
unveiled are the reintroduction of the iconic culinary school, The
Gritti Epicurean School, the new Acqua di Parma Blu Mediterraneo SPA and
the Explorer’s Library at The Gritti Palace.
Prince de Galles, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Paris (reopening Q2 2013)
Built
in 1928 along Avenue George V, Prince de Galles is one of the finest
addresses in the City of Lights. The celebrated Art Deco treasure is set
to offer the epitome of elegance and understated luxury when it reopens
in the second quarter of 2013 following an extensive two-year
renovation. With the acclaimed Pierre-Yves Rochon leading the design
direction, the iconic hotel will feature 159 exquisite guest rooms and
44 suites in authentic Art Deco style, reviving its original grandeur
and splendour. The hotel’s famous mosaic courtyard will be fully
restored and together with a new signature restaurant led by acclaimed
Chef Stéphanie Le Quellec, set the stage for an intimate Parisian social
scene.
Starwood Strengthens Luxury Position
In the last five years,
Starwood has doubled its global luxury room count to meet growing global
demand. With more than 150 luxury hotels operating under the St. Regis,
Luxury Collection and W brands, Starwood has the largest footprint of
luxury hotels in the industry.
In addition to its commitment to restore some of the Europe’s most emblematic hotels, The Luxury Collection is enhancing its extraordinary portfolio with historic and contemporary icons around the world. The brand continues its remarkable global growth and is on track to surpass 90 hotels by 2014, including nine new hotels and resorts that are slated to open in Asia Pacific in the next two years.
About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood
Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure
companies in the world with 1,128 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 The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts
The Luxury
Collection® is an ensemble of hotels and resorts offering unique,
authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories. For the
global explorer, The Luxury Collection offers a gateway to the world's
most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort is a
unique and cherished expression of its location; a portal to the
destination's indigenous charms and treasures. Magnificent decor,
spectacular settings, impeccable service and the latest modern
conveniences combine to provide a uniquely enriching experience.
Originated in 1906 under the CIGA brand as a collection of Europe's most
celebrated and iconic properties, today The Luxury Collection brand is a
glittering ensemble of more than 80 of the world's finest hotels and
resorts in more than 30 countries in bustling cities and spectacular
destinations around the world. The Luxury Collection includes
award-winning properties that continuously exceed guest expectations by
offering unparalleled service, style and class while celebrating each
hotel's distinctive heritage and unique character. All of these hotels,
many of them centuries old, are internationally recognized as being
among the world's finest. For more information, please visit www.luxurycollection.com