Starwood Hotels' aLoft Hotels Announces 50 Development Projects

After launching the aloft brand in 2005, Starwood began accepting the first aloft development applications in January 2006. Since its launch, response to the aloft concept has been overwhelmingly positive. As a result of a deal signed with an affiliate of LaPour, Inc. last week for the aloft Las Vegas property, the brand has now finalized over 50 projects with more than 30 developers to build aloft hotels around the world. With over twenty groundbreakings expected in 2007 alone, aloft is well on its way to a goal of opening 500 properties by 2012.

"aloft will set a much higher standard for the style, design and technological offerings of moderately priced lodging throughout the hospitality industry, making it a compelling choice for owners and developers who already appreciate the tremendous power of Starwood's lifestyle brands," said Raymond "Rip" Gellein, President, Global Development Group. "This milestone for aloft is helping to fuel Starwood's most vigorous growth spurt ever, as the company penetrates previously untapped markets and aggressively expands its portfolio in markets across the globe."

"As a Vision of W Hotels, aloft represents the new twist in travel, providing the next generation of business and leisure travelers with a fun new way to play and stay," said Ross Klein, President, Starwood Luxury Brand Group and aloft hotels worldwide. "With its urban-influenced design, accessible technology and energetic social scene, aloft brings style and atmosphere to a segment of the industry that has been anything but fashionable."

To date, confirmed aloft locations include:

Australia                          Belgium

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-- Sydney O'Riordian Street        -- Brussels

 (Airport)

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Canada                             China

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-- Montreal Airport, Quebec        -- Beijing Haidian

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-- Toronto Downtown, Ontario

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United States

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-- Arundel Mills, Maryland         -- Jacksonville Airport, Florida

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-- Atlanta Airport, Georgia        -- Las Colinas, Texas

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-- Bay Harbor, Florida             -- Las Vegas, Nevada

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-- Baltimore/BWI Airport, Maryland -- Leawood, Kansas

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-- Charleston Airport, South       -- Lexington, Massachusetts

 Carolina

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-- Chandler, Arizona               -- Lincolnshire, Illinois

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-- Chantilly, Virginia             -- Minneapolis, Minnesota

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-- Charlotte, North Carolina       -- Mount Laurel, New Jersey

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-- Chesapeake, Virginia            -- Nashville/Cool Springs,

                                    Tennessee

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-- Cherry Creek, Colorado          -- Orlando/Convention Center,

                                    Florida

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-- Chicago/Millennium Park,        -- Philadelphia Airport,

 Illinois                           Pennsylvania

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-- Chicago O'Hare Airport,         -- Phoenix Airport, Arizona

 Illinois

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-- Dallas Downtown, Texas          -- Plano, Texas

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-- Dallas International Airport,   -- Portland Airport, Oregon

 Texas

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-- Denver/Arista NW, Colorado      -- Rancho Cucamonga, California

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-- Dulles Parkway, Virginia        -- Richmond, Virginia

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-- El Segundo, California          -- Rogers, Arkansas

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-- Frisco, Texas                   -- San Antonio North, Texas

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-- Glendale, Arizona

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-- Grapevine, Texas                -- Savannah, Georgia

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-- Greenville Airport, South       -- Tallahassee, Florida

 Carolina

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-- Harrisburg Downtown,            -- Tempe, Arizona

 Pennsylvania

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-- Houston, Texas                  -- Tulsa, Oklahoma

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                                   -- Winchester, Virginia

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Infused with the DNA of W, aloft will offer a total sensory experience, with guest lofts featuring nine-foot ceilings and oversized windows to create a bright, airy environment. The centerpiece of the room will be the ultra-comfortable signature bed, and large stylish bathrooms will complement the guest experience with oversized walk-in showers and amenities created by bliss(R) spa. Each guest loft will also be a combination high-tech office and entertainment center, featuring wireless internet access and plug & play, a one-stop connectivity solution for multiple electronic gadgetry such as PDAs, cell phones, mp3 players and laptops - all linked to a large flat panel HDTV ready television for optimal sound and viewing.

Designed in conjunction with world renowned David Rockwell and the Rockwell Group, aloft will stay true to the W Hotel brand's heritage, offering atmospheric public spaces designed to draw guests from their rooms to socialize and make friends. Guests will be able to read the paper, work on their laptops via hotel-wide wireless internet access, play a game of pool or grab a drink with friends at the re:mix communal lobby area and bar w xyz. The re:charge fitness center and splash, the indoor or outdoor pool, will give travelers options to de-stress and re-energize. Meanwhile, re:fuel by aloft, a one-stop food and beverage area will offer sweet, savory and healthy food, snacks and beverages to grab & go, 24-hours a day.

The first aloft hotels are targeted to open in 2008.

Logos, product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

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