Starwood eyes 1st Phl hotel in 2016

MANILA, Philippines - Starwood Hotel & Resorts Worldwide, one of the world’s biggest operators of high-end business and leisure accomodations, is looking to open its first hotel in the Philippines on July 1, 2016, marking the Westin brand’s re-entry into the Philippine market.

Westin is Starwood’s second largest brand in Asia Pacific region with more than 40 hotels in operation and 20 hotels in the pipeline.

Starwood will build the 600-room Westin Manila Bayshore as part of Travellers International Hotel Group’s multi-billion-dollar integrated entertainment complex in Manila – Resorts World Bayshore.

Travellers International is a joint venture between property tycoon Andrew Tan’s Alliance Global Group Inc. (AGI) and Malaysian conglomerate Genting Group.

Westin Manila Bayshore’s facilities include the signature SuperFoodsRX menu, five food and beverage venues, WestinWorkout fitness facilities and swimming pool, Heavenly Spa and 2,300 square meters of convention spa.

Starwood Hotels Southeast Asia regional vice president Chuck Abbott said the group is excited to enter the booming market in the Philippines, and believes there is sufficient demand for the Westin brand’s signature programs and amenities.

Aside from Westin Hotel Bayshore, Starwood will also develop the 350-room Sheraton Manila Hotel within Resorts World Manila, located in Newport City, Pasay.

Sheraton Manila Hotel, to be developed in the third phase of the integrated resort, will include three dining venues; 420 sqm of meeting space; the Sheraton Club and Club Lounge; and a full service Shine Spa for Sheraton.  It is targeted for opening on Jan. 1, 2017.

Starwood also operates internationally renowned brands St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton,Le Meridien, AloftSM and ElementSM.  It  likewise owns Starwood Vacation Ownership Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts.

Starwood, which currently operates 230 hotels in Asia Pacific, plans to hit 400 in the region by 2016.

It has 1,000 properties in 100 countries and approximately 145,000 employees.

The two hotels will support AGI’s bid to become the largest hotel operator in the country.  AGI aims to build more than 5,000 hotel rooms in the next five to seven years to take advantage of the country’s flourishing economy.

The government itself seeks to increase tourist arrivals from 3.5 million last year to 6.5 million in 2016.