Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has announced plans to expand its portfolio throughout Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Over the next three years, Starwood will more than double its portfolio in the region with seven new hotels, including the debut of the Aloft brand in Russia with the new Aloft St. Petersburg, a deal that was announced just last week.
Last year, Starwood opened three new hotels in Russia and CIS, marking a number of key milestones, including the debut of the W brand in Russia with the opening of W St. Petersburg and the entrance of Starwood into Ukraine and Azerbaijan.
"Moscow has more billionaires than any other city in the world and yet Russia is seriously under-hoteled, with only 28 high-end hotels," said Simon Turner, President of Global Development & Acquisition, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. "Russia and CIS offer tremendous growth opportunities, especially within markets that do not have major internationally-branded hotels. We plan to expand our brands throughout the region in the years to come with development partners who have a proven track record of success and are looking for a new and exciting growth vehicle."
With more than 70 percent of the world's economic growth coming from fast-growing markets over the next few years, Starwood is focused on expansion in developing markets such as Russia as well as key emerging markets including Ukraine and Tajikistan.
As part of this strategy, Starwood is investing in development, sales and expanding its Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) program in Russia, and will open seven new hotels across Russia and CIS in the next three years. Key highlights include:
The debut of Starwood in Kiev with the opening of Sheraton Kiev Olympiysky, Ukraine in 2013. The hotel will be located in central Kiev at Troitskaya Square, just steps away from Khreschatik Street and other city landmarks.
The entry of Starwood into Tajikistan in 2013 with the opening of a new Sheraton hotel in the country's capital city of Dushanbe.
Starwood's second Sheraton hotel in Moscow with the opening of Sheraton Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport in 2013. This new 10-story hotel will be part of the Skypoint Business Park, less than a kilometer from the international terminal of Sheremetyevo Airport.
The debut of Starwood in three emerging Russian markets with the openings of a Four Points by Sheraton hotel in Kaluga and a Sheraton hotel in Rostov-on-Don in 2014, followed by the opening of Sheraton Perm in 2015.
Russia's first Aloft hotel with the new Aloft St. Petersburg. Scheduled to open in 2015, Aloft St. Petersburg will be part of an emerging business district within close proximity to galleries, restaurants and green spaces, and will offer an entirely new approach to Russia's mid-market category.
Located in the northern part of the city overlooking the Neva River, Aloft St. Petersburg will have large public spaces where guests can relax or grab a drink with friends at the re:mix lounge and w xyz bar. All 200 loft-like guest rooms will have the brand's signature high ceilings, oversized windows and a platform bed as well as large walk-in showers with Bliss Spa products.
Starwood currently operates three hotels in Russia, including Hotel National, a Luxury Collection Hotel and the Sheraton Palace Hotel in Moscow, as well as the recently opened W Hotel in St. Petersburg. Aloft St. Petersburg will be Starwood's second hotel in the city.
