Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announced today that it plans to debut the Aloft brand in South Korea in late 2014, signing an agreement with development partner Youngshin HRD. Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of OKHOW Co., Ltd. The hotel, Aloft Suwon, will be the first Aloft hotel in South Korea, adding to the brand's global expansion plan and growth momentum in Asia Pacific that has been building up in recent years.
"We are pleased to partner with Youngshin Hrd., Ltd. to bring the Aloft brand to South Korea for the first time," said Stephen Ho, President, Asia Pacific, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. "While Starwood has maintained a long-standing presence in South Korea since the opening of the Westin Chosun Busan, this signing marks an important milestone in our overall growth strategy to expand the Aloft brand. Aloft Suwon will add to ten existing Aloft hotels in exciting cities throughout the Asia Pacific region."
A game-changer since its 2008 debut, Aloft Hotels and its vibrant "style at a steal" brand proposition is geared toward the next generation of travelers, pioneering initiatives in music, design, and technology; and providing modern comforts and a fun social guest experience at an affordable price point. The Aloft brand has consistently garnered high guest satisfaction scores since its launch, with select hotels ranking among TripAdvisor's 2012 "Top 25 Trendiest Hotels in the US and around the world." In addition to new developments, the Aloft brand's global growth plans include conversions and adaptive-reuse projects.
"Aloft Hotels has emerged as a popular choice for owners and developers as the hotel brand that fills the void in the mid-market hotel category," said Matthew Fry, Senior Vice President, Acquisitions & Development, Asia Pacific, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. "Because of the brand's vibrant design and a social guest experience offered at an attractive price point, Aloft properties have quickly grabbed market share wherever they have opened. The next generation of traveler has taken to the Aloft brand, and a broad range of travelers continue to discover what it has to offer."
Aloft Suwon is located in Yeongtong-dong in the heart of historical Suwon, the provincial capital of Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Suwon is a major industrial center, housing Samsung Electronics' digital city and a large factory complex; it is also home to 14 university campuses. Located about 60 kilometers from Incheon International Airport and 30 kilometers from Seoul, the hotel is well connected by various modes of transportation. It offers easy access to numerous sights, including the impressive UNESCO World Heritage site of Hwaseong Fortress, the Suwon business district, and local government offices.
"Suwon is known for its living history and dynamic culture, as well as its busy commercial and residential sectors. We are honored to attract Starwood, owner of premier hotel brands, to the area. It is very special that Aloft Suwon is launched for the first time in South Korea and outside of Seoul, adding spark and character to the Suwon cityscape," said Kyoung Sub Kwak, CEO of Youngshin Hrd, Ltd., subsidiary company of OKHOW. "We will endeavor to develop the most iconic building and create the most excitement in the hospitality industry, leaving guests amazed."
Slated to open in October 2014, Aloft Suwon is part of a mixed use development that also consists of retail and residential spaces. The hotel occupies the 4th to 11th floors, featuring 120 guest rooms, including 114 standard rooms and six suites, in a modern, fresh, and fun setting. It also boasts a 404 square meter meeting and function space, and two food and beverage facilities, including the buzzing signature lounge and bar, and an all-day dining restaurant. Other amenities include a 275 square meter recreational facility, with a well equipped gym, and it is situated adjacent to an 854 square meter spa that provides signature rejuvenating treatments.
For more information, please visit http://www.alofthotels.com.
About OKHOW
Younghsin HRD. Co., Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of OKHOW Co., Ltd ("OKHOW"). OKHOW has been trying to make innovations throughout businesses with the developments of hotels & resorts and their M&A, tourism-related consulting and building acquisitions. We are a creative company, which develops new domestic / international business projects, cooperating with other international hotel brand chains, and have cultural tourism industry as a company's ability to grow. OKHOW has launched the world's leading hotel brand with the introduction of the brand recognition and operation that is intended to improve the efficiency. We suggest success indices to projects of your business plan through a clear business plan analysis and a reasonable review and make effective solutions and alternatives. For more information, please visit http://www.okhow.co.kr.
About Aloft Hotels
With more than 60 hotels in 10 countries, Aloft has changed the hotel landscape by offering "style at a steal" everywhere from Baltimore to Beijing to Bogota to Brussels - and everywhere in between. For more information, please visit http://www.alofthotels.com.
Aloft, like all brands within Starwood's portfolio, is proud to offer the Starwood Preferred Guest(R) program, which offers a breakthrough policy of no blackout dates on Free Night Awards. To learn more, please visit http://www.spg.com.
About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1,112 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 http://www.starwoodhotels.com.
