Starwood launches second 'W' location

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc has announced the expansion of W Hotels worldwide with a plan to launch its second hotel, the W Bangkok in 2011.

Starwood has entered into a management agreement with North Sathorn Hotel Company, a joint venture between Istithmar Hotels FZE and Golden Land Property Development Plc for the new hotel. The property would form a major part of Golden Land's Sathorn Square mixed-use development.

The 400-room W Bangkok would be located on the former Russian Embassy site on Sathon Road, that would also comprise Infinity Condominium and 70,000 square metres of grade A office space with luxury boutiques and shops.

"We are thrilled with the introduction of the W brand into Bangkok. Following the announcement of W Retreat & Residences, Koh Samui, the W Bangkok is a logical extension of W's dynamic growth in Thailand," said Miguel Ko, president of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific.
The 400-room W hotel will be part of a mixed-use development at the former Russian Embassy site.

Joe Sita, chief executive of Istithmar Hotels, said the prime site in the heart of Bangkok deserved a world-class brand to operate the hotel.

"The W Bangkok is our second W Hotels property in Thailand and I believe it will complement ideally our first project, the W Retreat & Residences in Koh Samui, which is also currently under development," he said.

Istithmar Hotels is expanding its operations across the world. "Southeast Asia is a strategically important region, with Bangkok being one of our key target markets. We continue to look for projects that offer us the right balance between risk and rewards," said Mr Sita.

W Hotels is a global brand with 21 properties in the around the world. W Hotel recently announced plans to open properties in Barcelona, Istanbul, Athens, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Koh Samui, Santiago, Dubai, Doha and Macau.

Istithmar PJSC is the investment company of Dubai World. It has an investment portfolio that includes more than 50 companies. Its real estate business aims to acquire and manage a diversified portfolio in commercial property, hotels and resorts, the leisure and retail sectors.

Source: BangkokPost.com