THE LUXURY COLLECTION® HOTELS & RESORTS TO MAKE LANDMARK DEBUT IN CHICAGO
The Conversion of the Hotel Now Known as Conrad Chicago is Another Milestone for The Luxury Collection® Brand, on Track to Surpass 100 Hotels by the End of the Year
NEW YORK, NY – May 8, 2015 – Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced it will introduce The Luxury Collection brand to Chicago, following the conversion of the hotel now known as Conrad Chicago. Owned by DiamondRock Hospitality, the hotel will offer unparalleled luxury and personalized service in a prime downtown Chicago location with direct access to the upscale boutiques along the Magnificent Mile shopping district. To be maintained with a new as of yet, undisclosed name under The Luxury Collection brand flag this Fall, following a conversion and renovation, the hotel marks another milestone for the brand, which continues to debut marquee conversion hotels and invest in landmark renovations around the world.
Adam Aron, CEO of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. contributed “Starwood is keenly focused on accelerating the pace of our growth. Conversion opportunities, where we can bring existing hotel properties into the Starwood system, are a particularly compelling part of our strategy to expand the potential of our world-class brands.”
“We are delighted to debut The Luxury Collection in Chicago in this ideal location downtown location, as we continue to seek out opportunities to grow the brand in premium markets around the world,” said Hoyt H. Harper II, Global Brand Leader, The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts. “This hotel will deliver impeccable service and modern sophistication to the new generation of luxury travelers near the Windy City’s best shopping, dining and attractions.”
Located at 521 North Rush Street, the hotel boasts a second entrance on the Magnificent Mile shopping district on Michigan Avenue and offer direct access to The Shops at North Bridge. The hotel is within close proximity of the Chicago Loop, Navy Pier, Millennium Park and variety of world-class restaurants, night clubs and bars. Guests are also within easy reach of the city’s top-rated attractions including Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Art Institute of Chicago and Wrigley Field – home of the legendary Chicago Cubs baseball team.
“The Luxury Collection continues to gain momentum in North America through strategic conversions and landmark renovations in top-tier cities like this one,” said Allison Reid, Senior Vice President, North America Development for Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “Owners and developers are increasingly seeking out The Luxury Collection brand to reposition existing assets and quickly benefit from Starwood’s powerful systems and loyalty program.”
With a fast-growing 95 hotels and resorts throughout the world, including 16 in North America, The Luxury Collection brand continues to convert hotels including the recent addition of Sunset Key, 30 luxury cottages nestled off the coast of Key West, as well as invest in renovations, including the iconic Palace Hotel in San Francisco and the St. Anthony Hotel in San Antonio.
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About The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts
The Luxury Collection® is a collection of hotels and resorts offering unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories. For the global explorer, The Luxury Collection offers a gateway to the world’s most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort is a unique and cherished expression of its location; a portal to the destination’s indigenous charms and treasures. Magnificent decor, spectacular settings, impeccable service and the latest modern conveniences combine to provide a uniquely enriching experience. Originated in 1906 under the CIGA brand as a collection of Europe’s most celebrated and iconic properties, today The Luxury Collection brand is a glittering ensemble of more than 90 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in more than 35 countries in bustling cities and spectacular destinations around the world. The Luxury Collection includes award-winning properties that continuously exceed guest expectations by offering unparalleled service, style and class while celebrating each hotel’s distinctive heritage and unique character. All of these hotels, many of them centuries old, are internationally recognized as being among the world’s finest. For more information, please visit www.luxurycollection.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 more than 1,200 properties in some 100 countries and over 180,000 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®, Element® and the recently introduced Tribute Portfolio™. 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 recently announced plans to spin off its Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc. business, a premier provider of world-class vacation experiences through villa-style resorts and privileged access to Starwood brands, into a standalone public company by the end of 2015. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.