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Starwood's The Luxury Collection Debuts in Australia
With Addition of Lilianfels and Echoes Resorts in Blue Mountains
SYDNEY - February 13, 2012 - Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT - News ) today announced it has reached an agreement with Lilianfels Hotel Blue Mountains Pty Ltd and Echoes Hotel Blue Mountains Pty Ltd to rebrand Lilianfels and Echoes resorts in Blue Mountains, Australia. Under The Luxury Collection brand, the two hotels will become Lilianfels, A Luxury Collection Resort, Blue Mountains, Australia and Echoes, A Luxury Collection Resort, Blue Mountains, Australia. They are scheduled to debut on 13th February 2012.
"We are thrilled to introduce The Luxury Collection brand to Australia with the signings of two renowned resorts,” said Sean Hunt, Regional Vice President, Starwood Pacific Hotels & Resorts. “As we welcome Lilianfels and Echoes to The Luxury Collection’s esteemed portfolio, we celebrate their distinctive character, indigenous charm and unparalleled service that allow guests to experience the scenic Blue Mountains in a unique way.”
“The Luxury Collection is experiencing a great wave of global growth this year in the Asia Pacific,” continued Paul James, Global Brand Leader, St. Regis and The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts. “This is a significant milestone for the brand and continues Starwood’s expansion in Australia and the Pacific region where we currently operate 13 hotels.”
The Luxury Collection brand is an ensemble of more than 75 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in more than 30 countries. All of these hotels are internationally recognized as being among the world’s finest. As the newest members of The Luxury Collection brand, Lilianfels and Echoes join a portfolio of celebrated and iconic properties around the world including The Gritti Palace in Venice, Hotel Alfonso XIII in Seville, Hotel Pulitzer in Amsterdam, The Romanos in Costa Navarino and The Chatwal in New York City.
“Lilianfels has been synonymous for luxury in Australia for more than 20 years. Our partnership with Starwood Hotels marks a new chapter for the iconic Blue Mountains Collection,” said George Saad, Lilianfels and Echoes Director. “The Luxury Collection will reaffirm our positioning as the ‘indigenous luxury’ destination where guests can expect uncompromised service in one of the most well-preserved settings in Australia.”
Located on the bluff of the Three Sisters and the World Heritage Area, Lilianfels is the former residence of New South Wale’s Chief of Justice, Sir Frederick Darley, dating back in 1889. Lilianfels features 85 guest rooms and suites, 235sqm of meeting space, 2 restaurants including the award winning “Darley’s”, lobby lounge, bar, outdoor swimming pool, indoor heated pool, floodlit tennis court and an impressive luxury spa. Lilianfels was named the Leading Resort in Australia by World Travel Awards in 2011 in addition to being honored on Travel & Leisure’s Top Five Resorts in the Oceana region.
Adjacent to Lilianfels, Echoes is a former retreat for a renowned Australian writer Thomas Keneally. Perched at the very edge of the Jamison Valley at Echo Point in the Blue Mountains, the resort offers guests an intimate experience with 14 contemporary-designed rooms and suites featuring an uninterrupted and panoramic view of the National Park. Refined facilities include award-winning Echoes Restaurant, the private spa and sauna.
Under The Luxury Collection brand, Lilianfels and Echoes will introduce the signature Luxury Collection Concierge service, which will provide extraordinary access Blue Mountains’ indigenous charms and treasures.
The signing of Lilianfels and Echoes follows The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts recent opening of The Hongta Hotel in Shanghai. The renowned brand continues its plans to grow globally with four new hotels and resorts opening in Asia within the next six months, including The Royal Begonia in Sanya, Twelve at Hengshan in Shanghai, ITC Grand Chola in Chennai, India and Keraton at The Plaza in Jakarta. Starwood continues to lengthen its lead in luxury hospitality, with nearly 150 luxury hotels under its St. Regis, Luxury Collection and W Hotel brands, offering guests and residents exceptional levels of service and luxury experiences in a wide range of destinations around the world.
For more information on Echoes, please visit www.luxurycollection.com/echoes
For more information on Lilianfels, please visit www.luxurycollection.com/lilianfels
About The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts
The Luxury Collection® is an ensemble 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 décor, 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 75 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in more than 30 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 1090 properties in 100 countries and territories with 154,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels 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 Element SM. 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 Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.
