Aimbridge and JV Partners Open an Aloft

Fourth Aloft Hotel in Texas Managed by Aimbridge

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. March 24, 2009

SAN ANTONIO, TX, March 23, 2009 - Aimbridge Hospitality and joint venture partners including Champ Hospitality LP and JF Capital Advisors officially open its fourth Texas AloftSM hotel near San Antonio International Airport during a ribbon cutting ceremony held March 19. Aloft, the Starwood Hotels & Resorts Inc. lifestyle brand is bringing style and atmosphere to San Antonio visitors and residents by giving them a fun way to play and stay. The joint partnership has already opened Aloft hotels in Plano, Irving and Frisco, Texas. Aimbridge Hospitality will manage a fifth Aloft in Texas at the Houston Galleria, scheduled to open in July.

The Aloft San Antonio Airport Park North is located at 838 NW Loop 410 (2.5 miles from the San Antonio International Airport) and is part of the 55-acre mixed-use Park North Plaza retail development project led by Austin-based HPI Real Estate Services & Investments. The 69,158 square-foot hotel will offer guests a total sensory experience, with 141 loft-like guestrooms featuring nine-foot ceilings and oversized windows creating a bright, airy environment.

As a Vision of W Hotels, the Aloft hotel stays true to the W Hotel brand's heritage, offering atmospheric public spaces designed to draw guests from their rooms. Guests can read the paper, work on their laptops via hotel-wide wireless internet access, play a game of pool or grab a drink with friends at the re:mix communal lobby area and bar w xyz. The re:charge fitness center and splash, the heated outdoor pool, give guests options to de-stress and re-energize; while re:fuel, the 24-hour one-stop food and beverage area, offers sweet, savory and healthy food to guests.

On behalf of Aimbridge Hospitality, welcome to the Aloft San Antonio Airport Park North," General Manager Adam Patenaude said to more than 200 guests at the hotel's ribbon cutting ceremony. "San Antonio truly is deep in the heart of Texas, and deep in the hearts of everyone who helped us to bring this exciting new Starwood brand to the community. Today we would like to thank our valued partners and those at the San Antonio Chamber and HPI Real Estate Services for making this momentous day possible.

"San Antonio is a city rich in arts and culture, family fun, history and heritage, and outdoor adventure," he said. "Today it also becomes home to a bold, stylish hotel that will deliver an eclectic and electric experience to travelers and area professionals. It's a day to live life Aloft in San Antonio."

Attractions located near the Aloft San Antonio Airport Park North include the Northstar Mall, McNay Art Museum, San Antonio Zoo and Sunken Gardens, San Antonio Riverwalk, The Alamo and Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Sea World theme parks. The San Antonio Military Medical Center and U.S. Army's Fort Sam Houston are 11 miles from the Aloft San Antonio Airport Park North.

Mark Granados, Managing Partner for the retail division of HPI Real Estate Services & Investments, said the Aloft hotel is the perfect complement to the city's Park North Plaza project.

"We are excited about the opening of the first Aloft in San Antonio at Park North Plaza," Granados said. "Its opening starts the final leg of the mixed-use development project with the balance of construction set to wrap up July 26. The development of the hotel was a coordinated effort between both teams and required tackling a tight constrained development site in the middle of an operating property - hats off to the guys in the field that pulled it off."

Joe Champ, President of Champ Hospitality LP, developer of the hotel, said: "For many years San Antonio has consistently been a favorite destination of tourists, convention participants, business travelers and international visitors. By bringing Aloft to San Antonio, we are bringing an exciting new fun lodging option to visitors and a new favorite local meeting place for residents. We look forward to welcoming our first guests."

Brent Rumsey, Starwood Hotels & Resorts director, new builds and transitions, franchise group, concurred with Champ, saying the new lifestyle brand is he perfect fit for the San Antonio market. "Aloft will bring energy to San Antonio by offering the opportunity to mix and mingle in a space that is stylish, fun and affordable. With its urban influenced design, accessible technology and social atmosphere, aloft San Antonio will provide a distinct and exhilarating experience targeted to style-conscious travelers."

Denise McGee-Brown, Ambassador Chair for the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, presented Champ with a commemorative plaque to signify the official opening of the Aloft hotel. "Aloft brings a new hotel concept to San Antonio and is a breath of fresh air for this area of town," McGee-Brown said. "We are thrilled that Aloft brought San Antonio a cutting-edge hotel which indeed appeals to all the five senses."

The event concluded with hotel staff raising the flag to signify that the Aloft San Antonio Airport Park North is open for business.

Additional information and bookings may be made at www.starwoodhotels.com. Aloft hotels participate in the Starwood Preferred Guest(R) frequent-traveler program, which offers a variety of redemption opportunities including free nights with no blackout dates on standard rooms, exclusive member benefits and flexible reward options.