W Hotels Heads for the Slopes of Verbier, Switzerland
Announces First Ski Retreat
WHITE PLAINS, NY, March 29, 200. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced the signing of a management agreement with Les Trois Rocs to open the W Verbier Retreat in the stylish ski resort town of Verbier, Switzerland. The 142-room W Verbier Retreat is slated to open in late 2009 and will be W's first ski Retreat and first hotel in Switzerland, further strengthening W's position as the fastest growing luxury hotel brand in the world.
The W Verbier Retreat will be the first internationally branded hotel in this premier ski town and is expected to become one of Verbier's leading apres-ski destinations offering panoramic views and unbeatable proximity to the slopes. Located at the base of the mountain, W Verbier Retreat will offer ski-in, ski-out access to gondolas that take skiers directly to Verbier's ski runs. The hotel will be part of a luxury mixed-use development project owned by Les Trois Rocs, which will also include two retail buildings, a restaurant and a night club.
"W continues to extend beyond the boundaries of everyday travel, offering a magical mix of sexy destinations and sublime design," said Ross Klein, President of Starwood's Luxury Brands Group. "The combination of Verbier's stylish jet set, stunning views, and world-class skiing makes this destination a perfect match for W."
Expected to become a hotspot for Verbier's fashionable visitors, the W Verbier Retreat will feature a signature restaurant, destination bar, W Living Room, and a spa and fitness center. The hotel's four buildings, designed in the Swiss chalet style, will be interconnected by glass corridors. Guest rooms will offer breathtaking views of Verbier's ski slopes, as well as the surrounding valley and mountains.
Located in the 'Medran' area of the ski town of Verbier, in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, the W Verbier Retreat will be an exciting addition to the other recently announced W hotels in Europe, Africa and the Middle East in destinations including Milan, St. Petersburg, Barcelona, Athens, Istanbul, Dubai and Doha. The W Verbier Retreat also strengthens W's portfolio of Retreat hotels, joining the award-winning W Maldives, and two additional Retreats that are currently under development: W Vieques and W Koh Samui.
"We are incredibly excited about the W Verbier Retreat, which marks W's first entry into a European ski destination," said Roeland Vos, President of Starwood the Europe, Africa and Middle East. "The W Verbier Retreat confirms Starwood's commitment to the development of the W brand in Europe, Africa and Middle East, providing another fabulous destination for our guests."
Verbier is situated in the heart of the Alps at an altitude of approximately 5,000 to 11,000 feet and enjoys an exceptionally sunny climate due to its southwesterly exposure. Renowned for its spacious and well-maintained ski slopes, Verbier is one of the leading ski resorts in Europe.
After a day of skiing, guests will delight in W's signature bed, outfitted with feather-top mattresses, 350 thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets and goose down comforters. The W Verbier Retreat will also offer W's signature Whatever/Whenever service, the hotel's 24-hour concierge that can provide whatever guests want -- from a pair of running shoes to private jet service -- whenever they want it.
About Les Trois Rocs
Les Trois Rocs is the team behind the highly acclaimed Medran Project, a pedestrian-friendly development, that will include the new W Verbier Retreat and commercial spaces set idyllically on the slopes of Verbier. The idea of Medran was conceived as part of a plan to offer holiday luxury, while adhering to the genuine spirit and charm of the Swiss Alps. One of Verbier's most prominent architect bureaus is amongst an impressive line-up of experienced industry professionals that make up the Les Trois Rocs team. Due to be completed in 2009-2010, the Medran Project will provide visitors with unprecedented luxury, while adding beauty and pride to Verbier's local community.
(Note: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities regulations. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and involve risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated at the time the forward-looking statements are made. These risks and uncertainties are presented in detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although we believe the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained or that results and events will not materially differ. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.)
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