Starwood Hotels & Resorts to Simultaneously Debut 13 New Four Points Hotels by Sheraton on September 27th
Brand Increases by More Than 10%
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Four Points Hotels by Sheraton -- the fastest growing brand in the midscale, full-service lodging segment and the fastest growing brand in Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide portfolio -- dramatically picks up the pace of its new hotel conversions on April 27, 2000 when the brand flag rises over 13 new properties in markets throughout the United States.
Starwood Chief Operating Officer Robert F. Cotter announced the master management contract for these 13 new Four Points Hotels today at a press conference in New York City, accompanied by Charles Scott, President of Barcelo Hotels USA.
The addition of these properties increases the brand -- literally overnight -- by more than 10%, bringing the Four Points Hotel collection to 132 properties. Significantly, though Four Points Hotels is primarily a franchise driven brand, all of these new Four Points Barcelo Hotels are being converted from the Wyndham and Wyndham Garden Hotel brands under a management contract.
Forecasts based on present commitments for continued conversions and new build hotels place the brand on track to closeout the year with approximately 160 properties worldwide. Unlike most mid-scale hotels, all Four Points Hotels by Sheraton are full-service properties offering room service; on-premise restaurants; meeting rooms with catering capabilities, and a fitness facility (most with swimming pools).
Spanning the length of the continental United States from New Jersey to California, this portfolio adds a total of 2,691 rooms bringing the Four Points Hotels inventory to 25,317. The new Four Points Barcelo Hotels are located in Newark and Piscataway, New Jersey; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Burlington and Waltham, Massachusetts; Oakbrook, Illinois; Lexington, Kentucky; Kansas City, Missouri; Denver, Colorado; Phoenix, Arizona; and Monrovia, Culver City, and San Rafael, California.
"This expansion follows a year of record setting growth for the Four Points Hotels by Sheraton brand. In 1999 Four Points Hotels grew from 79 properties in 8 countries to 115 hotels in 10 countries," stated Cotter. "Our success in the mid-price, full service tier offers compelling testimonial to the viability and vitality of our young brand; reinforces the value-added we bring to owners, and the added value we provide consumers."
Barcelo Hotels USA owns 18 properties in 12 states and the District of Columbia, and represents such international brands as Four Points Hotels By Sheraton, Sheraton, Radisson, and Clarion.
"This strategic linking of the Barcelo family name with the Four Points Hotel by Sheraton family name opens new opportunities for growth, expansion and wider awareness among the traveling public in America and around the world," stated Barcelo Hotels USA President Charles Scott.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.