ALOFT BRINGS THE NEW TWIST IN TRAVEL TO BALLANTYNE

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) and its much-anticipated new lifestyle brand, aloft hotels, announced today it is partnering with Bissell Hotels to break ground in the Ballantyne area of Charlotte, NC. 

 

The 135-room aloft Charlotte Ballantyne will be located on Ballantyne Corporate Place, adjacent to Ballantyne Resort and The Lodge at Ballantyne, overlooking the first hole of the Golf Club at Ballantyne Resort. Set amidst a burgeoning master-planned community in the heart of south Charlotte, aloft Charlotte Ballantyne has access to unparalleled amenities, such as a championship golf course, the award-winning Spa at Ballantyne Resort, helipad and more.  In addition, the hotel is conveniently located 20 minutes from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport and within minutes of uptown Charlotte.

 

“Ballantyne is the fastest developing community in Charlotte, and we feel aloft is a natural fit for the area as the brand defines dynamism,” said Ross Klein, President of Starwood Luxury Brand Group and aloft hotels. “We’re excited to bring aloft to Ballantyne and another fun, new way to play and stay in the area.”

 

“We look forward to working with Starwood on this venture and believe that aloft will be a welcomed addition to Ballantyne,” said Joe Hallow, President and COO, Bissell Hotels.  “With the continued growth of the Ballantyne area, the timing is ideal to introduce this state-of-the-art facility with a contemporary feel and provide something fresh and different to today’s travelers with ever-changing needs and on-the-go lifestyles.”

 

Bissell Development will oversee the project, working with architecture firm LS3P and contractor Cox & Schepp.

 

As a Vision of W Hotels, aloft is shaking up the lodging industry with urban-influenced design, accessible technology, style and a social atmosphere.  aloft offers a total sensory experience, with guest lofts featuring loft-like nine-foot ceilings and oversized windows to create a bright, airy environment. The centerpiece of the loft room is the ultra-comfortable signature bed, and large stylish bathrooms complement the guest experience with oversized walk-in showers and amenities created by Bliss® spa.  Each guest loft is also a combination high-tech office and entertainment center, featuring wireless internet access and plug & play, a one-stop connectivity solution for multiple electronic gadgetry such as PDAs, cell phones, mp3 players and laptops - all linked to a large flat panel HDTV ready television for optimal sound and viewing.

 

Designed in conjunction with world renowned David Rockwell and the Rockwell group, aloft stays true to W’s heritage, offering atmosphericpublicspaces designed to draw guests from their rooms to socialize and make friends.  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 indoor pool, give travelers options to de-stress and re-energize; while re:fuel by aloft, a one-stop food and beverage area, offers sweet, savory and healthy food, snacks and beverages to grab & go, 24-hours a day. 

 

The first aloft hotels are targeted to open in 2008, with locations expected to be anytown/anywhere… For more information on aloft, please visit www.alofthotels.com.

 

Infused with the DNA of W Hotels, aloft is a new destination sensation featuring loft-inspired design, accessible technology and a stylish urban attitude.  Starwood anticipates the first aloft hotels to open in 2008, with 500 properties worldwide expected by 2012.

 

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 850 properties in more than 95 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood® Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, Sheraton®, Westin®, Four Points® by Sheraton, W®, Le Méridien and the recently announced Aloft^SM and Element^SM Hotels.  Starwood Hotels also own 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.

 

Bissell Hotels is a subsidiary of Bissell Family of Companies, owned by H.C. Bissell. Bissell Hotels owns and operates multiple hotels in the Charlotte area. The Mobil Four-Star, AAA Four-Diamond Ballantyne Resort is the company’s flagship property. www.bissell-companies.com.

Press Release by: Christina Argeris