Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide plans to start expansion in Europe. The company sees its main force in collaborating with independent, often family-owned hotels. As a rule these properties are referred to luxury segment, so they perfectly fit Starwood’s Marriott brand, especially the hotelier’s Autograph Collection.
In his interview to Bloomberg Michael Wale, the senior vice president of Starwood Northwest Europe, tells they have already started negotiations with many owners of independent luxury hotels. Currently the company is in “very good financial state”, so it can afford expanding its portfolio and adding new properties. However, Wale doesn’t specify whether they are going to conclude managing agreements with owners of independent hotels, or just offer sales and marketing services.
Based in New York, Starwood has ambitious plans concerning new hotels outside the US. The company has 50 properties in target within next 5 years. These will be hotels in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.