SPG announces more hotels in Australia,NZ.

[drron]

Starwood to Set Up Aloft, Expand Four Points Hotels in Australia - Businessweek

The Stamford, Connecticut-based company plans to open as many as 15 Aloft hotels in Australia and have a Four Points by Sheraton hotel in all eight state capitals within five years, said Andrew Taylor, Sydney-based director of acquisitions and developments for the Pacific region.
Starwood will open Melbourne’s only Sheraton Hotel in March 2014 as part of a mixed-use project that includes apartments and retail properties, according to Taylor. The property is being developed by the Golden Age Development Group, a private company based in the city.
Starwood is in talks to manage a hotel that’s being developed in a city on Australia’s east coast, to be one of its“mid-market” brands and set to open in 2013 or early 2014, Taylor said, declining to provide further details.
It is also planning to enter Auckland with a Sheraton hotel within the next three years, Taylor said.

Great news for us lonely SPG fans.

 

[QF1]

This is good news...about time they look seriously into the Australian market.

 

[Keith009]

Would prefer a few more higher end properties around here but I guess the Australian market is pretty saturated.

 

[serfty]

It would be good to have more SPG options - more recently, SPG have began to improve on their guaranteed bennies.

I watch with interest.

 

[moa999]

Note they dont have a great record of actually opening after announcements.
eg Starwood Hotels & Resorts

 

[futaris]

What's the bet that at least some of these fall through again, e.g. Brisbane...

 

[dfcatch]

There are two reasons why my loyalty has switched from SPG to HHonors.

1/ The lack of Australian properties

Which is a shame because I do really like SPG - particularly Westin - and they are my preferred North American chain, which accounts for quite a number of my yearly stays.


2/ The Velocity HHonors match

Although - I was already HHonors Gold before I got matched to Diamond with Velocity - that was just the cream on top.

When my SPG Gold expired I asked SPG if they would consider extending my status / offering me a challenge to keep it (given I had a number of potential stays coming up).

Unfortunately for SPG - whilst they were happy to offer a challenge - they weren't prepared to provide status until AFTER the challenge was completed.

As a result - I embraced my new HHonors benefits and Hilton has won out massively this year, with stays both in Australia and North America.

As of this week I think I'm up to 25 stays and 35 nights.

Most of which would have gone to SPG had they not been so stubborn.


PS. Dear SPG - my North American season is approaching - I can always be bought

 

[Sprucegoose]

Too long comingi am afraid. I have requirements now!

They did have a conscience withdrawal strategy....

 

[burrco]

Basically the new Sheraton in Melbourne, a potential rebrand in Auckland and a stack of new four points & alofts - better than nothing but not overly exciting.

 

[lovestotravel]

Nice

About time too

 

[Berlin]

I long thought the Aloft concept would work over here. Not much in the price category available besides Accor properties or maybe Holiday Inn. Definitely a welcome addition to the market here!

 

[samh004]

They should be looking at the Gold Coast, especially now there's a Hilton and the Commonwelath Games is 6 years away... and yes I know there's already the Mirage, but another property would work here, closer to the city.




 

[markis10]

They should be looking at the Gold Coast, especially now there's a Hilton and the Commonwelath Games is 6 years away... and yes I know there's already the Mirage, but another property would work here, closer to the city.




Maybe the Radisson will become a four points?