Starwood has announced plans to open its first Aloft hotel in Miami in December, marking the start of the brand’s expansion in South East Florida.
The 160-room Aloft Miami-Brickell will be owned and managed as a joint venture between Sunview Companies and HES Group, and will make up part of a “multi-use lifestyle centre” in the city’s downtown area.
Facilities will include an indoor pool, the w xyz bar, a 24-hour gym, private parking and 278sqm of meeting space, all spread over 14 floors.
"We hope this is going to be the first of several Aloft Hotels we develop and manage in the Southeast Florida area," said Francisco Arocha, CEO of HES Group. "There is a huge need for upscale accommodations within the select services niche in the area.”
Since the brand’s launch in 2008, 50 hotels have opened bearing the Aloft name. In November Starwood announced its second Aloft hotel in Asia – the Aloft Bangkok-Sukhumvit 11 – to open in April (see online news November 1).
In other news, Starwood has inked a deal to open a 343-room Sheraton hotel in Sharjah, the third largest emirate in the UAE, in 2013. The opening will also be the group’s debut in the former Arab Capital of Culture.
The hotel, to be located on Al Muntazah Beach, will feature 48 suites, three restaurants, a private beach, six meeting rooms and two ballrooms. Other facilities will include a 950sqm spa and gym.
Visit starwoodhotels.com.
Report by Andrew Gough
