Starwood to launch Westin hotels in South America and other international hotel news

Starwood to launch Westin hotels in South America
Starwood is to launch its Westin brand in South America with the opening of its first property in Peru's capital city of Lima. Scheduled to open in early 2010, the new-build Westin Libertador Lima Hotel will be located in the city's financial district. It will feature 311 guestrooms, more than 30,000sq ft of meeting space, a lobby bar and two restaurants. The hotel will be Starwood's second property in Lima, following the Sheraton Lima Hotel & Convention Centre.

Hilton Garden Inn to enter Turkey
Hilton Hotels Corporation is to launch its Hilton Garden Inn brand in Turkey with the opening of a new property in the city of Diyarbakir in the south east of the country in December 2009. Hilton has entered into a management agreement with Amplio Gayrimenkul Yatirim ve Gelistirme Anonim Sirketi and plans to launch a further 15 Hampton by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn hotels as part of a non exclusive strategic development alliance with the group. Located near the city centre and the airport, the new 150-room Hilton Garden Inn Diyarbakir will be situated near a large shopping mall and residential complex.

IHG launches Indigo brand in Mexico
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is expanding its Hotel Indigo brand into Mexico. The company opened its first property in Mérida, with second set to open in Mexico City in 2009. Jim Anhut, senior vice-president, brand management, Hotel Indigo, said: "As the capital city of the state of Yucatán and the cultural and financial centre of the Yucatán Peninsula, Mérida is an ideal location for our first property in Mexico. We're proud to launch Hotel Indigo in Mexico and believe this opening to be a fantastic way to end a banner year for our rapidly growing brand."

Marriott International to expand Swiss portfolio
Marriott International will add a 174-room Courtyard by Marriott property in Basel, Switzerland, in 2010. The Courtyard by Marriott Basel will be part of a mixed-use development comprising a 10-floor office tower with retail space. It will include an open-plan lobby with an all-day restaurant and a lobby lounge. It will also feature 410sq m of meeting space offering a ballroom and a range of board meeting rooms. The hotel will bring the Marriott hotel portfolio in the country to four properties.

By Kerstin Kühn