Starwood Strikes Historic Cuba Deals

With the restoration of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba underway, major hotel chains are seizing the opportunity to make business moves and headlines.

High-ranking executives from top US companies traveled to Cuba this week in conjunction with the first US presidential visit in 88 years. Among these executives were Marriott CEO, Arne Sorenson and Starwood Senior Vice President and Chief of Latin America Operations, Jorge Giannattasio.

While both Marriott and Starwood are among other hotel chains with plans to expand into Cuba, Starwood became the first to receive authorization from the US Treasury Department to operate in the island nation. Starwood signed three deals in Cuba on Saturday, March 19 that will give the chain management rights to the 83-room Hotel Inglaterra, which will become part of the Starwood Luxury Collection, and the 186-room Hotel Quinta Avenida, which will become the Four Points by Sheraton Havana. It also signed a letter of intent to manage the 27-room Hotel Santa Isabel, which will also join Starwood’s Luxury Collection.

For more information, visit: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/corporate/about/investor/news.html

Hotel Inglaterra