(SINGAPORE) - Ignoring worldwide economic recession reports, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. has closed deals in Asia that will debut four multi-million-dollar luxury resorts between December of this year and 2011.

Four Points Kuching Hotel

They are the 156-room Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa on the private island of Furana Fushi in the Republic of Maldives; the 421-room Four Points by Sheraton Kuching in the East Malaysian city of Kuching; the 330-room Le Meridien Qingdao in Qingdao, China; and the 345-room Le Meridien Chongqing in Chongqing, China.

"The Sheraton brand is familiar and well-known to travelers and the addition of this spectacular hotel to our beautiful collection of upper upscale resorts located throughout the world gives leisure travelers more reasons to love us," says Miguel Ko, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific.

Miguel Ko

Starwood is partnering with a Maldives developer, W Retreat & Spa. "Maldives is the first W resort in the world and has been making waves since September 2006," says Ko.


The W resort is owned by a joint venture between an affiliate of Starwood and Universal Enterprises Private Ltd., the parent company of Full Moon Private Ltd.


Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is scheduled to open Dec. 1.

Colin Vickers

In East Malaysia, Colin Vickers, General Manager, Four Points by Sheraton, is confident his hotel guests "will be able to enjoy a comfortable, fun and uncomplicated experience, all at an honest value."  Vickers says the resort will be Kuching's first international hotel in 15 years.

The hotel, Starwood's first in Southeast Asia, is set to open in December.  

In China, Starwood's Le Meridien brand continues its expansion in Asia Pacific.  Le Meridian Qingdao and Le Meridien Chongqing are scheduled to open in 2011. Starwood is also partnering with Wanda Group of China to add a Sheraton in Wuxi and a Weston in Taiyuan.

"We are thrilled to announce what will be two stunning Le Meridien hotels in Qingdao and Chongqing, two of China's most exciting destinations," says Starwood's Ko.  "Chongqing is the biggest inland river port in western China and one of the most established industrial bases in China."   

Le Meridien Qingdao Hotel

Ko adds, Quingdao "attracts travelers with its rich cultural heritage and sound economic strength."

Eva Ziegler

Eva Ziegler, Brand Leader of Le Meridien, says "it's no surprise that tourists and business travelers are flocking to Thailand and China in droves, drawn by these two countries' rich landscapes, exciting metropolises and luxurious resort enclaves."



Starwood's North American headquarters are at White Plains, NY.

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