World of Hotels

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is a hospitality ownership, management, and franchise organization based in White Plains, New York. One of the world's largest hotel companies, it owns, operates, franchises and manages hotels, resorts, spas, residences, and vacation ownership properties under its nine owned brands. So far, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. owned, managed, or franchised 925 properties and as of December 31, 2007 the firm employed about 155 000 people.

History

Starwood Hotels and Resorts was originally formed by the real estate investment firm Starwood Capital to take advantage of a tax break; at the time the company was known as Starwood Lodging. Initially, Starwood Lodging owned a number of hotels throughout North America, all under different brand names. The Westin Hotel Company was purchased in 1994 from Aoki Corporation of Japan. Starwood acquired the Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton, and The Luxury Collection brands from ITT Sheraton in 1998.

In 1999, Starwood launched their "W" Hotels boutique brand. In September 2005, Starwood announced the launch of aloft, a new hotel brand based on W. aloft Hotels cater toward business travelers. Starwood intends to have 500 aloft hotels worldwide by 2012. In 2005, Starwood purchased the Le Méridien brand, which greatly increased the company's operations in Europe.

In 2004, Starwood's founder and CEO Barry Sternlicht stepped down as CEO to focus his attention on his other firm, Starwood Capital. He remained on the Board of Directors until 2005. He was succeeded as CEO by Steven J. Heyer, and Starwood began selling a number of its company-owned hotels, instead focusing on becoming a management company and franchiser for its current and future hotel brands. In April 2007, Steven J. Heyer left the company on the request of the Board of Directors because of an issue with Heyer's management style and after allegations of personal misconduct. Chairman of the Board Bruce Duncan served as interim CEO until September 2007, when the company announced Heyer's successor, Frits van Paasschen.

Visit official Site of Starwood: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/

Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts are regarded as among the most luxurious and innovative in the world and have won numerous international travel and tourism awards. The company was founded in 1997 with the aim to become a hospitality industry leader through establishing a world class portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts.

Jumeirah's core essence to STAY DIFFERENT^™ promises guests experiences that are as unique and innovative as the brand itself. It recognises the distinctiveness of luxury travellers and the importance of personal experiences in their lives.

In line with this core essence, the individuality of the Jumeirah portfolio is unmistakable, encompassing the world renowned Burj Al Arab, the world's most luxurious hotel, the multi-award winning Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Madinat Jumeirah and Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa in Dubai; the Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in London; and the Jumeirah Essex House in New York.

Building on this success, in 2004 Jumeirah Group became a member of Dubai Holding - a collection of leading Dubai-based businesses and projects - in line with a new phase of growth and development for the Group.

Genting Highland Hotel & Resort is the Asia leading integrated leisure and entertainment resort with over 10,000 rooms available in 5 hotels to suit every traveler's budget, the hotels are from budget to 5 stars within the hill which located 6118 feet above sea level. You can enjoy a year-round fresh cool climate. There are over 90 food & beverage outlets, 80 retail stores, 60 fun rides, casinos and entertainment attractions. These are the unique of Genting Highland.