Starwood - first U.S hotel company to enter Cuba in nearly 60 years

The group has announced the signing of three hotels in the communist-led island nation following authorisation from the U.S. Treasury Department for Starwood to operate in Cuba. The news came a day before President Obama touches down for a historic visit in Havana - the first US presidential visit to the country since the 1959 revolution. The Hotel Inglaterra in Havana will join Starwood’s The Luxury Collection brand, while the Hotel Quinta Avenida will become a Four Points by Sheraton. Both hotels will undergo renovations before opening as Starwood properties later in the year. The company also signed a letter of intent to convert the Hotel Santa Isabel into a member of The Luxury Collection. Starwood beat competition from several other U.S hospitality chains, including Marriott International, to become the first to invest in hotels in Cuba. “With Cuba’s rich history, natural beauty and strong culture, there is no question the entire U.S. hospitality industry has watched Cuba with great interest, and we are thrilled to lead the charge and bring our sophisticated, high-end brands into the market at this inflection point,” said Thomas B. Mangas, Starwood’s Chief Executive Officer. The Inglaterra first opened its doors in 1875 and is home to the famed Gran Café el Louvre, which has hosted artists and travellers for over a century. Upon completion, the hotel will offer 83 rooms. Hotel Quinta Avenida is located in Havana’s Miramar district and will primarily cater to business travellers. It will have approximately 186 rooms and state-of-the-art meeting facilities. The Hotel Santa Isabel is a nineteenth century colonial-style palace situated on the Plaza de Armas and overlooking Havana Harbor. It will offer 27 rooms, including 11 suites. “Hotel conversions, like those we announced today, allow us to preserve history, architecture and culture while offering a unique branded experience. With our long-standing, locally based and highly experienced team in Latin America and the Caribbean, we look forward to welcoming guests to Cuba for many decades to come,” said Jorge Giannattasio, Starwood’s Senior Vice President and Chief of Latin America Operations. Last month, the U.S. and Cuba signed an agreement that allows U.S. airlines to operate up to 110 daily roundtrip flights, which would resume commercial airline service between the two countries for the first time in more than 50 years and promises to vastly increase the number of Americans travelling to Cuba.