Loews eyes European development
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Loews Hotels & Resorts is looking to build hotels in Europe as the US hotel chain continues to invest in new and renovated hotels.
The hotel group has already acquired three hotels in the last year with openings in Boston, Washington DC and Hollywood but is looking for further growth across the US, Canada, Caribbean, Mexico and Europe.
The group’s management has already been scouting locations for a London hotel, with other key European cities also being targeted.
Speaking to Travel Daily, David Wiener, VP sales at Loews said the brand has gone through an “evolution” under president and CEO Paul W. Whetsell, who joined the company two years ago with the instruction to double the group’s portfolio.
“Our development plans aim to boost our portfolio to 30-50 properties which will include further growth in the US and the entry into new markets,” he explained. “The European market is important to us in terms of inbound numbers to the US so it was logical that this s the place to grow.”
Aside from European destinations, Loews has already settled contracts to open a hotel in Orlando early next year as well as one in Chicago in 2015.
Its new builds and recent renovations have come to the tune of US$1 billion in around 18 months, in what Wiener says keeps the hotels “fresh and current” for guests. Guestrooms, public spaces and restaurants have all been renovated in several hotels such as the Regency New York, which will reopen in January.
In fact the company has made itself known by acquiring already infamous properties, such as the Washington DC hotel that JFK opened to the property attached to the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
This association, as well as increased activity in the UK and other markets, has helped increase Loews’ brand awareness.
“The UK market is seeing double digit growth for us as we’ve become more aggressive in the marketplace,” Wiener explained. “The length of stay is increasing and we are finding that those who have multi-centre trips are staying across several properties in one stay.”
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