HAVANA (Sputnik) – Starwood added that the two hotels would be renovated "before raising their new brand flags later in 2016."
"Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. ("Starwood") (NYSE:HOT) today signed three new hotel deals in Cuba, marking the first US based hospitality company to enter the market in nearly 60 years… Long-time Havana icon, Hotel Inglaterra, will join The Luxury Collection and Hotel Quinta Avenida will become a Four Points by Sheraton," the release said Saturday.
The company also announced that it had signed a letter of Intent to "convert" the third Hotel Santa Isabel into a member of The Luxury Collection.
Starwood is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with nearly 1,300 properties in some 100 countries and approximately 188,000 employees. The company is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences under the world famous brands, including The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, ST. Regis and others.
In December 2014, Obama announced the United States would normalize relations with Cuba. The two countries reopened embassies in their respective capitals in July 2015 after more than 50 years of hostility and non-engagement. Despite the rapprochement between the two countries and increased trade and travel opportunities, the United States continues to maintain a congressionally-mandated trade embargo on Cuba.
