St. Regis to Double Global Footprints in 5 Years: Jim Petrus

By Rashmi Pradhan THE ST-REGIS-brand--part of-Starwood Hotels & Resorts--which currently operates 34 hotels across the globe aims to double-its global footprint within-five years. Speaking on the sidelines of the official opening of The St. Regis Mumbai, the hotel that marks the debut of the brand in South Asia, Jim Petrus, Senior Vice President and Global Brand Leader, St Regis Hotels & Resorts, (see photo) said, ’We aim to double the footprints of St. Regis brand globally in the next five years. New properties will open in Tokyo, Seoul, London, Paris, Bengaluru, Delhi among other locations. We want to have a presence in the main metros in India’. Petrus-added that the group planned to open 11 St. Regis Hotels in the next 15 months at an investment of USD 2.5 billion. In the next ten days, the next St Regis would be opening in Dubai followed by the mid-December opening of St Regis Macao Cotai. The St Regis Langkawi will open by April 2016 and The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is scheduled to open by September 2016. In January 2017 the St. Regis Shanghai would be open for business, he added. According to Petrus, the two things that describes St. Regis, were a ’high level of personalized service and excellence in everything we do.’ Talking about The St. Regis Mumbai, the first in South Asia, Petrus said, ’Being the commercial capital of India, Mumbai is an important market and a major player in the Indian hospitality segment. The introduction of St. Regis to India marks a significant milestone for the brand’s expansion in South Asia, and Mumbai displays a robust demand for high-end hospitality from affluent travelers from all around the globe. We are uniquely positioned to cater to the needs of a new generation of luxury travelers, offering a personalized experience informed by the brand's legacy.’ Anuraag Bhatnagar, Area General Manager India, Starwood Hotels & Resorts-said, ’We have been getting a great response since we took over this property.’ Located at Lower Parel, The St. Regis Mumbai is owned by Pallazzio Hotels & Leisure Limited. The property includes 395 guest rooms including 27 suites, and for extended stays, the property’s 39 residential suites feature a spacious living room, fully equipped kitchenette and the option of one or two bedrooms. ’We look forward to a long-term collaboration with Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Through its unparalleled service delivery, The St. Regis Mumbai provides an uncompromising experience to its guests ’ the global business travelers, connoisseurs of the good life, and aficionados of art and culture,’ added Atul Ruia, Founder and Joint Managing Director, Phoenix Mills Ltd and Director Pallazzio Hotels & Leisure Ltd. Amit Bhosale, Executive Director, ABIL Hospitality Pvt Ltd. and Director, Pallazzio Hotels & Leisure Ltd. said, ’This is our fourth hotel in association with Starwood Hotels & Resorts. We feel that it’s a great opportunity to introduce the legendary brand’s bespoke services and programs to the well-heeled travelers of today and tomorrow. Mumbai is emerging as a world-class travel destination, presenting the perfect setting for the St. Regis brand.’ The author is Assistant Editor of BW Hotelier.