Katara and Starwood representatives after inking the deal.
Qatar’s Katara Hospitality has acquired Westin Excelsior Rome from Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide as part of its strategy to expand its global footprint.
As part of the deal, the historic hotel will be renovated in the next five years, including a top-to-bottom transformation of all guestrooms, as well as upgrades to the hotel’s public areas, and continues to be operated by Starwood Hotels & Resorts under a new long-term management agreement.
The Westin Excelsior Rome, which is a five-star hotel in the celebrated Via Veneto district, is made up of 281 guest rooms and 35 suites and also consists of an indoor pool and health and fitness centre.
Sheikh Nawaf bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani, chairman of Katara Hospitality, signed the agreement with Michael Wale, President — Europe, Africa, and Middle East Starwood Hotels & Resorts.
The acquisition brings Katara Hospitality’s portfolio of properties in operation or under development to 35 and marks its third property in Italy. The announcement further builds on Katara Hospitality’s partnership with Starwood Hotels and Resorts, with the Westin Excelsior Rome representing the second hotel in Italy and the third hotel globally including Sheraton Doha Resort and Convention Center in Qatar.
Katara Hospitality — which currently owns properties spread across three continents in Qatar, Egypt, Morocco, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Singapore and Thailand — has 34 properties in operation or under development within its portfolio and is now focused on adding another 26 properties by 2026.
“This agreement marks our third property in Italy. The Westin Excelsior Rome is the epitome of what Katara Hospitality looks for in a hotel,” Sheikh Nawaf said, adding “the hotel is a welcome addition to our growing global portfolio of iconic properties, and we are delighted to be continuing to set the standard for luxury hospitality the world over.”
“We look forward to working together on the continued success of The Westin Excelsior, an architecturally stunning property and one of the most iconic hotels in Rome,” according to Wale.
Hamad Abdulla al-Mulla, chief executive of Katara Hospitality, said: for more than a century, this legendary hotel has provided exceptional hospitality and hosted dignitaries and celebrities, as well as business and leisure travellers.
“This transaction, on the heels of our recent sales of The Phoenician, Element Denver Park Meadows and The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Venice has allowed Starwood to exceed our stated goal of completing $800mn in asset sales by the end of 2015,” Adam Aron, interim chief executive of Starwood said.
