Above: renderings of the Aloft Panama

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Starwood’s Aloft brand will be opening an Aloft Panama hotel in 2013 as part of an expansion in the Latin American region, the company announced this week.

Aloft Panama will be built in two phases. The first, 126-room phase will open in 2013, with the second phase, an additional 186 rooms, set to open in 2016.

“This is an exciting time in Latin America as we continue to see economic growth, rising personal incomes and a growing middle class,” said Osvaldo Librizzi, co-president of the Americas, Starwood Hotels and Resorts. “The expansion of Aloft into these key markets is yet another milestone in our overall development strategy and is an important step in strengthening our position as the leading hotel operator in Latin America.”

It will be located across from the Atlapa Convention Center in Panama City.

“The Aloft brand is a key part of our aggressive expansion strategy in the region,” said Ricardo Suarez, Vice President of Development & Acquisitions for Starwood in Latin America. “When Aloft premiered in Latin America, it made a bold statement by providing a true alternative to the existing select service products in the marketplace. We’ve seen strong guest and developer demand for this brand and its momentum clearly demonstrates that the region is ready for the next-generation Aloft hotel experience.”