Marriott Acquires Starwood and Forms the Largest Hotel Conglomerate in the World

With a price tag of $12.2 billion, Starwood Hotels is now in the hands of Marriott, thereby creating the largest hotel conglomerate in the world with over 5,500 hotels located in more than 100 countries.

Under the Starwood name are the hotel brands W, Westin, St. Regis, Le Meridien, Aloft, The Luxury Collection, and Four Points by Sheraton. With this agreement, these brands will join those operated by Marriott: Ritz-Carlton, Fairfield Inn, Marriott Courtyard, AC Hotels, and Bvlgari Hotels & Resort, among others.

In Spain, this transaction will impact a total of 17 luxury hotels including the Palace in Madrid, the Maria Cristina in San Sebastián, the W in Barcelona, and the Marqués de Riscal in Elciego.

This operation will take effect in mid-2016, and with it, Marriott will double its hotel capacity in the world.