Starwood Hotels’ Sizzling Aloft Brand Arrives in Panama

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Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.® has recently announced that its rapidly expanding Aloft brand has arrived in Panama, one of the most important travel markets in the Americas. Aloft Panama is the fourth Aloft hotel to open in Latin America, since the brand made its debut less than two years ago. It is owned and operated by Nuevos Hoteles de Panama S.A. under a franchise agreement. Aloft Panama offers 139 spacious loft-like rooms, tech forward innovation and a buzzing, social atmosphere. By 2014, it will offer an additional 186 rooms as part of an expansion phase. Panama is one of the most dynamic travel markets in the Americas, with a high-demand of business travel and an increasing number of leisure tourism. Strategically, Panama is an important market for Starwood. Following this opening, Starwood will operate five brands in the country, including Aloft, Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton, Le Meridien and Westin, and will extend its footprint to eight hotels.

Aloft Panama is adjacent to Sheraton Panama and Convention Center and strategically located across the city’s ATLAPA Convention Center and is approximately 5 KM from downtown and the financial center, making it an ideal choice for savvy business travelers. Amenities include an outdoor SplashSM pool, W XYZsm bar, RE:FUEL by Aloft, its 24/7 pantry for self-service light meals and snacks with healthy options, and RE:CHARGE, Aloft’s 24/7 gym, and nearly 5,800 square feet of flexible meeting space ideal for both business meetings and social gatherings.

Pioneering initiatives in music, design, and technology have positioned Aloft as a must-have brand for the next generation of travelers. Aloft has reported consistently high guest satisfaction scores since launch, reflecting the success of its modern and vibrant design at an affordable price point.

The opening of Aloft Panama will mark Starwood’s fourth Aloft hotel in Latin America following the opening of Aloft Cancun, opened in July; Aloft San Jose, Costa Rica in 2012 and Aloft Bogota in 2011. Four more hotels are slated to open, including Aloft Guadalajara in 2013; Aloft Merida in 2014; and Aloft Montevideo and Aloft Asuncion in 2015.

Daniel Fountain / 03.10.2013

Editor, Hotel Designs

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Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

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Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

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