STAMFORD, Conn. – April 25, 2016 – Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced it has reached an agreement with Easton’s Group of Hotels to open the second Element Hotel in the Greater Toronto Area and renovate Four Points by Sheraton Toronto Airport . The eight-story Element Toronto Airport will open in summer 2018 adjacent to the seven-story Four Points Toronto Airport , which will remain open throughout the 5 million CAD renovation.

“We are delighted to expand our portfolio in Toronto in partnership with Easton’s Group of Hotels,” said Allison Reid, Senior Vice President of North American Development for Starwood. "Element Toronto Airport will offer a bright, energizing environment, great design and everything guests need for smart, sustainable living, while the freshly renovated Four Points will appeal to today’s modern travelers with its emphasis on approachable design and stylish comfort.”

The recent acquisition of Four Points Toronto Airport and upcoming opening of Element Toronto Airport represent the second and third Starwood hotels in Easton’s Group of Hotels’ portfolio, joining The Westin Bristol Place Toronto Airport, which is under renovation now.

“Starwood’s Four Points and Element brands are both highly regarded by global travellers and will be excellent additions to our portfolio of world-class hotels in Canada,” said Dr. Steve Gupta, President and CEO of Easton’s Group of Hotels. “Toronto is an important gateway market and renovation of the Four Points, paired with a new Element hotel, will offer travellers two more compelling choices within close proximity to both the airport and downtown.”

“The Four Points Toronto Airport is a beautiful hotel with a great offering, and the new Element hotel will be the perfect complement,” said Reetu Gupta, Chief Operating Officer of Gupta Group/Easton’s Group. “Element offers spacious living for travellers on the go, a majority of hotel business at the airport, and Starwood has done a fantastic job building this brand, as a lifestyle hotel with the warmth of home.”

Both Element Toronto Airport and Four Points Toronto Airport will act as a strong anchor on the western strip of the airport. The newly constructed Element Toronto Airport will offer 144 light-filled rooms with a fluid design of modular furniture, fully equipped kitchens, the signature Heavenly® Bed and spa-inspired bathrooms. A recognized industry leader in the eco-space, Element offers travelers a fresh interpretation of the traditional hotel experience with natural light, modern design, healthy options and eco-minded sensibilities. Amenities will include fast and free WiFi, complimentary bikes to borrow, the healthy Rise breakfast and the Relax evening wine reception.

Four Points Toronto Airport will complete a comprehensive renovation by December 2017 to include a top-to-bottom transformation all 204 guestrooms, business center, bar, restaurant and pre-function meeting rooms. The project will also result in upgrades to the porte cochere and all public areas, including the hotel’s 10,000 square feet of meeting space. Four Points Toronto Airport will be directly connected to the newly constructed Element Hotel and will share a common lobby, indoor pool, fitness facility, bar lounge, restaurant and meeting rooms.

Ideally located across from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Terminal 3 and Monorail station, Four Points Toronto Airport is close to major highways and the International Centre, Hershey Centre, Toronto Congress Centre, Woodbine Racetrack, Woodbine Shopping Centre and downtown Toronto.