PwC Says 2005-2006 Had Largest Number Of Brand Intros

NEW YORK— Over the course of 2005 and 2006, 24 new hotel brands were formed in the U.S., the largest number of brand introductions for any two-year period since 1989, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers. The roster of new brands include non-U.S.-based brands that are now affiliating with hotels in the U.S., brands targeting Generation X and Millennials, independent brands, brands affiliated with established hotel companies and brands at mid-price levels. Ten of the new brands were introduced by new companies and one was a brand extension. Four of the nine brands introduced in 2006 targeted Generation X. The lineup of new brands includes luxury brands Waldorf-Astoria Collection (Hilton Hotels), Le Crillon (Starwood Capital), Blue (Taj Hotels & Resorts), Capella (West Paces Hotel Group), Gansevoort (Gansevoort Hotel Group), Graves Hotels (Graves Hotels and Resorts), LXR Hotels (WHM, LLC), Montage (Preferred Hotel Group), Solis (West Paces Hotel Group), Taj Hotels (Taj Hotels & Resorts) and Twelve Hotels (Novare Group). New upscale brands include Solage Hotels & Resorts (Auberge Resorts), James Hotels (Lifestyle Hospitality, LLC), Stay Social (LXR Luxury Resorts), Palomar (Kimpton Hotels), Alden Hotels (Alden Hotels), Aloft (Starwood Hotels & Resorts), Aqua Boutique Hotels (Aqua Hotels and Resorts) and Nylo (Nylo Hotels). New all-suite or extended-stay brands include Element (Starwood Hotels & Resorts), CitiStay Hotels (CitiStay Hotels, LLC), Cambria Suites (Choice Hotels), Extended Stay Deluxe (HVM, LLC) and Hyatt Place (Global Hyatt Corp.).