Photo Courtesy of Twelve at Hengshan, Shanghai

Starwood Hotel's expansion into Asia continues to grow with the group set to open 20 new hotels in China in 2013. Currently, Starwood has 120 hotels in the country and over 100 forthcoming which makes China the company’s second largest market. Every 20 days, the chain plans to open a new hotel with many being in second and third tier cities. As the demand for luxury hotels in China continues, Starwood plans to grow as well by doubling its luxury footprint there.

"We continue to view China as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our business," said Starwood President and CEO Frits van Paasschen. "Whether it's growing our hotel footprint as part of the country's massive infrastructure development, or aggressively building our loyalty program in the world's fastest growing domestic and outbound travel market, we are focused on taking every advantage of our important first-mover position in China."