Starwood Capital Group has announced the promotion of Arash Azarbarzin to CEO of its subsidiary, SH Hotels & Resorts. Azarbarzin, who previously served as the company’s president, succeeds Starwood chairman and CEO Barry Sternlicht as CEO of SH Hotels & Resorts. (Sternlicht will remain involved with the organization as chairman.) The SH portfolio includes the 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotels, and Treehouse Hotels brands.
With more than 30 years of industry experience, Azarbarzin has held leadership roles with St. Regis Hotels, W Hotels, and Four Seasons Hotels. He was also a founding member at SBE Hotel Group.
“I am delighted to promote Arash to the role of CEO of SH Hotels & Resorts to help lead the growth of the company and its brands across the world,” Sternlicht says. “Over the last year, the industry has experienced tremendous upheaval and Arash has shown steady leadership and helped position us for a bright future. I am confident that under his leadership, we will continue to see significant increases in guest satisfaction, build excellence in SH Hotels & Resorts, as well as true advocacy for our overall mission of sustainability in everything we do.”
Azarbarzin holds a degree in hotel and restaurant management from United States International University and is also a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park. He is a member of the board of directors for the American Hotel & Lodging Association, as well as the AMAALA Development Advisory Board.
