Starwood Hotels & Resorts, the US-based hotel operator, will open its 1000th hotel in 2009.

The opening is part of the company’s plan to open 100 hotels this year across the world.

Starwood said it ‘remains on-track to expand its portfolio by more than 40% in the next five years.’ Its pipeline consists of more than 400 hotels – 60% of which are outside of the United States.

Simon Turner, president of global development at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, said: ‘By working closely with our development partners, we are able to open high calibre, best-in-class hotels around the world, even during challenging economic times.’

Its boutique brand, W Hotels, will triple its portfolio in the next three years opening 13 properties this year in markets including Barcelona, Bali, Doha and Santiago, as well as Atlanta, South Beach, Hollywood and Washington D.C.

Its Sheraton Hotels & Resorts will open 18 hotels in locations including San Juan, Puerto Rico; Istanbul, Turkey; Prague, Czech Republic; and Qiandao, China.

Its Westin Hotels & Resorts brand will open 11 hotels this year and its Aloft brand will double its 17-strong portfolio in 2009 with openings in Houston; Phoenix; and Abu Dhabi, UAE, among others.