Starwood scores first deals with island since 1959

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide said on Saturday it has signed three hotel deals in Cuba, a first for a US hospitality company since 1959 on the island.

Starwood said two of the hotels would open later this year and that it had signed a letter of intent for a third.

"We are confident Starwood is the right partner to help write the next chapter of relations between Cuba and American business, and we moved quickly and enthusiastically to pursue opportunities following recent government actions," said Kenneth Siegel, Starwood's chief administrative officer and general counsel.