Opening Marks the Debut of the Iconic Sheraton Brand, as well as Starwood's First Hotel, in Jiaozhou, Shandong Province
STAMFORD, Conn., July 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced the opening of the Sheraton Jiaozhou Hotel, the first Sheraton branded hotel, as well as the first hotel managed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts, in the new district of Jiaozhou, near Qingdao city in Shandong province. Owned by Qingdao Greentown Jiaozhou Bay Real Estate Development Company, the hotel is part of Starwood's expansion plan, introducing its differentiated world class lifestyle brands, in second and third tier cities across China.
"Sheraton debuted in Beijing as the first international brand hotel in China and we are very excited that Sheraton Jiaozhou Hotel is the first international brand hotel in Jiaozhou," said Hoyt Harper, Global Brand Leader for Sheraton Hotels. "Sheraton's impressive global pipeline is being fueled by phenomenal demand in China with 12 new Sheraton hotels slated to open across this fast-growing market by year's end driven by strong demand in second and third tier cities."
The hotel assumes a prominent place in the economic development of the area, drawing upper-upscale business and leisure travelers to Jiaozhou and the Qingdao area.
"The opening of Sheraton Jiaozhou Hotel enhances the strategic positioning of the Jiaozhou New District," said Mr. Bi Ming Guang, Assistant General Manager of Qingdao Greentown Jiaozhou Bay Real Estate Development Company. Conveniently located across from city hall, the hotel offers easy access to the city's transportation network, including Qingdao's Liuting International Airport and Qingdao city center; shopping and entertainment venues; and famous attractions such as the Badaguan Scenic Area.
Sheraton Jiaozhou Hotel boasts 270 comfortable, contemporary guest rooms, including 31 suites that feature the brand's signature amenities including the all-white Sheraton Sweet Sleeper® bed, designed to meet AAA's Five Diamond Award® criteria. Each room also offers a flat screen LCD TV, generous work area, and signature bath amenities. The highlight of the hotel lobby is the brand's Link@Sheraton® experienced with Microsoft® - the signature social hub where travelers can stay connected with instant access to information and technology for work, leisure and social networking.
The hotel enhances the guest experience via a range of healthy lifestyle options, including the newly launched Sheraton Fitness programmed by Core Performance®. The Shine Spa™ for Sheraton will pamper guests with a luxurious spa experience and signature treatments. Sheraton Club guests enjoy use of an exclusive lounge on the 25th floor, the perfect place to relax, socialize and enjoy upgraded amenities, as well as complimentary breakfast, beverages and evening hors d'oeuvres.
A skilled culinary team oversees a range of cuisines, including Cantonese and regional favorites at YUE® Chinese Restaurant and international fare at Feast™, the all day dining restaurant. The lobby lounge provides cocktails, coffee and other drinks in a casual and comfortable atmosphere.
Additionally, Sheraton Jiaozhou Hotel is well equipped for meetings, banquets, and events. The 2,131-square meter space features state-of-the-art audio-visual facilities. A dedicated event and catering team is also on hand to plan and execute every detail, ensuring the event's success.
About Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
Sheraton helps guests make connections at more than 400 hotels in 70 countries around the world and recently completed a $6 billion global revitalization and is now in the midst of a $5 billion global expansion over the next three years. Sheraton is owned by and is the largest and most global brand of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1103 properties in 100 countries and territories with 154,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Meridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft®, and Element SM. The company boasts one of the industry's leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.
