Hospitalilty
With at least 20 hotel openings scheduled to take place this year, luxury hotel brand Sheraton is on track to reach its 500th hotel by 2016, fueled by strong global demand, especially in the Asia-Pacific
Sheraton will open at least 20 new hotels by year’s end, entering Sri Lanka and Romania for the first time later this year.
The hotel chain opened its first hotel in Tajikistan in 2014 and its first hotel in Samoa in February 2014.
“Boasting the largest and most global portfolio of all of Starwood’s brands, Sheraton expects to open more than 50 hotels and enter another 14 countries by the end of 2018,” says Hoyt Harper, Global Brand Leader for Sheraton Hotels and Resorts.
“This continued expansion follows our multi-billion dollar investment to enhance the brand over the past several years. Sheraton has enjoyed phenomenal success with global travellers due to its dynamic brand-led programming and innovative social spaces that engage and inspire guests to connect with what matters most—no matter where they are in the world.”
China Rising
More than one-third of new hotels will be opened in the Asia Pacific. Already the largest high-end hotel brand in China, Sheraton will open 33 new hotels in the country over the next 4 years.
The company will open additional properties in first tier cities such as Beijing and Shanghai while moving into second-tier cities and resorts such as Huzhou in Zhejiang province, a 90 mile drive south of Shanghai.
I attended a press function at the Huzhou Sheraton Hot Spring Resort last year and was blown away by the spectacular architecture, the luxurious facilities, and the attention to detail.
The hotel overlooks Lake Hu, one of China’s most famous lakes, and fisher families has actually been employed to sail junks in the waters of the lake offer ‘ambience’!
In addtion to the 3 restaurants, the 2 lounges, the spa, and the other facilities that you would expect at the 5 star resort, there was an adjoining hot spring centre – one of the largest in the country.
“Sheraton holds firm in helping to widen Starwood’s lead as the largest upper upscale and luxury hotel operator in Asia Pacific, including China, accounting for nearly 46% of the company’s rooms in the region,” says Simon Turner, President of Global Development for Starwood.
“Building on its ‘first-mover’ legacy, Sheraton has facilitated the development of meaningful, long-term relationships with owners and developers in mature and emerging markets not only in Asia Pacific, but in all corners of the world, paving the way for the further development of all of Starwood’s high-caliber brands.”
Sheraton is also adding to its portfolio of high end hotels and resorts in Africa, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Russia, and South Asia.
Sheraton currently had more than 400 hotels in nearly 70 countries around the world. The brand is owned by Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, which has more than 1,200 properties in nearly 100 countries