Sheraton Qiandao Lake Resort in China is Starwood’s 1000th hotel
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has opened its 1000th hotel and resort, the Sheraton Qiandao Lake Resort in China.
President and CEO of Starwood Frits van Paasschen says: "We are delighted to welcome our 1000th hotel, and the fact that it is a Sheraton in China seems pre-destined. This hotel is emblematic of both our history and our bright future."
"As Starwood's largest and most global brand, Sheraton provided us early footholds in emerging markets, including China in the early 1980s when we were the first international hotel there. Today, Starwood is the world's most global hotel company - with plans to open 300 hotels in the next three to four years - and for the first time we have more hotels outside the US than inside. And there is no more fertile ground to grow than in China, where we plan to double our footprint to 100 hotels by 2012."
Beyond its 1000th hotel, Starwood expects to open 80 to 100 additional hotels this year, 70% of which will be outside the US, with the majority in Asia Pacific. In China, Starwood is slated to open more than 20 hotels this year. Growth is also accelerating in India where Starwood already has 26 hotels and plans to increase its portfolio by 60% by the end of 2012.
"Some expect that more than 70% of the world's growth over the next decade will come from emerging, or what we like to call 'fast-growing' markets, which is consistent with Starwood's global pipeline of new hotels and skew towards development in markets like China and India," explains Simon Turner, president of global development for Starwood. "By working with the right partners in the right places on the right properties, we are well poised to continue to lead the charge in growth throughout these critical markets."
The 250-room Sheraton Qiandao Lake Resort is located in Chun'an County of Hangzhou on the lakeshore of Qiandao Lake, a popular tourist destination. It features the brand's signature hotel lobby offering, the Link@Sheraton experienced with Microsoft. This lobby lounge gives guests instant access to information and technology for work, leisure and social networking.
The hotel is also introducing a new health and fitness program, Sheraton Fitness, Programmed by Core Performance, which includes a gym and healthy dining restaurant. This is created in partnership with Core Performance, a training and lifestyle brand. It will also feature the first Shine Spa by Sheraton in China, due to open in August 2010.
Other features of the hotel include 23 suites, including a 980m2 presidential suite; five lounges, bars and restaurants; Sheraton's signature all-white Sweet Sleeper bed; 1694m2 of meeting and convention space; and Club Lounge.
Sheraton Qiandao Lake Resort, like all hotels within Starwood's portfolio, is part of the Starwood Preferred Guest program launched in 1999.
Sorry, comments for this entry are closed at this time.