Sheraton to Open Seven Hotels in China This Summer

Starwood's Sheraton brand is to open seven more hotels in China before the end of September 2011.

In the next two years, nearly half of all new Starwood hotels slated to open in China will fly the Sheraton flag. This summer, Sheraton will  open its second hotel in Beijing, its second in Xian, and its first in Chongqing, Yantai, Guangzhou, Zhenjiang, Wanning and Hangzhou.

 With the addition of these seven hotels, Sheraton will grow its portfolio to 42 hotels in China by year's end, moving Starwood closer to its goal of operating 100 hotels in China by the end of 2012.

China will play an outsized role in global travel over the next decade, with 100 million outbound travelers expected by 2015. China also  continues to be the richest source of new loyal travelers for Starwood, as evidenced by the 71% jump in Chinese enrollment in Starwood Preferred Guest last year. Starwood's first-mover advantage in China dates back to 1985 with the landmark debut of The Great Wall Sheraton Hotel in Beijing, the first international branded hotel in China.

"The rich legacy of the Sheraton brand in China has given Starwood a considerable head start in this fertile market, where we now have 74 hotels flying eight of Starwood's nine brand flags and another 90 in development," said Miguel Ko, Chairman and President of Starwood's Asia Pacific Division, a Chinese native who began his career with Starwood in 1979. "We attribute our success in China to our longstanding native Chinese teams plus our strong relationships with local owners who recognize the tremendous benefits of joining the Starwood network."

Sheraton Xian North City Hotel will open in a convenient location outside the North Gate of the city wall near the city's numerous  corporate and government offices. The second Sheraton in Xian, Sheraton Xian North City Hotel will offer 491 guest rooms, more than 18,000 square feet of meeting facilities and three restaurants. One of the four ancient capitals of China with more than 3,000 years of history, Xian is the capital of Shaanxi Province and an important economic, cultural and educational center. Sheraton Xian North City Hotel will be close to both the train station and the Xian Xianyang International Airport, and convenient to Xian's many temples, historical monuments, ruins and museums.

Sheraton Beijing Dongcheng Hotel will open on Beijing's north Third Ring Road in the heart of the city's transportation network. The new hotel will feature 441 guest rooms and a variety of international cuisine at its four restaurants, as well as more than 25,000 square feet of meeting and function space. Guests will enjoy convenient easy access to Tiananmen Square, Financial Street, Forbidden City and the Great Wall. Sheraton Beijing Dongcheng Hotel will be the second Sheraton in Beijing, where the brand first debuted more than 25 years ago.

Sheraton Zhenjiang Hotel, located in the heart of the city, will be just steps from a variety of upscale shopping and entertainment. It will be the first Sheraton in Zhenjiang and will feature 289 guest rooms and suites, indoor pool, fitness center, spa, several restaurants and more than 33,000 square feet of meeting facilities. Zhenjiang is an important transportation hub within Jiangsu province and one of China's busiest port cities.

Sheraton Shenzhou Peninsula Resort will offer a prime beachfront location on Hainan Island to the southeast of Wanning City. Marking the Sheraton brand's debut on Hainan Island, Sheraton Shenzhou Peninsula Resort will feature 307 rooms, more than 9,000 square feet of meeting space, a Shine Spa for Sheraton, and swimming pool surrounded by tropical gardens. Known as the "Hawaii of the East", Hainan Island offers a variety of outdoor recreation including golf, fishing and water sports.

Sheraton Hangzhou Wetland Park Resort will be set in a picturesque location in the Yangtze River Delta on China's southeastern coast. The first Sheraton to open in Hangzhou, Sheraton Hangzhou Wetland Park Resort will offer 383 guest rooms, more than 12,000 square feet of meeting space, three restaurants and a spa. One of China's seven ancient capitals, Hangzhou is the current capital of Zhenjiang Province and is known for its breathtaking landscapes and wealth of historic sites. Guests will enjoy proximity to Hefang Street, a pedestrian street lined with shops and teahouses, museums and numerous corporate offices.

The 445-room Sheraton Guangzhou Hotel will be located in the heart of Guangzhou's Tianhe central business district and will be part of Tee Mall, the leading commercial and shopping complex in the city. The hotel is located just steps from the newly renovated Guangzhou Sports Centre.

The Sheraton Guangzhou Huadu Resort will open in Beixin Town in the northeastern part of Huadu city in China's Guangdong Province. The resort will feature more than 100 deluxe rooms,  villas, and suites. The brand new resort will sit at the Li Zui Reservoir, surrounded by picturesque mountains and lakes. The hotel is located 45 minutes by car from downtown Guangzhou, and 15 minutes from Huadu and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN).

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