Starwood Signs Hotel de Bahia in Salvador, Brazil

Starwood has partnered with GJP Hotéis & Resorts to expand its Sheraton brand in Brazil.

Sheraton da Bahia Hotel will be located in Salvador, one of the most important tourist destinations in the country.

The 284-room Hotel da Bahia is currently undergoing a meticulous renovation that will preserve the charms and jewels of the historic building, such as the façade with its beautiful tiles and prominent works of art, including the grand murals by Genaro de Carvalho picturing local festivities from Bahia, protected by the IPAC - Institute of Arts and Cultural Heritage of Bahia State since 1981, as well as three other large murals by renowned Argentine artist Carybé, especially commissioned for the hotel picturing scenes from the Brazilian lifestyle located in the hotel's lobby area.

The hotel is scheduled to re-open to its full splendor by Q1 2013, and will be operated by local hotelier GJP Hotéis & Resorts under a franchise agreement.

"This is a historic time for the Sheraton brand. Starwood has invested billions of dollars in renovating iconic properties and bringing the brand to the most important places in the world," said Hoyt Harper, Global Brand Leader for Sheraton Hotels. "Brazil is now a powerhouse economy whose prominence around the world will be permanently established with the upcoming World Cup and Olympic Games, and Sheraton is thrilled to expand its presence there during these exciting times."

When it reopens as Sheraton da Bahia Hotel in Q1 2013, it will feature 284 guest rooms, including 16 suites, all featuring the brand's signature all-white Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed and an exclusive Sheraton Club Lounge.

The heart of the lobby will feature the brand's Link@Sheraton experienced with Microsoft - Sheraton's social hub. The hotel will also offer two restaurants, the brand's signature Sheraton Fitness programmed by Core Performance with a spacious work out space, a 1,938 square feet spa with a salon and sauna, swimming pool, business center, and a large meetings and event facility comprising more than 27,000 square feet of flexible space with capacity for over 400 people.

The hotel is located in the city center and has direct access to Sete de Setembro Avenue, a major roadway that connects the city.

Starwood currently operates seven properties in Brazil under the Sheraton and Four Points by Sheraton brands. Sheraton da Bahia Hotel will be the 6th Sheraton in Brazil marking another important step in the brand's global expansion plan to reach a milestone of 500 Sheraton properties by 2015. A 7th Sheraton, Starwood's 9th property in the country, is scheduled to open by Q1 2014, the Sheraton Reserva do Paiva Hotel and Conference Center in Recife.

Salvador, Brazil

Salvador is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in Brazil, and is considered one of the country's most important ports and international trading centers.

Salvador the capital of the state of Bahia has a rich history and was declared World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1985. Thanks to its notable cultural attractions, cuisine, music, beaches and architecture, Salvador is today the second largest tourist destinations in Brazil, after Rio de Janeiro.

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