Starwood Hotels & Resorts Introduces Sheraton Grand

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) introduced Sheraton Grand, a new premier tier that recognizes exceptional Sheraton hotels and resorts for their enticing destinations, distinguished designs, and excellence in service and guest experiences. Starwood revealed the first ten Sheraton Grand properties, which span from Bangalore to Beijing, Dubai to Edinburgh, Miyazaki to Seoul, Taipei to Bangkok, and Tokyo to Rio de Janeiro. By year end, Starwood expects to have 50 newly-designated Sheraton Grand hotels around the world with plans for 100 by early 2017. Sheraton Grand is one of many initiatives currently underway for Sheraton 2020, a comprehensive plan designed to solidify Sheraton as a leading global hotel brand of choice, everywhere.

Sheraton is Starwoods largest and most global brand, and as we continue our work to firmly keep Sheraton in the spotlight, we recognize the need to better match guest expectations for the brand around the world, said Adam Aron, Starwood CEO on an interim basis. Sheraton Grand celebrates our standout hotels and helps us further reinforce Sheraton as a trusted voice in global travel.

Showcasing the Best of the Sheraton Brand around the World
The Sheraton Grand designation signifies an exemplary hotel offering for both guests and local communities, with hallmarks including:
Resorts, convention properties, and urban hotels that offer unrivaled standards of service and outperform guest satisfaction benchmarks
Dynamic guestrooms and public spaces exhibiting sophisticated design and elevated finishes
Desirable and sought-after locations ranging from primary city settings to spectacular beachfronts
Impressive hotel amenities, including top-rated restaurant concepts and renowned chefs, superior gyms, unique Sheraton Club lounges, and an array of idyllic spa options
Inspiring and state-of-the-art function space for events, meetings, and conferences

We expect many of our Sheraton hotels to achieve the Sheraton Grand designation, and we will work with our owners to open new Sheraton Grand hotels or renovate existing properties to ensure a consistent and exceptional experience in our new premier tier, said Dave Marr, Global Brand Leader, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts. The worldwide network of Sheraton Grand will promote growth and lure more high-end travelers for the Sheraton brand globally, and we look forward to welcoming 100 Sheraton Grand hotels by early 2017.

As Sheraton Grand formally launches worldwide, the tier will also encompass a number of existing properties that historically list Grand or Grande in their title and also demonstrate the best of the brand.

A Grand Welcome
As part of the burgeoning network, the first Sheraton Grand hotels represent the high-touch elements synonymous with the new elevated tier:
Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel - Brigade GatewaySituated in a landscaped 40-acre neighborhood in India's IT capital, the property features a luxurious infinity pool, panoramic views of the adjacent Brigade Lake, and stately guestrooms that blend sophisticated earth tones with plush fabrics.
Sheraton Grand Beijing Dongcheng Hotel in the heart of Beijings business district, the hotel offers impressive culinary experiences, an array of spectacular function space totaling more than 25,000 square feet, commanding views of the famous Bird's Nest and Water Cube stadiums, and easy access to historical attractions, such as the Great Wall.
Sheraton Grand Hotel Dubaia 54-story beacon on the citys popular Sheikh Zayed Road, the first Sheraton new-build in Dubai in more than 30 years features a rooftop pool, a spa spanning more than 10,000 square feet with stylish treatment facilities, a glamorous ballroom sitting beneath striking chandeliers, and refined guestrooms with stunning views of the citys landmarks.
Sheraton Grand Edinburgh Hotel with an enviable city-center location, the hotel has dramatic views of Edinburgh castle, and is home to an award-winning spa with a lavish infinity pool, as well as a vibrant restaurant serving an inventive menu of British dishes and drinks, including more than 60 premium varieties of gin.
Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel & Resortthe only beach-front hotel in Rio de Janeiro, the resort features stunning views of the citys towering mountains, landmarks and tropical surf, and boasts an extensive spa with ocean views, fully remodeled guestrooms and suites, and a variety of dining options, including the award-winning Letoile, overseen by renowned French chef Jean Paul Bondoux.
Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort the award-winning golf resort boasts panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean; 10 restaurants and bars offering guests a variety of dining experiences, including Tatsuya Kawagoe Miyazaki operated by celebrity chef Tatsuya; a dual-personality cocktail bar that shifts dcor from morning to night; and a chic full-service spa.
Sheraton Grande Sukhumvitan iconic address in the heart of Bangkok, this majestic hotel features a wide variety of exquisite suites surrounded by tropical gardens, award-winning restaurants, a rejuvenating spa that serves as a sanctuary of stillness and a dramatic free-form pool nestled by lush gardens.
Sheraton Grande Taipei Hotela cultural oasis in the heart of Taipei that offers magnificent restaurants catering to all palates, more than 25,000 square feet of unparalleled function space, and outstanding recreational facilities that include a squash court, modern fitness center, palatial massage parlor, and a reinvigorating sauna.
Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay Hotel an official hotel of Tokyo Disney Resort, the property boasts lush on-site gardens, scenic waterfront vistas and soothing waterfalls in the heart of Japans capital, making itself the perfect family getaway with use of hydroponic farming to produce unforgettable meals, and onsite gardens inclusive of premium sports and arcade facilities such as Treasures! Island and Namco Land Game Arcade.
Sheraton Grande Walkerhill designed to highlight the natural surroundings of the Han River and forest paths sheltered by Acha Mountain, the property offers a glittering casino, three floors of world-class luxury shopping and a seasonal camping area where guests can barbeque.

Achieving a Sheraton Grand Stature
Sheraton Grand follows several other recent announcements under the Sheraton 2020 plan, including the introduction of the new imaginative Paired lobby menu, the richest SPG promotion in the history of Starwood, and the launch of the brands new visual identify and re-designed website, Sheraton.com. A nod to the plans clear five year vision, Sheraton 2020 also includes a new $100 million Sheraton-focused marketing campaign; continuous innovation of the Sheraton guest experience; an unwavering commitment to service excellence; the implementation of revenue and profit-driving initiatives to benefit owners and developers; and a goal of opening more than 150 new Sheraton hotels worldwide by 2020.