WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., May 10, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) global powerhouse, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, announced today that based on the success of its recent $6 billion revitalization effort, 230 of its hotels and resorts ratings have been re-evaluated and upgraded by Travelocity. As part of a three-year overhaul, Sheraton removed more than 60 hotels that did not meet the brands improved standards, opened 79 new hotels and resorts, renovated more than 120 hotels and rolled-out 300 new lobbies across its global portfolio.
"We have spent the last few years renovating and rebuilding one of the hotel industry's most iconic brands and we're proud that people are taking notice and discovering a brand new Sheraton," said Hoyt Harper, global brand leader for Sheraton Hotels. "By adding stunning new flagships, renovating existing hotels, enhancing our signature services and exiting properties that were not up to par, we've vastly upgraded the Sheraton brand."
As part of a multi-year make-over, Sheraton has invested more than $4 billion in new hotels, renovations and signature brand initiatives in North America and another $2 billion in new hotels overseas. Highlights include:
"We're truly impressed with the extensive, high-quality enhancements made to the Sheraton hotels whose star ratings increased," said Noreen Henry, senior vice president global partner services, Travelocity. "The new ratings were driven by the large investment the brand has made to guestrooms, renovation of public spaces and more."
Starwood has spent the last few years renovating and rebuilding one of the hotel industry's most iconic brands and the multi-billion dollar investment is already paying off with measurable success. The brand is gaining market share, RevPAR continues to rise, guest satisfaction scores are the highest in the brand's history and likelihood to return, likelihood to recommend and meeting planner and associate engagement scores are also at all-time highs - signaling that guests are taking notice and rediscovering the new Sheraton.
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, like all brands within Starwood's robust portfolio, is proud to offer the Starwood Preferred Guest(R) program, which made headlines when it launched in 1999 with a breakthrough policy of no blackout dates on Free Night Awards. SPG(R) offers members the ability to redeem awards at more resorts, more luxury properties, more European hotels and more golf properties than any other hotel program.
Sheraton helps guests make connections at more than 400 hotels in 70 countries around the world and recently completed a $6 billion global revitalization and is now in the midst of a $5 billion global expansion over the next three years. Sheraton is owned by and is the largest and most global brand of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1,051 properties in 100 countries and territories with 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis(R), The Luxury Collection(R), W(R), Westin(R), Le Méridien(R), Sheraton(R), Four Points(R) by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft(R), and Element SM. The company boasts one of the industry's leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.
SOURCE: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts makes it easy for guests to explore, relax and enjoy the possibilities of travel through smart solutions and effortless experiences at more than 440 hotels in more than 72 countries around the world.