Sheraton.com Website Named Best Hotel in Its Class for Brand Experience According to an Independent Report

By: Sheraton Hotels | 0 Shares 124 Reads

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Jan 19, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced that Sheraton.com, the web site for Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, has been recognized as the best hotel website in its class for brand experience in the November 8, 2010 report, The Best Of Web Site Brand Experiences 2010 by Forrester Research, Inc. Forrester Research conducted an independent survey of fourteen consumer web sites in the hotel, automotive, and skin care industries to identify best practices. The survey reveals that Sheraton.com leads the hotel category in Brand Action and all categories in Brand Image ratings.

Forrester first conducted a Brand Action Review of each web site, focusing on the "transactional, informational and usability aspects" of the site. The report revealed that Sheraton.com's design has a "responsive interface" and utilized bullets to display hotel features in a clean, easy-to-read format.

Sheraton ranked the highest across all industries in the Brand Image category. Forrester makes note of Sheraton.com's "unique visual design" and use of a "distinctive color palette, differentiated typography, and superior production values" which offer a "visual experience that transitioned seamlessly from the company's online ads." According to the report, "Sheraton differentiated its site from more than just the competition - it did it across all groups." Through consistent messaging reinforced by visuals and descriptions the Sheraton brand values of "connecting" and "sharing" were very clearly recognized.

"We have spent $6 billion revitalizing the Sheraton brand, including an overhaul of Sheraton.com which was re-launched in 2009. It was our goal to create a consumer-friendly, easily navigated website that is a true reflection of our brand values - based on these survey results we've succeeded," said Hoyt H. Harper, Senior Vice President and Global Brand Leader of Sheraton Hotels & Resorts.

About Sheraton Hotels & Resorts

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 1025 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. 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.

###