The global hotel icon Sheraton ushers in three decades of operations in China with the grand opening of its first Starwood property in Yunnan – the Xishuangbanna Yuntou Sheraton Hotel.
As the largest and most globally recognized hotel brand under Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Sheraton maintains its strong momentum in China and continues its journey toward the milestone of 500 global hotels.
Xishuangbanna, March 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) celebrated the grand opening of the Xishuangbanna Yuntou Sheraton Hotel and the 30th anniversary of Sheraton Hotels & Resorts in China. Sheraton is the largest and most globally recognized hotel brand under Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, offering guests exceptional experiences across more than 430 hotels in nearly 70 countries. The brand continues to grow steadily and is on track to reach its goal of 500 global hotels by 2016. Sheraton’s success in China has been a major driver behind this global milestone. Over the past 30 years, 67 Sheraton hotels have opened in China, with more than 40 additional properties currently in the pipeline.
(From left to right) Mr. Zhao Hui, a loyal Sheraton employee; Mr. Wang Weishen, Senior Director of Brand Management for Asia Pacific at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide; Mr. Qian Jin, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Greater China; Mr. Cai Delai, General Manager of the Xishuangbanna Yuntou Sheraton Hotel; and Mr. Rao Jinping, a Starwood SPG Club Platinum member, attended the celebration of Sheraton Hotels & Resorts’ 30th anniversary in China at the newly opened Xishuangbanna Yuntou Sheraton Hotel.
The iconic global hotel brand Sheraton Hotels & Resorts celebrates its 30th anniversary in China with the grand opening of its first Starwood property in Yunnan – the Xishuangbanna Yuntou Sheraton Hotel.
China’s First International Five-Star Hotel Chain Brand
In 1985, the opening of Beijing Sheraton Great Wall Hotel marked Sheraton as the first international five-star hotel chain to enter China. Since then, over 40% of Sheraton hotels in China have become the first international premium hotels in emerging markets such as Guilin, Xi'an, Haikou, Ningbo, Xiamen, and Shantou.
"Sheraton has become an iconic brand in China, establishing itself as a household name among international premium hotels through its pioneering role in market development," said Mr. Qian Jin, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Greater China. "On this 30th anniversary, we would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the employees, guests, and owners who have been with us along the way. Sheraton will continue to innovate and deliver exceptional guest experiences to meet the growing demands of China’s thriving domestic tourism market."
More milestones ahead30Year
Meanwhile, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts welcomes the grand opening of the Xishuangbanna Yuntou Sheraton Hotel in the scenic Gasa Tourism Zone of Yunnan Province. This landmark move kicks off the 30th anniversary celebrations of Sheraton’s presence in China. The Xishuangbanna Yuntou Sheraton Hotel is the first international brand hotel in the region to feature on-site hot springs and also marks Starwood’s official entry into Yunnan Province. This year, Sheraton will also open its third property in Beijing and fifth in Shanghai. Additionally, Sheraton will enter five new markets including Bengbu, Chuzhou, Zhanjiang, Harbin, and Zhuhai.
To celebrate 30 years in China, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts will launch a series of promotional offers including accommodations and dining experiences in the coming months.
Meeting the Needs of Diverse Domestic Travel Segments
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, together with its partners, actively develops premium resort hotels that cater to the varied needs of both business and leisure travelers. These include hotels with world-class meeting facilities such as the Sheraton Futian Hotel in Shenzhen and the Sheraton Pudong Hotel & Towers in Shanghai, as well as urban hotels in second- and third-tier cities like the Sheraton Jinan Hotel and the Sheraton Changsha Yunda Hotel. The portfolio also features destination resorts.
Currently, Sheraton operates 16 resort hotels in Greater China, making it the international hotel brand with the most high-end resort properties in the country..Notable Sheraton resort properties already in operation include the Huzhou Sheraton Resort, a new landmark in Huzhou; urban leisure resorts such as the Sheraton Dameisha Resort in Shenzhen and the Sheraton Huadu Resort in Guangzhou; specialty resorts like the ski-focused Changbai Mountain Marriott Sheraton Resort; and the Sheraton Sanya Resort, the brand’s first resort in China. Five more are under development and expected to open within the next three years, including the Diqing Sheraton Resort, the Sanya Tufuwan Sheraton Resort, the Sheraton Xiangshan Resort in Ningbo, the Sheraton Xishan Resort in Beijing, and the Sheraton Taihu Resort in Suzhou.
Continuous Innovation for the Best Guest Experience
Sheraton has always been at the forefront of innovation, continuously creating the best guest experience. Since becoming the first hotel chain to go public on the New York Stock Exchange in 1949, Sheraton has achieved nearly ten industry firsts, including launching the first free hotel reservation telephone service in 1970 and introducing the “Unwind @ Sheraton” concept in 2006. This initiative encourages guests to socialize, work, or relax in the lobby rather than feeling isolated in their rooms, offering complimentary Wi-Fi and internet surfing.
In 2014, Sheraton and its owners invested $120 million globally to expand and upgrade Sheraton Executive Lounges, resulting in a 125% increase in Executive Lounge reservation rates. The lounges offer complimentary breakfast, Wi-Fi, all-day snacks, and beverages, helping guests stay connected.
Additionally, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts has appointed 350 Executive Club Managers worldwide to enhance the Executive experience, including 62 in China. These managers provide personalized services to elevate the Executive Lounge experience.
Cultivating Local Talent for China’s Hospitality Industry
As the largest Starwood brand in China, Sheraton has made significant contributions to developing local talent in China’s hospitality industry. Mr. Qian Jin himself started his career at Sheraton. In 1986, he was appointed Deputy General Manager of the former Hua Ting Sheraton Hotel, beginning his journey in the Starwood group. He also became the first Chinese general manager of an international brand hotel in China. Another notable alumnus is Mr. Ho Kwsiong, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific, who was part of the founding team of the Beijing Sheraton Great Wall Hotel.
Currently, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide employs 45,000 people in China, over half of whom have worked at Sheraton hotels, and 64% of hotel general managers have previously held positions at Sheraton.