Starwood Expands into Resort Market of Taiwan with Signing of the First International Resort in Yilan County, Taiwan
Sheraton Yilan Resort, Taiwan, is Scheduled to Open in June 2006
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. | Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc (NYSE: HOT - News) and Ilan Sky Line Entertainment Company have announced a franchise agreement to operate the first international resort, the Sheraton Yilan Resort, in Yilan County, Taiwan. The newly built 180-room Sheraton Yilan Resort is scheduled to open in June 2006.
"With a consistent high level of economic growth over the past few years which is forecast to continue, Taiwan offers good opportunities to tap into the resort market for both domestic and international travelers," stated Miguel Ko, President, Starwood Asia-Pacific. "Starwood currently operates three hotels in Taiwan under the Sheraton, Westin and Four Points by Sheraton brands and the signing of Sheraton Yilan Resort further consolidates our position as the largest upscale international hotel company in Taiwan," added Ko.
Yilan, a county situated on the northeast coast of Taiwan, is consistently ranked one of the best places to visit in Taiwan, given its picturesque landscape, hot springs and waterfront retreats, attracting on average three million visitors annually to the county. Yilan is currently a three-hour drive from the capital city of Taipei. With the completion of a new expressway linking Yilan and Taipei in early 2006, visitors will be able to travel from Taipei to Yilan in just over one hour.
The Sheraton Yilan Resort will be situated in a breathtaking mountainous setting with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, Yilan city, scenic landscapes and tea plantations. The resort will feature 180 rooms, over 14,000 square feet of meeting and function space, eight dining outlets, a health club and spa, 39 Oriental and family hot spring houses as well as an indoor swimming pool.