Big Is Better for Meetings/Convention Market: Sheraton Reflags One Hotel, Reopens Another
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- There's a "big story" at Sheraton Hotels and Resorts as the global hotel giant gains strength in two important markets this week. Today, Sheraton will reflag a hotel in North Carolina and, on tomorrow, will reopen one in Germany. These two moves position Sheraton as the meetings market leader in two key regions with the biggest ballroom in Munich and third largest in the USA.
The Sheraton Greensboro Hotel at Four Seasons in North Carolina joins the Sheraton family, providing Sheraton with the largest convention hotel between Atlanta and Washington, DC. Formerly a Holiday Inn, the hotel has an unparalleled 250,000 square feet of meeting space and 40,000-square-foot ballroom. The following day, the ArabellaSheraton Grand Hotel Munich reopens after an $85 million* top-to-bottom renovation (funded by the Schorghuber Group of Munich, which owns the hotel) that has transformed the hotel into an elegant, world-class property.
"Sheraton has long been a leader in the meetings market, and these two strategic additions to the brand will help us continue the dominance in that arena," says Randy Kwasniewski, executive vice president for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., which owns the Sheraton brand. "Whether a site is needed in Europe or in the USA, Sheraton is ideally positioned and can host even the largest meeting or convention."
Organizers of large functions will now have a single supplier for all their meeting needs. The 644-room ArabellaSheraton Grand Munich provides groups with a 10,753-square-foot ballroom and an additional 21 meeting rooms. Add the 430-room ArabellaSheraton Bogenhausen, conveniently located across the street, and groups needing 1,100 rooms and 40 function rooms are easily accommodated, thanks to the additional 19 meeting rooms in a separate conference center connected to the hotel.
Sheraton is focusing on the future with its hotel technology. At the ArabellaSheraton Grand Munich, guests can hold satellite conferences from meeting rooms and transfer data or presentations from one meeting room to another instantly. The hotel also offers Smart Meeting Rooms with ISDN/modem docking stations and touch panel technology for control of lights, curtains, microphone and audio visual components.
Every guest room in the Munich hotel has three telephones including a cordless extension that can be used throughout the hotel; voice mail; modem/ISDN connections; a fax machine with e-mail option, printer and copier function; and TV internet access via remote control or infrared buttons.
The Sheraton Greensboro Hotel also will be positioned as one of the industry's most advanced meeting and convention facilities, thanks to fiber optic cable that provides high speed Internet access to all guestrooms and meeting rooms. A meeting room can be secured or a conference schedule reviewed through this in-room technology. Guests may even review their bills and check out using the television remote control. Business travelers will also find high-speed Internet connections as well as color photocopier, administrative assistance and other services in the hotel business center.
The focal point of the ArabellaSheraton Grand Munich is the 7,000-square-foot lobby with its dramatic, three-story glass atrium, featuring a show-kitchen restaurant and piano cafe. Guests can dine in the hotel's gourmet restaurant, Die Ente vom Lehel; sample a Bavarian beer and cuisine at Paulaner's, try one of the 170 grappas under a gold-leaf dome at the Cafe & Grapperia or sample a cocktail created by world champion bartender Herkules Tsibis at Ducktails - Die Bar.
Relaxation will be easy, too, thanks to a spacious "well-being" center with an indoor pool, sunbathing lawn, fitness center and beauty treatments including sauna, steam bath, whirlpool and solarium.
A variety of room choices are available including 60 decorated in Bavarian style, some with wooden floors and four-poster beds. An exclusive "hotel within a hotel" is provided with 98 Towers rooms, providing extra pampering and service for guests. For those who prefer a "working room," there are 60 "Smart Rooms" with oversized desks, ergonomically designed desk chairs and the latest in office and technical equipment.
Koury Corporation, owners of the Sheraton Greensboro Hotel at Four Seasons, has completed a renovation of 500 guestrooms including two floors in the high-rise tower. Elegance is the theme on the 27th and 28th floors where suites feature 13-foot ceilings, whirlpool tubs and a separate living area with conference table.
Recognizing the different dining interests of guests, the hotel has something for everyone, from the "meat and potatoes" crowd to the more health conscious. Joseph's Restaurant features 100% certified Angus steaks and an exceptional wine list. A trendy sushi bar can be found at Stinger's Bar & Grill, and healthy juices or decadent desserts are the "order of the day" at the Juice Bar & Dessertery. To work off those calories, the hotel has a health club and an outdoor heated pool.
More information on the Sheraton Greensboro Hotel at Four Seasons or the ArabellaSheraton Grand Munich is available from any travel agent or Starwood sales office, or may be obtained by calling the toll-free reservations number (800-325-3535) or visiting the hotel web site:
Sheraton, which is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., has more then 375 hotels in 66 countries. Starwood, through its St. Regis, Luxury Collection, Westin, Sheraton, Four Points and W brands, is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 700 hotels in 80 countries and 120,000 employees at its owned and managed properties.
* Converted from at today's exchange rate of .4994.