Meeting News - February 25, 2008 - (Page 10)

Hotels & Resorts Luster Remains Brightly Polished for Starwood Company announces ambitious growth plans; Sheraton enhancements in the works White Plains, NY—The stars are shining brightly for Starwood Hotels & Resorts. The company opened its 900th hotel this month and revealed that its active pipeline includes 500 hotels totaling 120,000 rooms. Shortly after that revelation, Starwood announced plans for two upgrades to its Sheraton brand. The company said it is making more than 300 Sheraton and Four Points by Sheraton hotels throughout the United States, Caribbean, and Canada smoke-free by year end. That healthy upgrade comes on the heels of a brand-wide improvement of Sheraton’s in-room amenities. Starwood expects to add 80 to 100 hotels to its portfolio this year; up by more than 50 percent from the number it opened in 2007. In North America, Starwood plans to open 50 hotels, and it will boost its Asia-Pacific portfolio by more than 70 percent during 2008. In Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, more than 10 new hotels will open this year and close to 50 by 2012. “Our lifestyle brands and innovations have struck a chord with the hotel development community,” said Raymond Gallein, president of Starwood’s global development group. “In 2008, we expect healthy expansion, as our established upper-upscale and luxury brands expand in markets where we are currently under-penetrated, while our newest select-service brands, such as aloft and Element, gain traction.” Meanwhile, about 8,000 Sheraton and Four Points guest rooms are undergoing an extensive cleaning to become smoke-free; the hotels will also institute the policy in public areas. The move follows a smoking ban instituted across Starwood’s Westin chain in 2006, which was the first such effort. “We are committed to the health and quality of life of our guests and associates,” said Hoyt Harper II, senior vice president for Sheraton Hotels & Resorts and Four Points by Sheraton. “Our core customers are road warriors, and we want to provide them with a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere.” Sheraton guests will also enjoy their rooms more this year following a change in signature in-room amenities. Those now include Bliss Spa bath products as well as coffee from Starbucks—as well as tea. The Sheraton brand is comprised of 408 hotels across 75 countries. The upgrades are rolling out brand wide. Edited by Rayna Katz rayna.katz@nielsen.com Location, Location, Location: Vegas Meetings Get New Harrah’s Options Las Vegas—Las Vegas Meetings by Harrah’s Entertainment has introduced a new program whereby groups can use a host of alternative venues within the company’s properties, and apply the expenditures on their events toward their contracted food and beverage minimums. The seven Vegas properties under the Harrah’s flag—Bally’s Las Vegas, Caesars Palace, Flamingo Las Vegas, Harrah’s Las Vegas, Imperial Palace, Paris Las Vegas, and Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino—offer more than 140 restaurants and nightclubs, providing various atmospheres. At Caesars, for example, groups can meet at Guy Savoy, a fine French restaurant with a 75-seat dining room as well as a private and two semi-private dining rooms that, combined, can host up to 58 people. The VooDoo Lounge, at the Rio, has two outdoor patios 500 feet above the Las Vegas Strip, for up to 750. “Before, we said,‘You can have your guest rooms at Flamingo, your opening reception in the Skyview Ballroom at Bally’s, your lunch in the Paris’ Champagne Ballroom, and your closing in Caesars’ Augustus Ballroom,’” said Michael Massari, VP of meeting sales and operations. “Now you can have your opening at VooDoo Lounge at Rio, lunch at Mon Ami Gabi at Paris, and your closing party at PURE at Caesars Palace—and your spending will still help you achieve your minimum.” Meeting planners like this offer. “I can create a unique experience with the same ease as if I were working with just one property’s meeting space,” said event organizer Faith Ferguson, president of Faith Ferguson Productions, in Warwick, NY. www.meetingnews.com Meeting attendees will further enjoy Sheraton Hotels, such as the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers, following several brand-wide upgrades. The Monte Carlo is Already Rising Up from the Ashes Las Vegas—Following a fire in late January that ravaged the facade of its upper floors and forced the property to close, the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino was slated at press time to partially reopen on Feb 15. Executives with MGM Mirage, which 10 MeetingNews oversees the property, expected to reopen the resort with at least 1,200 rooms and pledged to bring another 1,300 into inventory by Feb. 22. The hotel’s remaining 500 rooms are on the top floors and will remain out of service during a redesign. Most guest services were slated to resume over President’s Day week- end, including the 25,780 sf of meeting space, casino, spa, and dining spots. Langham Hotels Sets its Sights on U.S. Expansion Kowloon, Hong Kong—Langham Hotels International is working to continued on page 11 February 25, 2008 http://www.meetingnews.com

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