23 Feb 2016
Unlocking new destinations for the MICE market
Melbourne, Australia, 23 February 2016 – Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc (NYSE: HOT) continues rapid expansion across the Pacific with a series of new openings, impressive renovations and a strong pipeline.
“Starwood's Pacific portfolio is growing at a rapid rate with no signs of slowing down in 2016. Along with a number of significant refurbishments which are currently underway, we will continue to expand our footprint with new signings in both cities and resort destinations, providing the MICE community with new and exciting venues and world class facilities,” said Ashley Hansen, Starwood Hotels & Resorts' Regional Director of Sales & Marketing and Starwood Sales Organisation, Pacific.
PACIFIC PORTFOLIO CONTINUES TO EXPAND
Starwood Hotels & Resorts currently operates 18 hotels in the Pacific with an additional eight hotels in the pipeline.
Looking ahead to 2017, the Four Points by Sheraton brand will debut in Melbourne with the opening of Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands. Located in the lively Docklands area in the Marina Tower Complex, the hotel will feature 269 guest rooms and 558 square metres of flexible meeting space; perfect for small to medium sized events.
The first Aloft hotel will also open in Australia in 2017 when Aloft Perth Rivervale opens its doors. Located just ten minutes from Perth Airport, the hotel boasts five conference rooms totalling 551 square metres and an additional rooftop function space.
The Westin Perth will also open the same year, providing a unique convention destination with over 1,200 square metres of event space and 300 luxury guest rooms.
W Hotels will return to Australia in 2018 with the opening of W Brisbane. Located at the western end of the central business district, overlooking the Brisbane River, W Brisbane will feature 305 stylish guestrooms and over 960 square metres of event space.
The Westin Brisbane will also open in 2018, featuring 286 guest rooms with sweeping views of the river and city skyline. A short walk from Central Station on Mary Street, the hotel will be an ideal setting for functions, boasting more than 667 square metres of meeting and event space, as well as a 24-hour business centre.
NEW WATERFRONT CONVENTION SPACE OPENS JUNE 2016
In June 2016, Four Points by Sheraton Sydney, Darling Harbour will open the doors to 3,700 square metres of new convention and exhibition space. Offering a total of 21 meeting rooms, the highlight of the new convention centre will be two pillarless ballrooms, offering capacity for 2,100 people in theatre style seating. The ballrooms will feature natural light and sweeping, uninterrupted water views of Sydney's Darling Harbour. Additionally, the meeting space will also include spacious breakout areas, meeting rooms and dedicated pre-function space. The development launch will also include the opening of a new, stylish lobby restaurant and bar.
The redevelopment of Four Points by Sheraton Sydney will later see the opening of 222 new guest rooms in August 2016. Housed in the third tower development, the additional guest rooms will take the hotel's inventory up to 892 rooms, offering a comprehensive venue for event planners looking for an option with accommodation on site.
SHERATON IN PORT DOUGLAS COMPLETES PHASE ONE OF EXTENSIVE REFURBISHMENT
Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort is part way through an extensive renovation that will see a total of AUD$40 million invested towards improving the guest experience and returning this property to its former glory.
Earlier this month, the hotel revealed the newly renovated guestrooms, marking the completion of phase one of the refurbishment project. The 291 Mirage Resort Rooms, Lagoon Rooms and Lagoon Studio Suites represent the resort's sophisticated yet relaxed persona, featuring warm tones complemented by crisp, fresh textures and furnishings. The resort has also created 41 new Lagoon Edge Rooms and 12 Lagoon Edge Studio Suites. Guests staying in these rooms have the added luxury of being able to access the resort's lagoon swimming pools direct from their private balconies.
The final phase of the renovation project, which is scheduled for completion in June 2016 will see the new look and feel continue through to the resort's public spaces with a fully refurbished lobby, new lobby café-bar and lounge. The resort is also revitalising its food and beverage offering, with the creation of a new buffet dining experience Feast Restaurant, which will overlook the resort's vast swimming lagoons.
For business travellers, the resort hotel will offer fully renovated conference and meeting spaces, which can cater for events from 20 to 1,000 people at a selection of state-of-the-art indoor/outdoor venues, including the unique Glade Pavilion - north Queensland's largest resort conference facility.
SECOND SHERATON FOR SAMOA
April 2016 will see the launch of Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey's Hotel & Bungalows. The newly refurbished hotel will join Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey's Resort & Spa, which opened in January 2015, as the only internationally branded properties in Samoa.
Located on the Island of Upolu, the hotel is situated in one of Samoa's most iconic historical buildings in a stunning waterfront location in the centre of Apia; Samoa's largest commercial hub and capital. Traditional Samoan architecture meets modern design across the 175 spacious guest rooms, bungalows and relaxing suites, all designed with comfort in mind. The hotel will also offer a fresh water swimming pool and lap pool, Sheraton Fitness centre, a signature restaurant and bar and a full service casino.
Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey's Hotel & Bungalows will present an array of options for the MICE community, from facilities for small executive meetings to spaces catering to large social gatherings. Event planners will be able to choose from 1,900 square metres of spectacular indoor and outdoor venues, including an impressive ballroom and a range of versatile meeting or breakout rooms. All meeting spaces, the largest of which is 465 square metres, will feature high speed internet access and advanced audio visual equipment.
NEW LOOK & FEEL FOR LE MERIDIEN NOUMEA
Le Méridien Noumea Resort & Spa has completed an extensive AUD$36 million refurbishment, resulting in a floor to ceiling transformation of the property's 207 guestrooms and 22 new suites, and public spaces. Completed in time for Le Méridien Noumea's 20th anniversary in October 2015, the renovations included a brand new custom-designed Deep Nature Spa and upgrades to the resort's facilities as well as its 1,000 square metres of contemporary conference and events space.
For event planners looking for a striking Pacific island location, Le Méridien Noumea boasts five naturally-lit meeting spaces, including a large ballroom, and a beachfront restaurant that can seat 150 people. Offering a versatile and inspiring option for any event, the resort's meeting spaces are complemented with indoor and outdoor pre-function areas and state-of-the-art meetings technology. A dedicated conference and events team is on hand to provide ongoing support to ensure all meetings, events and conferences are a success for both business guests and planners.
SPG PRO DOUBLE DOUBLE
Members of SPG Pro, the first loyalty program of its kind to reward meeting and travel professionals, can earn double Starpoints® and double eligible nights towards elite status when they book events at any of Starwood's 10 brands worldwide between 1 September 2015 and 30 June 2016, with arrival dates between 1 September 2015 and 31 December 2016.
Here's how it works:
- Earn 2 Starpoints® for every US$3 of eligible revenue spent on meetings/events
- Earn 2 eligible nights towards elite status for every 20 group room nights
Promotion terms and conditions are available at www.spg.com/double.
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About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 1,270 properties in some 100 countries and over 180,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences under the renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Tribute Portfolio™, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, Element®, along with an expanded partnership with Design Hotels™. The Company also boasts one of the industry's leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG®). Visit www.starwoodhotels.com for more information and stay connected @starwoodbuzz on Twitter and Instagram and facebook.com/Starwood.
Media Contact:
GTI Tourism on behalf of Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Lizzy Chadwick
Phone: 02 9028 3596
