Sheraton Hotels & Resorts Heads To The Spring City Of China

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(News Source: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide)

(SHANGHAI, CHINA) -- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announced today that Sheraton Hotels & Resorts will make its debut in the capital of Shandong Province on China's east coast with a 445-room Sheraton hotel in Jinan. 

"Sheraton Jinan Hotel will be an exciting addition to the Sheraton brand's growing international footprint in the world's most exciting cities and emerging destinations, including hotels in New York, California, Puerto Rico, Virginia, Beijing, Shanghai, Macau, Taiwan, Incheon and Okinawa," commented Qian Jin, Senior Vice President of Operations, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, China & Taiwan. 

"Sheraton Jinan Hotel is a logical extension of Sheraton's growth in China, following the signings of Sheraton Beijing Dongcheng Hotel and Sheraton Huadu Resort. Jinan, the capital of Shandong - a significant coastal province in East China, has evolved into an important administrative, economic, and transportation hub. We are excited about the tremendous opportunities and demand for the Sheraton brand in China's Spring City." added Qian.

Scheduled to open in September 2009, Sheraton Jinan Hotel will offer 445 rooms and suites, 4,300 square meter of meeting space, four food and beverage outlets, a health club, spa, gift shop, a business center and an indoor heated pool. Located 20km from Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport, the hotel will also be part of a mixed-use complex consisting of the hotel, office buildings and retail shops, located inside the East New Town, Lixia District, which is developed as Jinan's new commercial, residential and leisure sport center. The highly anticipated 2009 China's 11th National Games will take place in Lixia District where four indoor & outdoor stadiums, new Jinan City Hall & Government Office, upcoming retail and residential zones will all be built in this district.
 
Jinan, being the road and rail transportation hub of Shandong is located at the intersection of two major railways: the Jinghu Railway running in the north-south direction from Beijing to Shanghai and the Jiaoji Railway that connects Jinan to the sea port of Qingdao in the west. Jinan has been renowned for its lakes and springs, including Daming Lake and The First Spring under Heaven. Other exciting sights include Qufu, the birthplace of the ancient philosopher, Confucius, and Mount Tai, the best of the Five Sacred Mountains of China.

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