Starwood and Macao’s biggest hotel opens to public

At nearly 4,000 rooms, it is the largest hotel in Starwood’s global portfolio and the biggest hotel to open in Macau.

Consisting of two sleek towers overlooking the dazzling Cotai Strip development, the hotel is home to the world’s largest Sheraton Club Lounge, a main ballroom the size of more than 11 basketball courts, more than 160,000 square feet of meeting space, three signature restaurants, and three outdoor pools with poolside cafes.

The opening coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Sheraton brand and widens Starwood’s lead in Asia Pacific, where it is the largest operator of four and five star hotels and on track to reach more than 320 hotels by 2014.

“The opening of Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Central represents an historic milestone for Starwood, for Sheraton, and for the hospitality industry as a whole,” said Frits van Paasschen, president and chief executive officer of Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

“Boasting unparalleled brand recognition and a rich legacy in Asia Pacific, Sheraton is the ideal fit for this spectacular new hotel in Macau, as the brand continues to lead Starwood’s growth in the region,” Paasschen added.

“We proudly welcome the world-renowned Sheraton brand to the Sands Cotai Central integrated resort,” said Sheldon Adelson, chairman, Las Vegas Sands and Sands China Ltd.

“The development of the Cotai Strip, from a muddy swampland to the glittering center of tourism and leisure that stands before us today, represents a vision realized for the company,” said Adelson.

Sheraton currently operates 95 hotels in Asia Pacific and expects to reach nearly 150 hotels by 2016.

Propelled by the strength of the Sheraton brand, Asia Pacific is Starwood’s fastest-growing global market. Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Central is the second Starwood hotel to open in Macau, a leading destination for leisure, meetings, incentives and entertainment.

“The new Sheraton in Macau will add even more excitement to the rapidly developing Cotai Strip – the latest world’s gathering place with rich cultural identity, vast entertainment options and the world’s hottest gaming market, generating four times the revenue of Las Vegas,” said Stephen Ho, President, Asia Pacific, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

“Starwood’s strength across Asia Pacific highlights our first mover advantage, the strength of our brands and the meaningful relationships we have fostered with our developers, partners, and guests ever since we debuted Sheraton in China in 1985,” Ho said.  

According to Edward Tracy, president and chief executive officer of Sands China Ltd, Macau was well on its way to establishing itself as Asia’s number one destination for business and leisure travelers.

“Sheraton guests are now at the absolute center of the best offerings on the Cotai Strip at Sands Cotai Central, with pathways to adventure, fun and fortune all within reach – exquisite dining, duty-free shopping, world-class entertainment events, gaming excitement and the biggest and best meetings and conventions,” said Tracy.

Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Central is part of Sands Cotai Central, Macau’s newest, fully integrated resort and a premier shopping, dining and entertainment destination on the Cotai Strip. Easily accessible by air, land and sea, Macau was visited by 13 million tourists in the first half of 2012, with the majority coming from mainland China.

Macau has surpassed Las Vegas as the world’s biggest casino market since 2006 and is the only place in China where casino resorts are legal.

The construction of Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Central would help boost the Macau economy and provided locals with a wide range of career opportunities.