Sheraton(R) Hotels & Resorts Partners with Microsoft to Keep Guests Connected on the Road
Microsoft Products and Services Will Keep Guests Connected at
Sheraton's Newly Branded Signature Communications Hub: "Link at
Sheraton Experienced with Microsoft"
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--(Business Wire)--
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts and Microsoft Corp. announced today a
partnership to implement products and services at the "Link @
Sheraton," its signature communications hub rolling out in Sheraton
lobbies this year. Under the agreement, Sheraton will also co-brand
and rename the space "The Link @ Sheraton experienced with Microsoft."
The partnership is one component of a comprehensive effort to enhance
and differentiate the guest experience at Sheraton's 408 hotels across
75 countries, currently rolling out globally.
Sheraton's Link is a unique virtual and physical lobby lounge
space that meets the needs of Sheraton's core guests by enabling them
to work, relax and remain connected with friends and family during
their travels. It offers a unique and convenient online experience,
including free Wi-Fi and Internet-enabled computer stations, to allow
guests to email, search the Web, review local attractions and even
print up boarding passes. Through its relationship with Microsoft, the
new, enhanced "Link @ Sheraton experienced with Microsoft" will offer
Windows-based computers providing visitors with search, maps, email
and information. In addition, many Link computers will also feature
webcams, allowing guests to have free video-chats or email video
postcards back home. Guests will also have access to televisions,
daily newspapers, and food and beverage offerings.
"Our guests are intent on making the most of their travels and
we're confident this new partnership with Microsoft will enable
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts to provide them with the products, services
and tools to keep them connected to what matters most while on the
road," said Hoyt H. Harper, II, Senior Vice President for the Sheraton
brand. "The Link reflects Sheraton's commitment to deliver popular,
unique and unexpected offerings to our guests and is an exciting
pillar of Sheraton's comprehensive effort to further differentiate our
iconic brand."
"Today's traveler is part of a connected digital community, with
instant access to information and technology for work, entertainment
and social networking," said Sandra Andrews, U.S. hospitality industry
director, Microsoft. "With 'Link @ Sheraton experienced with
Microsoft,' Sheraton and Microsoft are helping forge the convergence
of the digital lifestyle and work-style in the experiences offered to
this new breed of guest."
Currently 66 Sheraton properties around the world feature The
Link. Under the Microsoft agreement, Sheraton will roll out the
co-branded "The Link @ Sheraton experienced with Microsoft" at more
than 300 properties worldwide by the end of 2008.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading
hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 850
properties in more than 95 countries and 145,000 employees at its
owned and managed properties. Starwood(R) Hotels is a fully integrated
owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the
following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis(R), The Luxury
Collection(R), Sheraton(R), Westin(R), Four Points(R) by Sheraton,
W(R), Le Meridien(R) and the recently announced Aloft(SM) and
Element(SM) Hotels. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation
Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high
quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information,
please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.
(Note: This press release contains forward-looking statements
within the meaning of federal securities regulations. Forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and
involve risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause
actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated
at the time the forward-looking statements are made. These risks and
uncertainties are presented in detail in our filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Although we believe the
expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based
upon reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our
expectations will be attained or that results and events will not
materially differ. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or
revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.)
Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Nadeen Ayala, 914-640-8259
or
Dan Klores Communications
Julie Horn, 212-981-5221
Copyright Business Wire 2008
