Sheraton Will Debut In Bentonville, AR
JUNE 30, 2009 - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announces plans to open its first hotel in Bentonville, Arkansas, a dynamic city with a bustling business community. Scheduled to begin welcoming guests in August of 2011, Sheraton Bentonville Plaza is controlled by FBE Limited LLC. The upcoming opening of Sheraton Bentonville Plaza is part of the Sheraton brand's revitalization campaign, a multi-year effort which is now 80% complete. Since 2007, Sheraton has invested more than $2 billion in hotels, $1.5 in renovations and over $400 million in signature brand initiatives.
"We are delighted to extend the Sheraton brand to Bentonville, a city recognized for its healthy business environment and wealth of outdoor recreation," said Hoyt Harper, Senior Vice President, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts. "Sheraton facilitates community and instills a sense of belonging in its guests by providing them with spacious accommodations, signature services and updated technologies that make it easy to stay connected."
The Sheraton Bentonville Plaza will occupy a prime location directly across the street from the corporate headquarters of Wal-Mart and Sam's Club. The hotel development will expand on FBE's existing real estate holdings in Bentonville, including Bentonville Plaza, a nine-story office building located on an adjacent parcel. FBE plans to partner in the construction of the hotel with Redwood Capital Advisors, LLC, which is also providing assistance in obtaining the construction financing.
The newly constructed property will offer 234 spacious guest rooms, 6,500 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting space, and an interactive environment where guests can stay connected while on the road. Sheraton Bentonville Plaza will be a key part of the premium mixed-use development spanning 15 acres, which currently includes upscale offices and showroom space for companies and suppliers of Wal-Mart. When completed, the development will also feature additional office buildings, as well as a variety of restaurants and shops.
The primary target market for Sheraton Bentonville Plaza is the individual business traveler and small meetings in association with the commerce generated by Wal-Mart. The hotel will also serve the influx of visitors expected upon the completion of Crystal Bridges, a world-class museum of American Art, opening in 2011. In addition to expanding access to art, cultural and learning resources, Crystal Bridges will spur the continued economic development of Northwest Arkansas by drawing an anticipated 250, 000 tourists each year. Guests at Sheraton Bentonville Plaza will also enjoy convenient access to the new, John Q. Hammons Convention Center and the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport. Nearby recreation includes a choice of championship-quality golf courses, sports venues, and water sports including kayaking, rafting, and canoeing at Beaver Lake.
The heart of the hotel's energetic and interactive lobby will be the Link@SheratonSM experienced with Microsoft. This signature lobby lounge is both a physical and a virtual space, enabling guests to stay connected, work and socialize through free Wi-Fi and Internet-enabled computer stations, video-chats, televisions and daily newspapers. The hotel will also feature 6,500 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting space and an indoor-pool. The hotel will also feature a new, state-of-the-art Sheraton Fitness center developed in partnership with Core Performance, an organization that trains elite athletes and Olympians and is dedicated to providing breakthrough solutions to help individuals achieve their maximum performance.
The hotel's warmly decorated guest rooms will feature an expansive work area and the signature Sheraton Sweet SleeperSM Bed - a nine-layer custom-designed ensemble boasting an exquisitely comfortable, plush mattress, fluffy down and hypoallergenic pillows, crisp cotton sheets and signature blanket and duvet.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
