BERLIN—Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has signed the Sheraton Berlin Grand Hotel Esplanade.
The franchise agreement with Esplanade Operation GmbH, a subsidiary of Host Hotels & Resorts’ European joint venture, marks the conversion of the existing Grand Hotel Esplanade to a Sheraton hotel. The hotel continues to be operated by Event Hotel Group, which also holds a minority interest in the property.
The 394-room Sheraton Berlin Grand Hotel Esplanade has an all-day dining restaurant and a German-specialty restaurant, as well as Harry’s New York Bar and a lobby bar. Other facilities include a swimming pool and 12 meeting rooms.
Over the next several months, the hotel will unveil the Sheraton brand’s signature offerings including a Sheraton Club lounge, Link@Sheraton experienced with Microsoft and the brand’s health and fitness program, Sheraton Fitness.
“There are many conversion opportunities for new Starwood hotels throughout Europe in both established and emerging destinations, through both managed and franchised deals,” stated Bart Carnahan, SVP, acquisitions & development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East. “Berlin is the gateway to Central and Eastern Europe and this signing underscores our commitment to growth in the region.”
Sheraton Berlin Grand Hotel Esplanade is located close to the Kurfürstendamm shopping area, Potsdamer Platz entertainment district and Berlin's Tiergarten Park. The Nollendorfplatz underground railway station is a 10-minute walk from the hotel.
Starwood currently has 26 hotels in Germany, representing six of its nine lifestyle brands: The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Le Méridien, Four Points by Sheraton and Element. The Sheraton Berlin Grand Hotel Esplanade is the 11th Sheraton hotel in Germany, joining The Westin Grand Berlin in the German capital. The company recently introduced its Element brand with an opening in the Frankfurt International Airport and is set to debut the Aloft brand in Munich and Stuttgart in 2015.
