Island of Hokkaido Is the Site for Japan's Fourth Sheraton: The Sheraton Sapporo Hotel

Press Release: Sheraton Hotels & Resorts

September 10, 1999
WHITE PLAINS, NY -- A hotel in one of Japan's best-loved vacation destinations has been added today to the portfolio of Sheraton Hotels & Resorts. Sheraton, the largest brand of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., will manage the Sheraton Sapporo Hotel on Hokkaido, Japan's second largest island.

The hotel is owned by Toei Kabushiki Kaisha, a company with ownership interests in a wide range of businesses including textile, retail, automobile and cable television. This strategic addition brings the total number of Sheraton hotels in Japan to four. Sheraton's sister brand, Westin Hotels & Resorts, also has four properties in Japan.

Formerly known as the Shin Sapporo Palace Hotel, the 515-room Sheraton Sapporo is one of only two international hotels in the city. The property is conveniently located adjacent to the Shin Sapporo JR Station, making it convenient for travelers arriving by train, and for those arriving by air, who can take advantage of an express train that runs from the airport.

"We are very proud to have been appointed to manage this hotel under the Sheraton brand," said Ted Teng, president, Asia-Pacific for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. -- Hotel Group. "With our extensive global sales and marketing network, Sapporo will immediately be brought to the attention of customers throughout Japan and around the world. We also look forward to introducing our new marketing programs and technological systems at the hotel.''

Although Hokkaido has a manufacturing base that attracts corporate travelers, it is most popular as a vacation destination, thanks to the ideal location and natural beauty of the mountains, unspoiled forests and pristine lakes complemented by the famous Japanese traditional spas (or "onsen") and Hokkaido-style cuisine.

The Sheraton Sapporo offers a traditional Japanese-style wellness spa and a choice of five restaurants: two Japanese, one Chinese, one French and one all-meal cafe), as well as two bars and meeting facilities.

Sapporo also attracts weddings, and, to cater to the market, the hotel offers western and Japanese-style facilities including a chapel style hall, a "Jinja" Japanese-style ceremony room, a wedding salon and a photo studio. The Sheraton Sapporo has ample banquet space, including four Japanese-style "tatami" rooms. To add to the romance, every guestroom offers a view of either the forest or the city.

The largest city on Hokkaido, Sapporo is popular in the summer for its cool mountain retreats and in the winter for its skiing, winter sports and "Sapporo Snow Festival," an international event attracting participants and visitors from around the world. Festival participants are famous for their creativity in chiseling larger-than-life size carvings out of immense ice blocks.

"We are very happy to have such a prestigious international brand name as Sheraton for our hotel," said Hiroshi Matsuyama, President of Toei Kabushiki Kaisha. "It is important for us to be part of an international network and the Sheraton brand will be able to place us on the world map," he added.

"The Sheraton Sapporo Hotel is a fine addition to the group of Sheraton hotels in Japan, which includes the Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay, Kobe Bay Sheraton Hotel & Towers and the Yokohama Bay Sheraton Hotel & Towers," said Akio Hirao, managing director of business development, for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. "We are able to offer travelers a good choice of Sheraton hotels in Japan, whether they are on business or leisure," he added. Sheraton Hotels & Resorts feature Starwood Preferred Guest, the hotel industry's most rewarding frequent travel program. Starwood Preferred Guest members can earn points and redeem awards at St Regis, Luxury Collection, Westin, W, Sheraton, and Four Points properties - more than 600 hotels in 62 countries. Starwood Preferred Guest features no blackout dates, no expiration of points, the fastest way to a free night and the easiest way to a free flight. Travelers can enroll, check their account and redeem awards through the Starwood Preferred Guest's website, www.preferredguest.com.

Sheraton Hotels & Resorts has more than 370 hotels in 62 countries and is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., through its St Regis, Luxury Collection, Westin, W, Sheraton and Four Points brands, has more than 700 hotels in 76 countries with 135,000 associates and is one of the world's leading hotel and leisure operating companies.

SOURCE: Sheraton Hotels & Resorts