Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has introduced Sheraton Grand, a new premier tier that recognizes exceptional Sheraton hotels and resorts for their enticing destinations, distinguished designs, and excellence in service and guest experiences. The first ten Sheraton Grand properties span from Bangalore, Beijing, Dubai and Edinburgh, to Miyazaki, Seoul, Taipei, Bangkok, Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro. By year end, Starwood expects to have 50 newly-designated Sheraton Grand hotels around the world with plans for 100 by early 2017.

“Sheraton is Starwood’s largest and most global brand, and as we continue our work to firmly keep Sheraton in the spotlight, we recognize the need to better match guest expectations for the brand around the world,” says interim Starwood CEO Adam Aron. “Sheraton Grand celebrates our standout hotels and helps us further reinforce Sheraton as a trusted voice in global travel.”

The Sheraton Grand designation signifies an exemplary hotel offering for both guests and local communities, with hallmarks including convention properties and urban hotels that offer unrivaled standards of service, dynamic guestrooms and public spaces exhibiting sophisticated design and elevated finishes, desirable and sought-after locations, impressive hotel amenities, including top-rated restaurant concepts and renowned chefs, superior gyms, unique Sheraton Club lounges, and an array of idyllic spa options, and inspiring and state-of-the-art function space for events, meetings, and conferences

“We expect many of our Sheraton hotels to achieve the Sheraton Grand designation, and we will work with our owners to open new Sheraton Grand hotels or renovate existing properties to ensure a consistent and exceptional experience in our new premier tier,” says Sheraton global brand leader Dave Marr. “The worldwide network of Sheraton Grand will promote growth and lure more high-end travelers for the Sheraton brand globally, and we look forward to welcoming 100 Sheraton Grand hotels by early 2017.”

Many of the first Sheraton Grand properties can be found in Asia Pacific, include Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel – Brigade Gateway, Sheraton Grand Beijing Dongcheng Hotel, Sheraton Grand Hotel Dubai, Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, Sheraton Grande Taipei Hotel, Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay Hotel, and Sheraton Grande Walkerhill in Seoul. www.starwoodhotels.com