Starwood Hotels & Resorts has announced a return to Okinawa, Japan with a debut for the group’s Sheraton brand.
The company has signed a management agreement with Sunmarina Operations Co Ltd, a division of Ishin Hotels Group, to operate the beachfront Sheraton Okinawa Sunmarina Resort.
It is expected to open in mid-2016 after a conversion and an additional 45 rooms are being added in early 2017 with the construction of a new tower.
"Starwood is thrilled to be re-entering Okinawa with its most iconic brand, Sheraton," said Lothar Pehl, senior vice president, operations and global initiatives for Starwood.
"Sheraton is set to add more than 150 new hotels globally by the year 2020, and the signing of Sheraton Okinawa Sunmarina Resort underscores the brand’s accelerated growth trajectory."
It will feature a contemporary design with a total of 245 rooms including 18 sea view suites.
It will also house meeting and event space, a large outdoor pool, a marina, fitness facilities and spa.
"Okinawa is ever-popular with local and international visitors, and has evolved into a highly sought-after beach resort destination for increasingly affluent global travellers. Our partnership with Starwood will allow us to cater to travellers’ needs while raising the bar for Okinawa’s upper-upscale hospitality offerings," said Michael Nigitsch, CEO of Ishin Hotels Group.
