Brazil hotelier GJP Hotéis & Resorts will operate the Sheraton da Bahia Hotel in Salvador under a franchise agreement recently signed with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.
The hotel, which will reopen in the first quarter of 2013 after renovation, will be the sixth Sheraton property in Brazil; a seventh, the Sheraton Reserva do Paiva Hotel and Conference Center in Recife, is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2014.
Sheraton Hotels global brand leader Hoyt Harper said that Brazil is a powerhouse economy whose global prominence will be permanently established with the upcoming World Cup and Olympic Games, and Sheraton is excited to be expanding its presence there.
Starwood currently operates seven properties under the Sheraton and Four Points by Sheraton brands in the country.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Americas co-president Osvaldo Librizzi said, "This additional hotel in Brazil highlights our distinctive positioning in this fast-growing market and the strength of the Sheraton brand in the upper upscale hotel segment."
Sheraton da Bahia Hotel is currently undergoing renovation to preserve the historic building, including the tiles and artworks on the facade.
The renovated hotel will have 284 guestrooms, including 16 suites, and will feature Sheraton Club Lounge, two restaurants, the signature Sheraton Fitness centre, a 1,938ft² spa with a salon and sauna, a swimming pool, a business centre, and 27,000ft² of meeting and event space.
The conversion of Sheraton da Bahia Hotel follows similar developments of the Sheraton São Paulo WTC and the Sheraton Vitoria Hotel.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts vice president of acquisitions and development in Latin America Ricardo Suarez said, "Starwood is excited about the continued expansion of the iconic Sheraton brand in Latin America. Today, we have the largest upper-upscale footprint in the region with more than 30 Sheraton hotels in 11 countries.
"In 2013, we will continue to bring the brand to the most important cities in Latin America as part our aggressive expansion strategy."
