Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has opened the Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Central, the largest hotel to open worldwide so far in 2012. At nearly 4,000 rooms, it is the largest hotel in Starwood’s global portfolio and the biggest hotel to open in Macau so far. Located within the Sands Cotai Central Resort, the property features two towers overlooking the Cotai Strip development. It has the world’s largest Sheraton Club Lounge, a main ballroom the size of more than 11 basketball courts, more than 160,000 square feet of meeting space, three signature restaurants, and three outdoor pools with poolside cafes.

The opening coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Sheraton brand and makes Starwood the largest operator of four and five star hotels in the Asia Pacific region, and on track to reach more than 320 hotels in the region by 2014. “The opening of Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Central represents an historic milestone for Starwood, for Sheraton, and for the hospitality industry as a whole,” said Frits van Paasschen, Starwood’s president and CEO. “Boasting unparalleled brand recognition and a rich legacy in Asia Pacific, Sheraton is the ideal fit for this spectacular new hotel in Macau, as the brand continues to lead Starwood’s growth in the region.”

 “Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Central is part of Sands Cotai Central, Macau’s newest, fully integrated resort and shopping, dining and entertainment destination on the Cotai Strip. Opening in two phases, the property is first opening the Sheraton Sky Tower, featuring 1,829 rooms, the 13,000-square-foot Sheraton Club Lounge, the Kashgar Grand Ballroom and additional meeting space. Other highlights include Palms Lounge, the brand’s signature Link@Sheraton communications hub in the lobby, the Sala Pool on level four, Shine Spa and Sheraton Core Performance fitness facility, featuring the Sheraton brand’s new health and fitness program, Sheraton Fitness programmed by Core Performance. The hotel’s second tower (the Sheraton Earth Tower), opening early next year, will offer an additional 2,067 rooms, as well as two more outdoor pools.

Sheraton currently operates 95 hotels in Asia Pacific and expects to reach nearly 150 hotels by 2016. Propelled by the strength of the Sheraton brand, Asia Pacific is Starwood’s fastest-growing global market. Sheraton Macao Hotel, Cotai Central is the second Starwood hotel to open in Macau.