Starwood is opening of the new Sheraton Independence Hotel in the greater Cleveland area.Situated in the center of the Independence Business District, eight miles south of downtown Cleveland and 10 minutes from the Cleveland Hopkins Airport, this full-service hotel features urban architecture with a 19th century American park design boasting a vibrant, friendly lobby area that truly speaks to the Sheraton brand’s key attributes of warm, comforting, connections.

The converted 179-room hotel is owned and managed by Columbus, Ohio-based Focus Lodging Group, LLC and is licensed under the Sheraton brand under a long-term franchise agreement.

“We are delighted to celebrate the opening of this hotel and feel that it is a perfect fit for this growing market,” said Chad Waetzig, senior vice president marketing, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. “We look forward to welcoming guests with our signature services, amenities and programs that were designed to make guests feel like they belong the moment they walk through our doors.”

The Sheraton Independence is the latest addition to the Sheraton brand which continues to grow aggressively around the world. Sheraton, Starwood’s most global hotel brand with hotels in 67 countries, signed more than 40 new hotel deals in the last year. Parent company Starwood Hotels & Resorts has signed a record number of new hotels deals and continues to win more new upscale, upper upscale and luxury projects than its competitors.

“We are proud to be associated with Starwood Hotels in bringing the superior standards of the Sheraton brand to Northeast Ohio,” said Scott Somerville, President of Focus Lodging. “With all of the growth occurring in Independence, the Sheraton Independence Hotel is the ideal spot for business travelers and for corporate meetings in the Cleveland area.”

All guest rooms boast Sheraton’s signature Sweet Sleeper(R) Bed which includes a plush top mattress, down pillows, crisp sheets, and duvets in rich, solid colors with a simple patterned design. Guest rooms also feature an expansive 12-foot work area; LCD TV’s; oversized bathrooms with double-frosted glass doors at entry and frameless glass shower stalls. Additional guest services include the Sheraton Club Level with upgraded room amenities and an exclusive Club Lounge, “Portofino’s on the Hill,” a new restaurant/lounge with contemporary Italian/American cuisine, as well as a 24-hour exercise facility, lighted tennis courts, indoor swimming pool and whirlpool and seasonal outdoor pool.

The Sheraton Independence caters to the needs of business travelers with a 24-hour business center and complimentary wireless high-speed Internet throughout the public spaces of the hotel, including the 10,000+ square feet of flexible meeting space and six additional meeting rooms that can accommodate groups from five to 100.
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