Starwood Hotels & Resorts today announced that its global powerhouse Sheraton Hotels has returned to the Dominican Republic with the opening of Sheraton Santo Domingo Hotel. Formerly known as Melia Santo Domingo, the newly renovated hotel offers 255 luxurious rooms and suites with breathtaking ocean views. Hoteles Nacionales, owner and operator of the property, completed a comprehensive $12 million renovation to implement all the Sheraton brand’s signature services and amenities prior to flying the Sheraton flag. Sheraton Santo Domingo Hotel is Starwood’s third property in the Dominican Republic, joining the recently opened Four Points by Sheraton Punta Cana Village and The Westin Punta Cana Resort & Club.

“By joining Starwood, we will also connect with more travelers via the powerful Starwood network, including the award-winning Starwood Preferred Guest program.”

“We are thrilled to reintroduce the Sheraton brand to the Dominican Republic following this strategic conversion in Santo Domingo, the ‘Gateway to the Caribbean,’” said Hoyt Harper, Global Brand Leader, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts. “A gathering place for both travelers and local residents, Sheraton Santo Domingo Hotel offers all the brand’s signature comforts and amenities, as well as breathtaking water views and proximity to leading attractions.”

Sheraton Santo Domingo Hotel is ideally located on Avenida George Washington, the city’s luxurious waterfront avenue lined with palm trees, hotels, casinos and boutiques. Just five minutes from the heart of downtown Santo Domingo, the hotel is walking distance to the city’s Colonial Center, 15 minutes from the business district and a 30 minute drive from Las Americas International Airport (SDQ). Highlights of the hotel include a large casino, an outdoor swimming pool and five-star dining.

The hotel’s renovated lobby features the signature “Link@Sheraton(R) experience with Microsoft®” – a relaxed space with complimentary wireless broadband where guests can socialise and connect with friends, both old and new. All guest rooms were refurbished and outfitted with the all-white Sheraton Sweet Sleeper® bed, designed to meet AAA’s Five Diamond Award® criteria, an oversized work desk, ergonomic chair, high-speed Internet and 42-inch flat panel television. Sheraton Club guests enjoy upgraded amenities, as well as complimentary breakfast, beverages and evening hors d’oeuvres in the newly renovated Sheraton Club Lounge.

“We are proud to partner with Starwood Hotels to open the First Sheraton in the Dominican Republic and invite travelers to enjoy the hotel’s recently enhanced amenities in our spectacular, waterfront location,” said Paula Lama, Vice President of Hoteles Nacionales. “By joining Starwood, we will also connect with more travelers via the powerful Starwood network, including the award-winning Starwood Preferred Guest program.”

An ideal choice for business meetings, weddings and social functions, Sheraton Santo Domingo Hotel offers 22,500 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting space including 11 conference rooms. Additional amenities include the hotel’s freshly renovated fitness facility, featuring the brand’s revolutionary health and fitness program, Sheraton Fitness by Core Performance, as well as steam rooms, massage facility and a sauna.

Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, like all brands within Starwood’s robust portfolio, is proud to offer the Starwood Preferred Guest® program, which made headlines when it launched in 1999 with a breakthrough policy of no blackout dates on Free Night Awards. SPG® offers members the ability to redeem awards at more resorts, more luxury properties, more European hotels and more golf properties than any other hotel program.