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http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/050105/55053_1.html

Press Release Source: Starwood Hotels & Resorts

Starwood Expands into Resort Market of Taiwan with Signing of the First International Resort in Yilan County, Taiwan
Wednesday January 5, 9:00 am ET
Sheraton Yilan Resort, Taiwan, is Scheduled to Open in June 2006

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 5, 2005--Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc (NYSE: HOT - News) and Ilan Sky Line Entertainment Company have announced a franchise agreement to operate the first international resort, the Sheraton Yilan Resort, in Yilan County, Taiwan. The newly built 180-room Sheraton Yilan Resort is scheduled to open in June 2006.

"With a consistent high level of economic growth over the past few years which is forecast to continue, Taiwan offers good opportunities to tap into the resort market for both domestic and international travelers," stated Miguel Ko, President, Starwood Asia-Pacific. "Starwood currently operates three hotels in Taiwan under the Sheraton, Westin and Four Points by Sheraton brands and the signing of Sheraton Yilan Resort further consolidates our position as the largest upscale international hotel company in Taiwan," added Ko.

Yilan, a county situated on the northeast coast of Taiwan, is consistently ranked one of the best places to visit in Taiwan, given its picturesque landscape, hot springs and waterfront retreats, attracting on average three million visitors annually to the county. Yilan is currently a three-hour drive from the capital city of Taipei. With the completion of a new expressway linking Yilan and Taipei in early 2006, visitors will be able to travel from Taipei to Yilan in just over one hour.

The Sheraton Yilan Resort will be situated in a breathtaking mountainous setting with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, Yilan city, scenic landscapes and tea plantations. The resort will feature 180 rooms, over 14,000 square feet of meeting and function space, eight dining outlets, a health club and spa, 39 Oriental and family hot spring houses as well as an indoor swimming pool.

Contact:

Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Mark Ricci, Corporate Public Relations
914-640-8496
[email protected]
or
Starwood Asia-Pacific
Hwee Peng Yeo, Corporate Communications Manager,
Tel: (65) 6335 4837
Fax: (65) 6335 4820
Email: [email protected]


Source: Starwood Hotels & Resorts

Taiwaned

We are hoping to book for our wedding anniversary next year. Any ideas when individual bookings will be accepted? In fine print, it mentioned that it is not a member of SPG, isn't all Sheraton's part of SPG? or does this mean it does not accept award nights but you still will be awarded the points for your stay?

Starwood Lurker

If the resort will not be participating in SPG...and personally, I think it is too early for anyone to know for certain at this point in time...then you won't be able to redeem there or receive any benefits in regard to SPG such as stay credit or Starpoints.

As for the Sheraton brand and participation, there are at least two Sheraton-branded properties that do not participate in SPG, provided you don't count the Sheraton-branded SVO properties, which may or may not have a partial participation in the program, but are considered by us to be non-participants.

The following properties are not Participating Properties. We reserve the right to change this list from time to time without notice. We endeavor to keep this list up to date, but you should contact your regional Customer Contact Center for the most current information.

Sheraton Casino & Hotel, Robinsonville

Sheraton Lagos Hotel & Towers, Lagos, Nigeria

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

[email protected]

Taiwaned

When does this hotel become bookable? July 1, 2007 is rapidly approaching and I was really hoping to try this resort out for our anniversary.

And it still looks like no SPG participation which is a pity.

Starwood Lurker

No clue, really. But, it looks to me like when they finally do become bookable, they will participate in SPG as a Category 3 hotel. However, anything can happen to change that between now and the time it becomes bookable.

Sincerely,


William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

[email protected]

Taiwaned

Any particular reason why there is so many delays in this resort opening?

It was first June 2006, June 2007, June 2008 and now Jan 2009.

I understand building estimates are sometimes iffy but off by three plus years???

mjcewl1284

I am looking forward to this property opening up in Taiwan.

I had heard about a Sheraton Sun Moon Lake plan about 5 yrs ago. I wondered if this plan had fizzled because it seemed nothing came of it.

myperks

Is this resort going to happen or what? I've been waiting for it to open. I wonder if they actually started construction, can't find information... Visit taiwan twice a year and would love to go to Yilan...
The resort opening date has been delayed until Jan 1, 2010...

myperks

its gonna be a while.....delayed again.....to Dec 1, 2010.....

myperks

gone...

(no longer listed to open...oh well)

inlandrev

Anyone stay here yet, after it opened?

myperks

you might want to check upthread

ThomasTW

Being a Taiwanese myself and surprise to find there's a Master Thread for this property...

The truth is the owner was not able to complete the construction of the resort due to financial crisis in 2008 (where Lehmann Brother had agreed to invest, well.. we all know what happens to them next), and the "semi-propetry" will be on auction this year, but not sure whether Starwood would agree to use Sheraton as there had been 3 starwood hotels (W Taipei, Le Meridien Taipei and Sheraton Hsinchu) opened in Taiwan since 2008.

Hope that helps ease some curiosity.

Richard Chen

Is this development returning as the newly fabeled Le Méridien Yilan Beach Resort & Spa - Opening July 1, 2017?

Starwood Lurker III

Hi Richard Chen,

We have checked with relevant department and confirmed that these are two different projects.

Best Regards,

Christina Zhou
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]