Sheraton Rhodos, Greece, Opened April 2010
 

I was just doing some research on the Starwood site for a possible trip to Greece when I noticed a new Sheraton listed for Rhodos (or Rhodes) Greece. Suprisingly it is listed with an opening date of April 1, 2010 and I had not read anything about it here on FT. Search revealed nothing but then again I'm no search expert.

Could this be a rebranding of the old Hilton Rhodos which I think had recently been called the Imperial Rhodos after it dropped the Hilton flag? Seems likely to me because the street addresses are very similar (Iallyses Avenue, Rhodes) Anyone have any further details on this property?


Update: Just found this online which confirms it is the Imperial Rhodes but I can only cut and paste the complete text and no link:

SHERATON HOTELS & RESORTS MAKES ITS DEBUT IN GREECE THIS SPRING WITH THE SHERATON RHODES RESORT

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Marks its Eighth Property in Greece
Adding to its Portfolio of Award-Winning Luxury Destination Resorts

ATHENS – January 11, 2010 – Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) announces the debut of the Sheraton brand in Greece with the launch of the Sheraton Rhodes Resort this spring. Located on the island of Rhodes, only a few kilometres from the historic town of Rhodes, the recently refurbished 401-room Sheraton Rhodes Resort will offer global travellers, families and honeymooners alike the best of resort amenities. The introduction of the Sheraton brand will extend Starwood’s footprint in Greece, where it currently operates seven Luxury Collection hotels and one Westin hotel.

“Rhodes is a spectacular destination for global travellers and we are excited to introduce Sheraton, our most iconic brand, to this important destination,” said Roeland Vos, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East (EAME). “We are delighted to partner with Touristika Theretra S.A. as we add another magnificent resort to Starwood’s portfolio of world-class properties in Greece.”

The Sheraton Rhodes Resort’s amenities include a range of rooms and suites with mountain, garden or sea views, three dining options including an all-day dining facility and two destination restaurants (one of which is located pool-side), a piano bar, a full-service spa, fitness facilities and a beach. Amongst the 44 suites are two extravagant three-bedroom suites and special family rooms provide guests with outdoor areas and kitchenettes. Other facilities for families include a dedicated children’s pool and playground, children’s menus, babysitters on request and a games room. The resort also offers numerous sport options such as basketball, volleyball, tennis and water sports, as well as three outdoor pools and an indoor pool.

For business travellers and corporate clients seeking a relaxed environment for meetings, or to add a “wow” factor to their incentives, the Sheraton Rhodes Resort can hold events for up to 1,000 people with more than 2,600 square metres of meeting and event space, including a showcase ballroom, numerous break-out and meeting areas, the latest audio-visual technology as well as full catering and banquet services, wireless internet in meeting rooms, all supported by the Sheraton dedicated meeting planner service. Conveniently located less than nine kilometers from Rhodes international airport, the resort is also within walking distance of the two largest conference centres on the island of Rhodes – key destinations for meetings in the eastern Mediterranean.

Prior to joining the Sheraton portfolio the resort was known as the Imperial Rhodes. It is currently closed for the winter season and will re-open after refurbishment as the Sheraton Rhodes Resort this spring.


The Sheraton Rhodes Resort will join Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ impressive portfolio of hotels and resorts in Greece: Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens; Blue Palace Resort & Spa in Elounda, Crete; Arion Resort& Spa at Astir Palace, Athens; Santa Marina Resort & Villas in Mykonos; Vedema Resort and Mystique, both located in Santorini; The Westin Athens Astir Palace Beach Resort, and the soon-to-open Westin Resort and Luxury Collection Resort at Costa Navarino in the Peloponnese and W Hotel at Astir Palace Beach.

This was embedded in the press release:

Prior to joining the Sheraton portfolio the resort was known as the Imperial Rhodes. It is currently closed for the winter season and will re-open after refurbishment as the Sheraton Rhodes Resort this spring.

But, I have no idea if the Imperial Rhodes was a former Hilton or not.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

Thanks William we must have both been posting at the same time so the information I added overlaps with your confirmation!

Imperial Rhodes site:

http://www.imperialrhodes.gr/default-en.html

Reports from its Hilton days:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...-property.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...s-reviews.html

Hopefully, the refurb is extensive, as Hilton FTers rated it a 2 or 3 star.

According to what I find on google, yes.

http://www.rodos.com/rhodes-imperial/index.html

Opened May 1, 2010!

Tonight's best public rate is EUR 107 including breakfast. In late May, EUR 131 for a non-refundable rate including breakfast.

HSIA is EUR 15 per day. (Free for Plats, of course.)

Perhaps of interest to Star Alliance members, Lufthansa codeshares on Aegeans flights from ATH to Rhodes. (Also to Heraklion, Crete -- the main access point to get to Blue Palace.)

Any updates?

I just got back from a SPG Moments booking here. The hotel is located about 10 minutes by cab from the old town, roughly half way between the airport and the old town.

The hotel has three pools, private beach access (beaches on Rhodes are generally no so interesting), multiple F&B outlets. Overall I was quite satisfied with my stay. The off were genuinely very friendly and helpful.

Generally speaking this is a seasonal hotel, so you cannot book it in the winter. I do not know when they close the hotel, but it opened for this season on April 27.

How was the sailing? Is the property still maintaining it's upkeep? Thinking of making my fourth visit this July.

The crew was great and the sailing was fun. It was perhaps a bit cold for my liking so I didn't go for the swim.

I found the hotel to be well maintained.

Room categories for Sheraton Rhodes
 

I'm just trying to understand room categories at the Sheraton Rhodes. According to their website, here's the various rooms categories :

1. Presidential Suite
2. Aegean Suite
3. Junior Suite
4. Deluxe room with Seaview
5. Deluxe room Garden view
6. Superior Room
7. Familly Room
8. Classic Room Garden View
9. Classic Room Sea view

As a PLAT using points for an upcoming stay and the SNA (not confirmed yet), I was wondering what kind of room I'll be getting.

What's your experience there?

Aegean and Junior Suites are in the upgrade pool for both, SNAs and Plat.upgrades.
For the SNAs I would not bother with a Junior Suite. They are basically a slightly bigger room.

I just returned from a 10 night award stay. I booked the Aegean suite. No upgrades available. However the Aegean suite was great. Excellent Platinum treatment.

Would you happen to know if they have more than one Aegean Suite?

There are a total of 9 in the property's inventory.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, LLC

[email protected]