Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and Sunstar Hotel & Development, S.A. announced the opening of the Sheraton brand s first all-inclusive resort The Sheraton Bijao Beach, Panama. The hotel marks the second Starwood all-inclusive resort in Central America.

The beachfront resort features 294 guest rooms and suites with views of the Pacific Ocean and lush mountainside surroundings. Prior to the opening, the property underwent a multi-million dollar renovation to meet Sheraton brand standards and will feature all the brand s signature offerings including the Sweet Sleeper Bed designed with the AAA Five Diamond Award criteria, Club Lounge, Link@Sheraton experienced with Microsoft and Sheraton Fitness" programmed by Core Performance. The Sheraton Bijao Beach Resort will be operated by GHL Hoteles Ltd and represents the eighth hotel operated by GHL under the Starwood portfolio.

We re thrilled to launch our first all-inclusive Sheraton resort in a destination that is seeing significant growth, said Hoyt Harper, Global Brand Leader, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts. The Sheraton Bijao Beach joins our robust portfolio of renowned resorts around the world and will feature the signature offerings and services of the Sheraton brand designed to appeal to both business and leisure travelers. Strategic conversions like this one continue to play an instrumental role in our portfolio growth across Latin America.

The opening of the Sheraton Bijao Beach Resort is the latest addition to the brand s portfolio of more than 60 resorts and is part of the Sheraton brand s strategic global expansion plan that will add more than 70 new hotels and over 23,000 rooms to the Sheraton portfolio over the next two years.  

Panama is becoming an increasingly popular destination with travelers and is the perfect location for the debut of Sheraton s first all-inclusive resort on beautiful Bijao Beach, said Osvaldo Librizzi, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Latin America. The opening of the Sheraton Bijao Beach gives travelers and Starwood Preferred Guests yet another exemplary resort destination from which to choose, as well as a third destination to discover and enjoy in the diverse country of Panama.

The Sheraton Bijao Beach Resort overlooks a spectacular stretch of beach in the Santa Clara region of Panama known for its comfortably dry climate throughout most of the year. The resort is located 62 miles northwest of Panama City, and approximately one hour and forty-five minutes from Panama's Tocumen International Airport. Ideal for social functions, the Sheraton Bijao Beach Resort offers more than 3,600 square feet of flexible meeting space and features several restaurants serving both local and international cuisine. The resort s other amenities include: three swimming pools, two heated Jacuzzis, children s pools, tennis courts, and a spa area featuring four treatment rooms and saunas. The Sheraton Bijao Beach Resort also features Sheraton Fitness programmed by Core Performance, the brand's revolutionary new health and fitness offering designed exclusively for Sheraton guests through a partnership with Core Performance. Additionally, there is a nine-hole golf course located adjacent to the resort offering preferential access to Sheraton Bijao Beach Hotel guests.

Starwood has spent the last few years renovating and rebuilding one of the hotel industry s most iconicbrands and Sheraton now stands better than ever with the strongest portfolio in its history. The brand is gaining market share, RevPAR continues to rise, guest satisfaction scores are the highest in the brand s history and likelihood to return, likelihood to recommend and meeting planner and associate engagement scores are also at all-time highs signaling that guests are taking notice and rediscovering the new Sheraton, and increasing the brand s appeal to owners and developers.