Sheraton Krakow Becomes City's First Five-Star Hotel

July 6, 2004

KRAKOW, Poland – The Sheraton Krakow opened its doors here April 30, becoming the city's first-ever five-star hotel.

The 233-room hotel boasts an extravagant glass-roofed atrium, indoor pool, fitness center, rooftop terrace, ballroom, conference facilities, two restaurants and Poland's first specialty vodka bar. The hotel is located on the bank of the Wisla river near Wawel castle, and is a 10-minute walk from the old quarter's famed market square.

In anticipation of the May 1 registration of 10 Eastern European countries into the European Union, many – Poland included – are eagerly trying to refashion themselves into major tourist destinations, upgrading their travel infrastructure and promoting themselves as exotic, cheap alternatives to Western Europe. Hospitality firms such as Starwood have been busying themselves with garnering a chunk of the burgeoning tourism market.

"We are extremely proud to be the hotel operator of this great project," said Roeland Vos, president of Starwood's Europe, Africa and Middle East division. "The Sheraton Krakow is a symbol of our commitment to Poland and another important step in the expansion of our brands in Europe."

"The strength of our reservation system and the global reach of our sales and marketing team will give us a competitive advantage in offering Krakow, together with Warsaw, to our loyal and sophisticated international clientele. These are the most sought-after Polish destinations."

Krakow is surely no stranger to sophistication. A former capital of Poland, Krakow has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1978. Nicolaus Copernicus studied astronomy here in the 15th century. Nobel Literary Prize winners Czeslaw Milosz (1980) and Wislava Szymborska (1996) live here. Near the market square stands the Collegium Maius, the 15th century building that housed Jagiellonian University, one of the first universities in Central Europe. Leonardo da Vinci's "A Lady With an Ermine" is on display at the Czartoryski Museum.

Sheraton Krakow representatives said the hotel will embrace the city's tradition of excellence.

"We will offer our guests new and innovative products and the highest standards in service," said Warwick Gunning, general manager at the Sheraton Krakow. "We will be the hotel where future traditions begin!"

Starwood is just one of many hotel companies developing properties in Eastern Europe. The Wall Street Journal reported March 31 that the Four Seasons and Boscolo Hotels, an Italian luxury hotel company, are both opening new properties this year in Budapest. Courtyard by Mariott opened its first hotel in Eastern Europe in October 2003, and Holiday Inn and Radisson hotels are sprouting in Poland and Hungary, the Journal reported.


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