Sheraton Incheon Hotel becomes Sheraton Grand Incheon

Sheraton Incheon Hotel in Songdo has gained a new name which is Sheraton Grand Incheon Hotel. / Courtesy of Sheraton Grand Incheon Hotel

By Kim Se-jeong

Sheraton Incheon Hotel in Songdo threw a party on Jan. 8 to celebrate its new name — Sheraton Grand Incheon Hotel.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has added the word “Grand” to the names of Sheraton properties in an attempt to recognize properties that showed exceptional business performances and to solidify the international hotel chain’s brand name.

Starwood has “Sheraton Grande” brand around the world, which is different from “Sheraton Grand.”

Properties around the world, from Beijing and Dubai to Rio de Janeiro and Edinburgh, have received the honor.

The chain is expected to add “Grand” to the names of almost 100 properties by 2020, according to General Manager Richard Suter.

Suter said the honor came as a surprise.

“We were all surprised. Also, we were so excited (to hear the news). It is recognition for the people who work at the hotel.”

He also attributed the honor to the hotel’s location and quality of service. “It is also recognition for the destination for Songdo and recognition for what we do everyday. That also goes to the owner, Daewoo E&C,” according to Suter. “We will continue to take care of the guests and will promote Songdo as a tourist destination.”

The hotel is currently in a transitional period of making changes to reflect its new name. In additional to the party, it will be changing the logos on everything, from its napkins to the property’s signage.

Although the new name did not require Suter to make any special changes with the hotel’s operations and services, he still did so. He decided to take steps to make the hotel’s operations green.

“We will continue to push the envelope. We spend a lot of money to make our equipments more efficient. Guests do not feel (the difference),” the general manager said.

As part of this green initiative, the hotel has recently replaced all the light bulbs with LED ones and has formed a “green team” that trains staff, from marketing representatives to housekeepers, on how to save more energy. “We discuss how we can do things better.”

At the party, Suter took the chance to thank Sheraton Grand Incheon’s 300 staff and encouraged them to continue to pursue excellence in their jobs.

“I am proud that we are working together. It’s the people that make the difference. You can have a beautiful property, but if people cannot fulfill the experiences, it’s no use.”

This is not the first time that he expressed his profound gratitude to the staff. In a previous interview with The Korea Times last year, Suter also thanked his colleagues for following his lead wholeheartedly.

He also thanked the local governments of Songdo and Incheon for hosting and supporting the hotel.

“We would not have been named ‘Grand,’ had we not been in this location. The city of Incheon invested a lot (for us). This recognition is also for the city.”

Located in west Incheon, the city of Songdo was artificially built within several years. The city government boosted the region’s economy by supporting local businesses, which include Sheraton Grand Incheon and other hotels. True to its goal, Songdo became a regional business hub in Northeast Asia.

Each of Sheraton Grand Incheon’s 300-plus rooms has a great view and is equipped with a Sheraton Sweet Sleeper bed, high ceiling, wide window, “rainforest” shower, 32-inch LCD TV, air conditioner and heating system, iron, personal safe, coffee maker, mini bar and Wi-Fi service.

The hotel also has several restaurants to suit guests’ tastes — Miyabi (Japanese cuisine), Bene (Italian cuisine) and Yue (Chinese cuisine) — as well as bars including ConneXions and BB which serve drinks and snacks. It also has 10 rooms for meetings and conferences and a fitness center. For more information and reservations, call (032) 835-1000 or visit www.sheraton.com.