Sheraton installed Microsoft Surface units in the lobbies of 5 of their hotels this week…

…Microsoft Surface is a 30-inch display built into a table top. There’s no mouse or keyboard - it uses touch.

It’s like a giantic iPhone, only better!

Hotel guests can browse pictures of the hotel, create playlists with the jukebox, and even find restaurants, bars, and entertainment in the city with 365-degree satellite maps.

Check out the Surface at these hotels:

• Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers – 811 7th Avenue 53rd Street, New York

• Sheraton Boston Hotel – 39 Dalton St, Boston

• Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers – 301 East North Water Street, Chicago

• Sheraton Seattle Hotel – 1400 6th Ave, Seattle

• Sheraton Gateway San Francisco Airport Hotel – 600 Airport Boulevard, Burlingame

The nation’s first LEED-certified hotel brand, element by Starwood, has just opened its first hotel!

element Lexington, in Lexington, MA, celebrated its grand opening on July 1. The property is a mix of smart design and eco-chicness. It will be the concept lab for the brand.

How do you think the element brand will impact non-eco friendly hotels? Will the environment impact your property selection for your next meeting? Or is element appealing to a niche market?

Sheraton Hotels & Resorts has struck a deal with Microsoft, who will provide computers in hotel lobby lounges with free internet access, printers, and webcams…

The best part about this? With many airlines cracking down on the number of bags and weight travelers can bring on board, there’s no need to bring your laptop with you.

Perks:

-Print boarding passes for your flight home and save some of the hassle of waiting in line
-Stay on top of your emails with email access
-Access to local reviews and attractions are at your fingertips
-Use the webcams to have free video-chats or email video postcards
-Check the news and weather back home or watch your favorite tv show online

Remember, this is FREE for Sheraton guests - and now you can use that extra space in your suitcase for something you really need…like another pair of shoes.

With 500 Hotels and 120,000 New Rooms in the Pipeline, Starwood to Expand Around the Globe

Early this year Starwood will mark a milestone with the opening of its 900th hotel, and expects to increase its portfolio by 50% over the next five years.

Starwood Fast Facts:

• • 500 hotels and 120,000 rooms are in Starwood’s active pipeline
• • Hotels outside North America account for half of new hotels
• • 70 Asian Pacific hotels to double by 2011
• • Aloft and Element to open first hotels in United States and Canada

“Our lifestyle brands and noted innovations have struck a chord with the development community as they believe this leads to increased loyalty as well as robust returns,” said Raymond “Rip” Gellein, President, Global Development Group.

“In 2008 we expect healthy expansion as our newest brands in the select service category continue to gain traction and our established upper upscale and luxury brands expand in markets where we are currently underpenetrated,” said Raymond “Rip” Gellein, President, Global Development Group.