Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina

SAN DIEGO, CA (March 2009) -Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina (SSDHM), a Starwood Hotels property, has announced the completion of a multi-phased, $27 million renovation of its 1,000 guest rooms and 53 luxury suites located on Harbor Island, adjacent to the beautiful San Diego Bay. As the first hotel in North America to be largely powered by fuel cell technology, the recent renovation has taken SSDHM to another level of eco-consciousness with the addition of green HVAC cooling/heating controls in each guest room, a recycling program throughout the property, as well as other "green" initiatives being added.

"The Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina is San Diego's premier hotel for meetings and conventions and this update successfully forges a balance between the property's relaxing coastal atmosphere and today's modern necessities," said Dan Schmitzer, director of sales and marketing for the property. "We've created a fresh San Diego experience for our guests who have come for work and pleasure to enjoy the relaxed Southern California spirit in one of the most popular destinations in America."

A leader in the Sheraton hotel family for often being the first to introduce new technology and amenities, the SSDHM was the first hotel in North America to get "off the grid" when it converted to the use of fuel cell technology in 2006 and was also the first Sheraton to introduce the LINK@Sheraton, a unique lobby lounge that creates a sense of community and offers travelers a convenient on-line experience and instant access to information for work, leisure and social networking. With the recent renovation additions and modernizations, SSDHM continues to stay at the forefront of sophisticated design and technological trends.

The new guestrooms are freshly appointed with a classic cool color palette of ocean blue and foam white, complimenting the panoramic ocean and city views spanning from downtown San Diego to the Coronado Bridge. Guests can enjoy the stunning water views from their private balcony, available with every room - a rarity to find in other properties. Each guestroom features solid mahogany furniture, along with crisp white cotton bedding atop the signature Sheraton Sweet Sleep Bed and updated lighting and ergonomic seating create a sleek and comfortable experience for guests. Renovated bathrooms with modern fixtures and famed Bliss bath products offer a calming retreat. Each modern guestroom also contains state-of-the-art technology, including fully automatic refreshment bars, eco-friendly HVAC cooling/heating systems, 32 inch flat-screen LCD TV's and fiber-optic bandwidth and internet connectivity.

The Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina offers 120,000 square feet of events and meeting space, 1,053 guestrooms in two distinctive towers, featuring five restaurants and lounges, three outdoor swimming pools, and Link@ the Sheraton. It is located at 1380 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92101. For more information call 619-291-2900 or visit [url]www.sheraton.com/sandiegomarina[/url].

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SAN DIEGO, CA (December 14, 2009) - The Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina (SSDHM) announced today it has earned the "Two Palm Leadership Level" in California's Green Lodging Program, the highest level attainable. It is now the most sustainable convention hotel in San Diego and the largest property in Southern California to have earned the ranking.

"This is a significant achievement for the property, and one we are proud to number among our rapidly evolving list of environmentally conscious initiatives," says Keri Robinson, general manager at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina. "San Diego is a top destination for business, leisure and convention travel alike, and our guests along meeting planners are looking for and appreciate our focus on being green and sustainable."

To achieve the Two Palm Leadership Level, the SSDHM had to meet and maintain seven criteria, including waste minimization and management, reuse and recycling, energy efficiency, hazardous materials management, conservation and management, freshwater resource management and environmentally and socially sensitive purchasing policies.

Among the improvements made to the SSDHM under its forward-thinking green initiatives are:

Electricity generated on-site by Fuel Cell Power Technology; the SSDHM was the first hotel in North America to be fully powered by this "ultra-clean" source of electricity. The byproduct waste heat is recaptured to heat pools and hot water.

Cuisine crafted from locally grown, organic and sustainable products; Starbucks in hotel's main lobby offering Fairtrade and Shadegrown options.

Extensive back of the house practices including all eco-friendly cleaning and laundry products. Food waste from the kitchen is dehydrated on-site and taken with the landscaping waste to be composted off-site.

A thorough list of green meetings/events practices, including the onsite FedEx Office, which enables planners to minimize carbon emissions associated with shipping supplies and to print on recycled content/FSC paper. The in-house audio visual company utilizes EnergyStar-compliant equipment with LED lighting for their meeting room services.

Recycling bins in each guest room and a progressive in-room "Make a Green Choice" program rewards guests for choosing to conserve water, energy and chemicals.

As a result of the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina's sustainability efforts, 2009 has reduced its consumption of water by 15%, electricity by 6% and gas by 6% over prior year.

The CA Green Lodging Program was developed by the California Integrated Waste Management Board to provide travelers with a green option for their lodging needs. It is currently operated by the Department of General Services as part of the State Travel Program.

ABOUT THE SHERATON SAN DIEGO HOTEL & MARINA

The Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina offers 120,000 square feet of events and meeting space, 1,053 guestrooms, featuring five restaurants and lounges, three outdoor swimming pools and Link@Sheraton. It is located at 1380 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92101. For more information call 619-291-2900 or visit [url]www.sheratonsd.com[/url]

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