PNG Gets First Sheraton Hotel As Stanley Reopens Under New Flag

The Sheraton brand has landed in Papua New Guinea for the first time, with the newly refurbished Stanley property in Port Moresby officially rebranded and reopened as the Sheraton Port Moresby Stanley Hotel & Suites.

Guests, government officials and hospitality executives gathered in the capital on Monday for the launch, which turns what was long known simply as the Stanley into a flagship Pacific address for United States hospitality giant Marriott International.

 PNG Gets First Sheraton Hotel As Stanley Reopens Under New Flag- Inside Sheraton Hotel Port Moresby/Photo supplied

The property now sits under Marriott Bonvoy, a stable of more than 30 hotel brands worldwide, and becomes Marriott's second hotel in the country and its tenth Sheraton in the Pacific.

Sitting in the heart of Port Moresby's business and cultural precinct, the hotel offers 394 rooms, suites and apartments, a five-minute drive from Jacksons International Airport and linked directly to Vision City Mega Mall. Guests will have access to over 2,500 square metres of event space, including what organisers describe as PNG's biggest ballroom, along with several restaurants, a Sheraton Club Lounge, an infinity pool, a large gym and a full day spa.

Marriott International's Regional Vice President for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, Jason Nuell, called the launch a landmark moment for the company's footprint in the country. He pointed to Port Moresby's closeness to Australia and PNG's growing regional standing as driving factors behind the investment.

Rimbunan Hijau (RH) Group Managing Director James Lau said the K100 million project reflected years of commitment to the capital.

NCD Governor Powes Parkop, who also attended the opening, said the city needed to keep backing projects of this scale to draw more visitors and investors.

"The reason why we are opening so many hotels is because our guests want more choice. 75 percent of our guests come from our customer base. Our guests are just as excited as we are to have another place to come and stay," Nuell said.

"We are a global company in 143 countries around the globe and today is PNG's turn to raise the Sheraton flag."

Lau said the partnership was built on ambition matched with resources.

"With growth and imagination, a world-class ambition requires world-class conditions. That is why we chose to partner with Marriott International to bring the iconic Sheraton brand to Port Moresby," he said.

"Bringing global luxury to our city required more investment and commitment. Through a capital investment of K100 million, RH development has transformed this property."

He said the hotel would help position the capital as a hub for business, tourism and diplomacy.

"This is a step up in our infrastructure growth to meet the country's growth, and most importantly this investment is a work of commitment in Papua New Guinea's future."

Parkop urged Port Moresby residents to support the environment needed for such investment to flourish.

"It is our responsibility to create an environment that is conducive for business development to take place, for tourists to come, for our people to thrive and for all other aspects of development to happen in the country," he said.

"I am very pleased with this partnership between Marriott and RH Group of Companies. It is an internationally recognized brand that will be an ambassador for the country."