The Sheraton Phoenix Downtown hotel has unveiled extensive renovations that have been worked on over the past year since its closure last March to mark its reopening. Changes range from a fully reworked community space to over 1000 rooms that received a visual makeover.
The hotel also continued to add and enforce precautions and regulations to prevent further spread of the virus, and to keep guests that come to stay at the hotel safe.
Jon Erickson, the market director of sales & marketing for the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown, went into detail about the steps they are taking for COVID-19 precautions. One prime example he gave regarded the enforcement of masks and social distancing.
“We are requiring all associates and guests to wear masks while in the hotel. We have installed shields to help people stay safe, we are cleaning more frequently, and have also placed gentle spacing reminders around the hotel,” Erickson said.
Hotel services have been altered to meet these standards as well. Erickson said that there would be no room service for the time being. However, food will still be available to order with a mobile delivery option where guests can order from the lobby.
He said that they would like to bring back room service as soon as possible, though there may be a wait due to a lack of current demand.
The hotel also fleshed out the coffee and cocktail bars with & More, a service that will provide beverages and drinks throughout the day with food options as well.
The Sheraton has invested into cellular convenience with upgraded Wi-Fi connectivity and has added multiple phone charging stations and outlets.
In terms of other technology, Erickson said that the hotel would be opening the “most technologically-advanced hotel gym in all of the Southwestern United States.”
This new $850,000 fitness center includes a partnership with Technogym and will feature what is described as state-of-the-art equipment and an outdoor lap pool which is expected to open in early summer.
As more people are receiving vaccinations and becoming more comfortable traveling again, Erickson said large groups that have recently booked with the hotel are ready to return. He said that the Sheraton’s actions might even be a rallying point for the Phoenix community.
The positivity is seen in others as well with Mike Ehmann, the general manager of the hotel, said he’s excited for guests to return to the hotel and to reintroduce the hotel to the Phoenix community.
“We believe travelers will feel intrinsically linked to the Phoenix community and vice versa through the hotel’s concerted design elements that represent the heritage of the brand and warm textures of the region, and through engaging hotel programming that gives guests a sense of belonging,” Ehmann said in the statement.
Room and event registrations, along with COVID-19 safety precautions for the hotel, can be found on the Sheraton’s website.
Correction: An earlier version of this article said there was no in-person dining at the Sheraton. Currently, there is no room service and in-person dining is available. The article has been updated with the correct information.
Contact the reporter at jcsande6@asu.edu.
