In Taipei, the hotel's own description says locals still arrange to "meet me at the Sheraton." In Okinawa, a zipline runs 250 meters out over the East China Sea, a glass-bottom boat leaves from the resort's beach, and a free water slide spirals down beside the pool. Same brand, two very different days, and both start in a lobby the company now designs as a public square.
Thirteen pages, about thirty-five minutes: what a Sheraton stay feels like, where the brand is stronger than its peers, the Asian hotels to plan around, and how to book. Who it suits less, up front: travelers who want a boutique or design-led hotel, and anyone who expects every Sheraton to feel newly built.
The last page has a checklist of twelve things to try at any Sheraton. Three cost nothing. One of them is asking at check-in whether your hotel has been through the brand's new lobby redesign, because it changes how the whole stay feels.
01 · THE SHORT ANSWER
A big, central hotel where the city meets, or a beach resort with something for every age
A Sheraton stay feels like being in the middle of things. The hotels are large, central and busy: Taipei's has 688 rooms and seven restaurants, Osaka's has 580 rooms beside a train station, and the resorts fill their days with activities. Add a Club Lounge with evening drinks and hot food, and a footprint of 436 hotels, more than any other Marriott brand, and you have the reasons people keep booking it.
| Roots | Founded in 1937 in Springfield, Massachusetts, by Ernest Henderson and Robert Moore; part of Marriott since 2016 |
|---|---|
| Positioning | Marriott premium, alongside Marriott Hotels and Westin. Full brand map: Marriott's 39 brands, explained |
| Size | 436 hotels and 147,958 rooms at the end of 2025; 103 in Greater China and 58 elsewhere in Asia Pacific |
| Signatures | The redesigned lobby with a Community Table and bookable Studios, the Sheraton Club lounge, the Sheraton Sleep Experience bed, big ballrooms and resort activities |
| In Taiwan | Four hotels: Taipei, Hsinchu, Taoyuan and Taitung; a fifth in New Taipei is planned for late 2026 |
| Advisor perks | None at the two hotels checked: Sheraton is not on the Fora Portal's list of LUMINOUS brands. Details on page 11 |
- City tripsPick a Sheraton for location: Taipei on Zhongxiao East Road, Hiroshima a minute from the shinkansen, Osaka on top of a station.
- FamiliesFor a resort, look at Okinawa and the Maldives first. Both build the day around the water.
- The loungePrice an Executive or Club room for stays of three nights or more. The evening spread can replace a dinner out.
02 · ORIGINS
Two Harvard classmates, a sign on a roof, and a banquet for a president
Ernest Henderson and Robert Moore were Harvard classmates who bought hotels in Massachusetts in the 1930s. The brand counts the Stonehaven in Springfield, bought in 1937, as its first. The name came two years later, from their third hotel in Boston.
| 1937 | Henderson and Moore buy the Stonehaven Hotel in Springfield, Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| 1947 | Reportedly the first hotel chain listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Wikipedia makes this claim; Marriott's brand page instead credits Sheraton with the industry's first automated reservations system. |
| 1961 | The Sheraton-Tel Aviv opens, the first Sheraton outside the United States and Canada |
| 1968 | ITT buys the company |
| 1984 | The Reagans host their return banquet in Beijing at the Great Wall Sheraton, with turkey on the menu. Wikipedia dates Sheraton's management of the hotel to 1985. |
| 1998 to 2016 | Starwood buys ITT Sheraton for US$13.3 billion; Marriott buys Starwood in 2016 |
Marriott still describes Sheraton as the first international hotel chain in the People's Republic of China, and Greater China remains the brand's largest region, with 103 hotels.
03 · SIGNATURE MOMENTS
Five things you will find at a Sheraton, old or new
Sheraton calls itself "the world's gathering place." Since 2021 the brand has been redesigning its hotels around that idea, and a few features now repeat from Phoenix to Guangzhou.
| The lobby as a square | A long Community Table with power and wireless charging, where guests work or eat side by side. The first six redesigned hotels opened in January 2021 |
|---|---|
| Studios | Glass-walled rooms in the lobby that guests can book for a meeting or a video call, plus soundproof booths |
| &More by Sheraton | A coffee bar, cocktail bar and small market in one space, with an all-day menu |
| Sheraton Club | The executive lounge; the 2021 redesign added 24-hour access at renovated hotels. In Taipei, evening drinks start at 5 p.m. |
| Gatherings | Weekly events for guests and locals, listed on the brand's own site as "Gatherings by Sheraton" |
Not every Sheraton has the new look yet. Marriott's development site counts more than 85 hotels transformed and more than 80 committed, out of 436. Ben Schlappig of One Mile at a Time called the redesigned public spaces "shockingly gorgeous."
04 · ROOMS AND DESIGN
What you see when the door opens
Sheraton rooms are built for comfort more than for show. Every hotel uses the Sheraton Sleep Experience bed, newer rooms have walk-in showers with Gilchrist & Soames bath products, and the view depends on which tower you book.
| Taipei | 688 rooms and suites in Chinese modern décor. Superior, Deluxe and Premier rooms; Executive rooms include Club Lounge access |
|---|---|
| Okinawa | 246 rooms on a 400-meter beach. Main Tower Deluxe rooms of 32 to 36 m²; Premium Ocean rooms of 50 m²; the Ocean Suite (82 m²) and Sunset Suite (100 m²) |
| Okinawa, South Tower | The newer wing, 46 rooms. A September 2026 guest review describes its rooms as more spacious, with extra privileges |
| Osaka | 580 rooms above Osaka Uehonmachi Station, with a 25-meter pool |
| Kiroro, Hokkaido | 140 rooms, Western or tatami, at the base of the ski runs |
| Hong Kong | 782 rooms in Tsim Sha Tsui, all renovated over two years |
Room size and age vary more than at most Marriott brands, so the tower or wing matters. In Okinawa, the Portal lists the same 32 to 36 m² Deluxe room with garden or ocean views at different prices, and the 50 m² Premium Ocean rooms face the water.
05 · SIGNATURE SERVICE
A full-service hotel, and how to get the most from it
Sheraton's service is less about a signature ritual and more about range: concierge desks, multiple restaurants, a lounge team, a fitness center and, at resorts, an activity desk that keeps the day full.
What guests and reviewers notice
- Taipei, October 2026: a Fora advisor who stayed three nights praised the central location, excellent front desk service and an evening lounge with cocktails and hot food
- Taipei, 2024: MyPointsLife noted the lounge's evening drinks include unlimited spirits for cocktails
- Maldives, 2024: Middle East Traveller described arrivals at Sheraton Maldives Full Moon with a lime, pandan and lemongrass drink and a traditional dance
- Hong Kong: Business Traveller recommends the top-floor Sky Lounge for cocktails and afternoon tea over Victoria Harbour
| Activity desks | At Okinawa: the MegaZIP zipline from a 13-meter deck, a free-fall drop called GoFall, a glass-bottom boat and marine sports |
|---|---|
| Workspace | Studios in redesigned lobbies can be booked for meetings; the Community Table is open to everyone |
- Before arrivalAsk the hotel which activities need booking ahead. In Okinawa that means the zipline and boat times.
- At check-inAsk for lounge hours and the evening service time. They differ by hotel.
- Working tripsBook a Studio for calls instead of working from the bed.
06 · DINING AND BARS
Where to eat and drink, hotel by hotel
Big Sheratons in Asia often hold several restaurants, and in Taipei one of them is a destination on its own.
| Taipei | The Guest House (請客樓), one Michelin star (2026); The Dragon (辰園), Cantonese and dim sum; Kitchen 12, all-day buffet; Momoyama and Sushi Momo, Japanese; Sukhothai, Thai; Antoine Room |
|---|---|
| Okinawa | Sunset Bar & Terrace on the beach; restaurants facing the East China Sea |
| Osaka | Top of Miyako bar on the 21st floor |
| Hiroshima | Miyabi-Tei, Japanese |
| Hong Kong | Sky Lounge on the top floor, cocktails and afternoon tea over the harbour |
| Taitung | Moon Bar and a rooftop terrace with ocean views |
In Taipei the Club Lounge covers the gap before dinner: hot dishes from 5:30 p.m. mean a late reservation at The Guest House works without arriving hungry.
07 · A DAY AT A SHERATON
One day in Okinawa, and one in Taipei
The resort and the city hotel run on different clocks. Times are from the hotels' published information and recent reviews; confirm them at check-in.
| Okinawa, morning | The beach, 400 meters of white sand in front of the rooms; yoga on the sand appears in the hotel's own gallery |
|---|---|
| Okinawa, midday | MegaZIP over the sea, then the free water slide by the pool |
| Okinawa, afternoon | A glass-bottom boat from the resort's beach |
| Okinawa, evening | Sunset Bar & Terrace as the sun drops over the East China Sea |
| Taipei, afternoon | Club Lounge tea, 2 to 4 p.m., then the rooftop pool the advisor review mentions |
| Taipei, evening | Lounge drinks from 5 p.m., then dinner at The Guest House |
08 · ASIA'S MUST-STAYS
Eight Sheratons in Asia to plan a trip around
The last column is the one thing to do at each.
| Taipei | 688 rooms on Zhongxiao East Road, Sheraton since 1983. Do: lounge drinks, then dinner at The Guest House |
|---|---|
| Okinawa | Beach resort on the Onna coast, 246 rooms. Do: the 250-meter zipline over the sea |
| Osaka | 580 rooms above Osaka Uehonmachi Station. Do: a nightcap at Top of Miyako on the 21st floor |
| Hiroshima | 238 rooms, about a minute's walk from the shinkansen. Do: arrive by train and be in the lounge minutes later |
| Kiroro, Hokkaido | Ski-in, ski-out at the base of the resort. Do: first chairlift of the morning, about 40 minutes from Otaru |
| Hong Kong | Tsim Sha Tsui, since 1974. Do: ride the twin bullet lifts, then cocktails at Sky Lounge |
| Maldives | Full Moon, 176 keys, 10 to 15 minutes by speedboat from Malé. Do: Shine Spa on its own island, or adopt a coral |
| Bali | Kuta Beach, linked to Beachwalk mall, about 15 minutes from the airport. Do: the rooftop pool at sunset |
- Pair themOsaka and Hiroshima are linked by the shinkansen, and the Hiroshima Sheraton is a minute from the platform.
- SeasonsKiroro is a winter trip; Okinawa is the beach and the sea.
- FamiliesOkinawa and the Maldives have the most to do without leaving the resort.
09 · HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS
Taiwan's Sheratons, and what each one is for
Taiwan has one of the denser Sheraton networks in Asia for its size. Each hotel suits a different trip.
| Taipei | Sheraton Grand Taipei, 688 rooms, opened in 1981 as the Lai Lai and a Sheraton since 1983. City trips, Michelin dining, the Club Lounge. More in Sheraton Grand Taipei, our full hotel guide |
|---|---|
| Hsinchu | Sheraton Hsinchu in Zhubei, opened 2010, 386 rooms. Trips to Hsinchu and Zhubei |
| Taoyuan | Sheraton Taoyuan, a Sheraton since 2019, 190 rooms. Trips to Taoyuan |
| Taitung | Sheraton Taitung, opened 2015, 290 rooms. The east coast, with the Moon Bar and a rooftop terrace |
| Coming | Sheraton New Taipei Xinzhuang, 146 rooms, planned for the end of 2026 |
Two brands to keep apart
Four Points by Sheraton is a separate Marriott brand, with hotels in Linkou and Bali in New Taipei. The names overlap; the experience and price level do not. Our Chinese-language guide to Marriott brand names covers the confusion.
10 · AGAINST ITS PEERS
Where Sheraton is stronger, and when to pick it
Three strengths come up when Sheraton is compared with other premium brands.
- Reach. 436 hotels at the end of 2025, the most of any Marriott brand, with 161 in Asia Pacific and Greater China combined. In many second cities in Asia, the Sheraton is the international option
- The lounge. Prince of Travel notes that Marriott Platinum members get Club Lounge access plus a guest at Sheraton; in Taipei that means evening drinks and hot dishes
- Space to gather. Big ballrooms (Osaka's largest holds 2,500), the Community Table and bookable Studios make it the practical choice for weddings, family reunions and work trips
| vs Westin | Westin leads with wellness and sleep; Sheraton with lounges and social space. Compare in Marriott vs Sheraton vs Westin |
|---|---|
| vs Marriott Hotels | Similar tier and lounge access. Marriott Hotels is the brand on our advisor perk list, Sheraton is not |
| vs Hilton and Hyatt Regency | Comparable full-service hotels; choose on location and renovation date |
The honest caveat: quality varies more than at newer brands. Skift wrote in 2018 about "how Sheraton lost its way," and in 2024 View from the Wing argued the brand still lagged. Renovated hotels and resorts such as Okinawa are where Sheraton shows its best side, so check the renovation date before you book.
11 · HOW TO BOOK
Same night, same room: what each way of booking includes
Sheraton is not one of Marriott's STARS or LUMINOUS brands in the Fora Advisor Portal, and neither Taipei nor Okinawa showed advisor perk rates for December. So the routes below differ only in what each rate bundles.
| Points, booked by you | In the Marriott app, when the redemption beats the cash rate. An advisor adds nothing to an award stay |
|---|---|
| Cash, direct | Public or Bonvoy member rate. Elite benefits apply, including Club Lounge access for Platinum |
| Cash, through an advisor | The same public and member rates, booked for you with your Bonvoy number so points and elite nights post. No extra STARS or LUMINOUS perks at these hotels |
Same dates, checked October 30, 2026
| Taipei, Deluxe King | Flexible rate US$234.50 a night (US$869.56 for three nights with taxes); advance purchase US$215.74 |
|---|---|
| Taipei, Executive Deluxe King | Includes Club Lounge access. Member package rate that includes breakfast, US$301.92 a night |
| Okinawa | Ocean-view Double from US$144 a night; Premium Ocean King (50 m²) from US$257; Ocean Suite from US$772 |
Dates: December 13 to 16, 2026, two adults, from the Fora Advisor Portal. Rates change daily. Hotel and Marriott offers can be lower on some dates.
What status adds
| Platinum and above | Club Lounge access for you and a guest where the hotel has one; the welcome gift can be breakfast for two in the restaurant. Details in Marriott Platinum, brand by brand |
|---|---|
| Advisor programs | Which Marriott brands carry STARS or LUMINOUS perks, in Marriott STARS and Luminous, explained |
Full disclosure: I book hotels as a Fora advisor, and the hotel pays me a commission on advisor bookings. That is why the first route on this list is points, booked by you, and why I say plainly that Sheraton adds no advisor perks.
- Points firstCheck the award price before anything else. If it beats cash, book it yourself.
- The loungeCompare an Executive room with a standard room plus dinners out. On longer stays the lounge can pay for itself.
- Nearby optionsIf you want advisor perks, ask about a Marriott Hotels or Westin in the same city.
12 · BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
What to arrange before you arrive
Large hotels reward guests who say what they want early. A short note a week or two ahead gets passed to the right desk.
| The occasion | Anniversary, birthday, a family reunion. Big Sheratons host many events and are used to them |
|---|---|
| The wing | In Okinawa, the South Tower or an ocean-facing room; in older city hotels, a renovated floor |
| Timing | Arrival time, and whether early check-in or late check-out would help; both are subject to availability |
| Tables | The Guest House in Taipei books up; ask the hotel to hold a table |
| Activities | Zipline and glass-bottom boat times in Okinawa; spa times in the Maldives |
| Room | Bed type, a high or quiet floor, a view; upgrades are subject to availability |
- Two weeks outSend the occasion, the party and the wing you prefer.
- Three days outConfirm restaurant tables and activity times.
- On the dayAsk at check-in about lounge hours and any Gatherings that week.
13 · FIRST DAY AND CHECKLIST
A first day at any Sheraton, and who it suits
Times vary by hotel. The order below works at most Sheratons, city or resort.
- Check-inAsk about lounge hours, activity bookings and whether your floor is renovated.
- First hourWalk the lobby: the Community Table, the Studios, the coffee bar.
- AfternoonThe beach and the slide at a resort; the pool or lounge tea in the city.
- Early eveningLounge drinks, or the Sunset Bar in Okinawa.
- DinnerThe hotel's signature restaurant, booked ahead.
A good fit
- You want a central, full-service hotel with several restaurants under one roof
- You are traveling as a family or a group and want space and activities
- You hold Platinum status and want lounge evenings included
- You are going somewhere where the Sheraton is the main international hotel
A weaker fit
- You want boutique, design-led or very quiet hotels
- You want advisor perks bundled in; look at Marriott Hotels or Westin nearby
- You expect every hotel to be newly renovated; older Sheratons can feel dated
This article is written in the expected-experience style ("what you will find"). No first-hand stay is described. Advisor program details come from the Fora Advisor Portal's Marriott LUMINOUS program page and the rate panels for Sheraton Grand Taipei and Sheraton Okinawa Sunmarina, read on October 30, 2026, for December 13 to 16, 2026.
Sources: Marriott FY2025 Form 10-K (size); marriott.com Sheraton brand page and hotel pages for Taipei, Okinawa, Taitung and Taoyuan; Marriott development site (transformation count); Wikipedia (Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, Sheraton Grand Taipei, Sheraton Hsinchu, Sheraton Taitung, Sheraton Taoyuan); American Diplomacy, University of North Carolina (1984 banquet); Journal des Palaces and Hospitality Net (logo, transformation); The Points Guy (2018 overhaul); MICHELIN Guide Taiwan 2026 (The Guest House); Going Places by Malaysia Airlines (MegaZIP); Business Traveller (Osaka, Hong Kong); TTG Asia (Hong Kong, 2024); Middle East Traveller (Maldives, 2024); Scout (Kiroro); Five Star Alliance (Hiroshima, Bali Kuta); Commercial Times (New Taipei, 2026); One Mile at a Time, MyPointsLife, Prince of Travel, View from the Wing and Skift (guest experience and comparisons); a Fora advisor review of Sheraton Grand Taipei (October 2026).
Items that conflict between sources and should be confirmed: whether Sheraton was the first hotel chain on the New York Stock Exchange (Wikipedia yes, Marriott silent), whether Sheraton ran the Great Wall hotel from 1984 or 1985, the brand's hotel count (436 in the 10-K, 433 on Marriott's development site), and whether Sheraton takes part in LUMINOUS (absent from the Portal's brand list). Images are from the hotels' official galleries in the Fora Advisor Portal and are used with permission; they were not taken by the author.
Keep reading: Marriott's 39 brands, explained · Marriott vs Sheraton vs Westin · Marriott STARS and Luminous, explained