Marriott International stated that Papua New Guinea has all the right ingredients for the Sheraton brand to succeed, following the soft opening of Sheraton Port Moresby Stanley Hotel & Suites.
Speaking at the launching, Vice President of Development for Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Richard Crawford, described the new Sheraton Port Moresby Stanley Hotel & Suites as “the meeting place for PNG.”
The hotel marks a four-year dialogue between Marriott International and RH Group, to bring the Sheraton brand to Papua New Guinea.
In his opening address, Mr. Crawford spoke about Marriott International’s global vision and the company’s position as the world’s largest hotel group before turning his attention to the significance of the Sheraton brand.
He described Sheraton as one of Marriott International’s loyal brands and said PNG’s time had come to join the global network.
“Now it is Papua New Guinea’s turn to raise the Sheraton flag,” Mr. Crawford said, explaining that the brand was selected for what it represents.
“Why we chose Sheraton is because it brings people together.”
Mr. Crawford said the reimagined hotel was designed to become more than a place for visitors to stay.
“This is your hotel. This is for the locals, a place to unite, to celebrate, to have fun, to work.”
RH Group’s redevelopment reflects the Sheraton brand, highlighting the hotel’s public spaces, club lounge, recreational facilities, nearly 400 guest rooms, dining venues and Papua New Guinea’s largest ballroom.
“Dining venues and the biggest ballroom in PNG. This is about connectivity. It is about bringing people together,” Mr. Crawford noted. “This is the meeting place for PNG. In that, I see some ingredients that are very important for success.”
Mr. Crawford also addressed the challenges of delivering large hospitality developments.
“We used to celebrate hotel signings. Now we only celebrate hotel openings. There is a reason for that.”
“To go from vision to opening is very, very difficult. Construction costs are high. Supply chains are challenged. RH Group got it done when other people could not.”
He further stated that the opening was being celebrated because of RH Group’s commitment to delivering the project.
Under the partnership agreement, RH Group retains full ownership while Marriott International manages its daily operations under the Sheraton brand.
“RH Group continue to own this asset. They continue to own the business. They are just throwing us the keys and saying, ‘Please run this asset for us now’- and our message to you is we will not let you down.”
In conclusion, Mr. Crawford thanked the Papua New Guinea government for its leadership and congratulated General Manager Shin Ching and the hotel staff.
“Every great hotel needs a great general manager. To Shin Ching, good luck, my friend. Congratulations on what you've done so far.”
He further acknowledged team members who had been with the hotel since it first opened in 2016 and the new staff joining the Sheraton brand, wishing them success as the hotel begins its next chapter.
