Home away from home and state of the art

JENNIFER BUHR Director General of Sheraton Lisboa

SITUATED in the heart of Portugal’s capital within easy reach of travel facilities, government offices, banks, shops and entertainment, Sheraton Lisboa is a popular choice for visiting business people and conference organizers.
“We believe in creating a home away from home for our customers, in addition to staying one step ahead of the competition with regard to service, innovative ways of doing things and technological features,” says Jennifer Buhr, the hotel’s Director General.
Panoramic views across the city and gourmet food add to the attraction, while on the top floors of the hotel, the Sheraton Towers offer an extra level of luxury, with personalized service, exclusive access to the Towers lounge and butler service.
The hotel has 375 rooms and suites. The rooms are divided into three classes—Classic, Smart and Tower. All are air-conditioned and have satellite TV, including TV message view and checkout and voice-mail.

For business clients, there is a recently introduced business and communication center, fitted with state-of-the-art audio-visual accessories. The meeting rooms are designed to complement the hotel’s existing Smart bedrooms, which are designed to allow guests to work from their rooms.
“But life at the Sheraton is not only about work,” Ms. Buhr is quick to add, “as our Towers concept, a small luxury hotel on top of a business hotel, clearly proves. It’s well-known for the service and facilities provided.”

FINE SIGHT Panoramic views across Lisbon and gourmet food are among the attractions of the Sheraton

The key to the Sheraton’s success is the personal approach. “We try to meet as many customers as possible during their stay with us and ascertain how well we are meeting their expectations,” she says. This extends to a regular guest cocktail party at which the hotel team gets to meet with guests.

The hotel’s guest loyalty scheme—known as Starwood Preferred Guest, or SPG—was voted Program of the Year for the third consecutive time during the prestigious annual Freddie Awards for best frequent travel programs, earlier this year. SPG members are up-graded to a Towers room or suite whenever availability allows.
Despite recent setbacks to the Portuguese economy and the effect of 9/11 on the industry worldwide, the Sheraton expects to meet its forecasts for the year.
“The hospitality industry has been challenged, but we believe that our predictions will be met,” says Ms. Buhr.“Forecasts for 2003 indicate a stabilization of the economy and 2004 should be very positive, due among other things to the 2004 European soccer championship being held here.
“Portugal is a wonderful country, and should be promoted as one of the foremost European tourist destinations,” she adds.