Mega-merger in hotel space has local implications

The Marriott Group completed its acquisition of Starwood Hotels this weekend, in a merger that creates the world's largest hotel chain.  The Sheraton Laguna Guam Resort and the Westin Guam Resort are now part of the new mega-company umbrella, and Monday marked the official Asia-Pacific kickoff.   

The combined represents 11 million rooms and 5,700 properties in more than 110 countries.  Customers of the chain's three major loyalty programs:  Marriott Rewards, Ritz-Carlton Rewards, and Starwood Preferred Guests, will now be able to use their memberships across the different programs.

Sheraton Guam general manager Ben Cruz said, "So they will still be able to use their points, they can use them, let's say I can use my Marriott at Starwood, at properties that are formerly Starwood, and vice-versa. So they will still be able to use theirs, and they can link them together effective today," he explained.

Cruz says there are no plans to rebrand the Sheraton here, and as far as he knows The Westin either.  The merged hotel group now boasts 30 different brands. But the company says the combination is about more than just adding scale,  it's about providing an unprecedented choice in hospitality and guest experience, adding, "I want to just say thank you to all of our loyal Starwood customers and members. And we look forward to continuing to work with them under Marriott but still offering the best of everything and  even more."

The Guam Sheraton is owned by KenCorp of Japan, and the Guam Westin property is owned by the Hyundai Corporation of Korea.