Sheraton Acquires and Upgrades 600-Key Marriott Hotel in Downtown Memphis

By Eliza Theiss, Associate Editor

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. announced the addition of the former Marriott Hotel at 250 North Main Street in downtown Memphis to its rapidly growing Sheraton brand. Renamed Sheraton Memphis Downtown Hotel, the 600-key property is undergoing a multi-million dollar value-add renovation to implement the full range of Sheraton brand amenities.

A prime downtown hotel asset, the property is connected to Memphis Cook Convention Center, and within walking distance of the Beale Street entertainment district – the home of the blues, the historic Main Street Trolley. The hotel is also close to attractions such as the Orpheum Theater, the National Civil Rights Museum, Liberty Bowl Memorial stadium, FedEx Forum, the Mississippi Riverfront and Graceland.

Following reconversion and renovation, Sheraton Memphis Downtown Hotel’s amenities will include 14,000 square-feet of high-tech, flexible meeting space, indoor pool with outside balcony, and a fitness facility featuring the signature Sheraton fitness program designed by the brand’s partner Core Performance. Other amenities will include a full-service restaurant and lounge, a Sheraton Club Lounge and the trademark Link@Sheraton lobby social hub. Rooms will be upgraded to feature LCD flat panel television, high-speed Internet, oversized work desk and ergonomic chair.

Davidson Hotel & Resorts, an award-winning, full-service hotel management company that is knowledgeable of the the Memphis market, and well-versed in managing four-star meeting hotels, has been appointed property manager. The Sheraton Memphis Downtown Hotel is owned by Host Hotels & Resorts Inc., the largest lodging REIT and one of the largest owners of luxury and upper-upscale hotels.

“The multi-million dollar enhancement project they have planned is impressive,” declared Mayor A.C. Wharton, while also praising Sheraton for selecting a management company with local ties. “It will provide visitors to Memphis with high-quality accommodations and first-rate meeting space that aligns well with other things we are doing to make Memphis a City of Choice, and to focus on growing the city to prosperity.”

The adjacent Memphis Cook Convention Center (MCCC) features over 160,000 square feet of meeting space. The largest space, a column-free 125,000-square-foot ballroom/exhibit hall can be split into three smaller halls. Its features five column-free ballrooms which can be joined into one. Five meeting rooms, a pre-event foyer and an outdoor terrace complement it. The 35,000-square-foot South Hall is complete with truck-access tunnel, direct access to parking and exhibitor storage area.

The Mezzanine Level of the MCCC is comprised of seven fully-equipped, self-contained meeting rooms which connect via skywalk to the Sheraton Memphis Downtown Hotel. The lobby level offers a further nine meeting rooms seating 25 to 300, a grand lobby suitable for receptions and well as a lounge area. The MCCC boasts a four-level car park totaling 910 spaces with an additional nine 40-foot truck parking spots. The 2,100-seat Cannon Center for Performing Arts and its 28,000-square-foot Cannon Center Ballroom are located adjacent to the MCCC.

Photo courtesy of Sheraton Memphis Downtown Hotel’s Facebook page