Four Israeli “Sheraton” hotels will as of June 2009 lost their affiliation with the international Sheraton chain.

According to a Yediot Achronot report, the Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. which owns the Sheratons, is dropping the Jerusalem Sheraton Plaza, Sheraton Tiveria, Sheraton Eilat and Sheraton Moriah Tel Aviv, all owned by Shai Boymelgreen. Two other hotels, the Sheraton City Tower and Sheraton Tel Aviv will remain members of the chain.

Sheraton officials explain the decision is aimed at preserving the standard of the international hotel chain, explaining the four listed are simply not maintaining the standard required to continue carrying the prestigious name. The report adds that another contributory factor is undoubtedly the fact that the hotels have not paid franchise fees for a number of months.

In addition to the Yediot report, the announced move may be in line with reports that Boymelgreen is “in trouble” and he is working diligently to sell some or all of the hotels.

Sheraton officials add that once they are no longer affiliated with the international chain, the hotels will not appear on the online reservations system and points and other perks offered members will not be applicable in those hotels.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)