TAMPA, FL—Interstate Hotels & Resorts completed a $9 million renovation of the former Crowne Plaza hotel and its subsequent conversion to the Sheraton Tampa East Hotel.

The hotel was acquired last fall by a joint venture between Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Waramaug Hospitality LLC, and a private investment group.

Interstate operates the Sheraton Tampa East Hotel under a long-term management agreement. Waramaug Hospitality Asset Managemen, LLC provided project and asset management for the renovation and conversion to the Sheraton brand.

Jay Litt, asset manager for Waramaug Hospitality Asset Management, LLC, said, “We wanted the conversion to be completed in time for the Republican National Convention this summer and our team was able to finish the work with time to spare.”

The renovation included upgrades to all 265 guestrooms, the property’s 30,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and all public areas, including adapting the hotel’s reception area to Sheraton’s signature lobby, the Link@Sheraton® experience. Additional amenities include the fully renovated, full-service restaurant, Panfilio’s Bar and Grille, Sheraton Club Lounge, an outdoor heated pool, tennis courts and upgraded fitness facility featuring the brand’s Sheraton Fitness programmed by Core Performance.

All guestrooms feature oversize work desks, custom-designed ergonomic chairs, high-speed Internet access, LCD flat-panel televisions, MP3 docking stations and the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper bed. Sheraton Tampa East Hotel’s 30,000 sq. ft.  of meeting and event space includes a 5,000-sq.-ft. ballroom, 24 meeting rooms and a poolside pavilion for receptions.