Starwood to debut in Sharjah
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Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has signed an agreement with the Deputy Ruler of the emirate of Sharjah, HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Salem Al Qassimi, to manage its first hotel in Sharjah, UAE. The Sheraton Sharjah will open beginning of 2013, marking the debut of Starwood in the emirate.
Starwood currently operates 20 hotels in the UAE represented by six of its nine brands. The company has plans to expand its portfolio with 10 new hotels in the country over the next few years.
According to Roeland Vos, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa, Middle East (EAME), entering Sharjah is part of the company’s commitment to growth in the Middle East and focus on emerging markets. “We are delighted to be working with Sheikh Abdullah as we introduce Starwood to Sharjah with our most iconic brand. With the new commitment to tourism developed by the government, Sharjah is set to become a major travel destination in the region, offering culture and tradition as well as sunshine, beaches and shopping,” Vos said.
Located on Al Muntazah Beach in the north of the emirate, Sheraton Sharjah will offer 343 oceanfront rooms including 48 suites. The hotel will also offer an all-day dining restaurant, a seafood restaurant, a Persian speciality restaurant, and a pool/beach grill on a private beach. The hotel’s business facilities include six meeting rooms and two ballrooms, one of which at 850m2 will be the largest hotel ballroom in the emirate. The hotel will also feature the Link@Sheraton concept with Microsoft, a communications hub.
HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Salem Al Qassimi, said: “We look forward to a very fruitful association with Starwood and we are confident that, through this association, the Sheraton Sharjah Hotel and Resort shall be one of the leading destinations in the U.A.E. and Gulf Area.”
Located 10km from Sharjah International Airport and 15km from Dubai International Airport, the resort’s design of the hotel reflects traditional architecture with wind-tower features, landscaped courtyard and pool areas.
Architectural and engineering consultancy for the hotel was provided by QHC – Architects and Engineers, a UAE-based consultancy firm.
Sharjah was the first emirate in the UAE to focus on international tourism, developing as a beach destination some 40 years ago. While it has since expanded as an industrial and shipping hub, the emirate also features numerous museums and cultural centres.
Sheraton Sharjah Hotel & Resort is Starwood’s sixth Sheraton hotel in the UAE, joining the iconic Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort, Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers, Sheraton Deira Hotel, Sheraton Khalidiya Hotel and Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort & Towers. Starwood currently operates nearly 50 hotels in the Middle East under eight of the company’s nine brands, and plans to open additional hotels under its Sheraton brand in Pakistan and Oman in next three years.
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