ABU DHABI, UAE—Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has signed an agreement to open a new 172-room Aloft hotel in Al Ain, the second largest city in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Scheduled to debut in 2016, Aloft Al Ain will be the first Starwood property to open in Al Ain and the second Aloft hotel in the UAE joining Aloft Abu Dhabi, which opened in 2009.
Aloft Al Ain will be an integral part of the city’s 500,000 square meter, mixed-use development surrounding the 25,000-seat Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium. The development will include office space, residential units, family entertainment, retail shops and dining.
Aloft Al Ain will feature 172 loft-like rooms, including two presidential suites, all featuring the brand’s signature loft-like ceilings and walk-in showers. The newly constructed Aloft will also offer the brand’s signature W XYZ bar. Additional amenities will include the RE:Charge fitness center and RE:Fuel by Aloft, a grab-n-go kiosk with an array of sweet, savory and healthy food, snacks and drinks available 24 hours a day. For meetings and presentations, the new Aloft will offer two spaces equipped with the latest audiovisual technology.
“We see great opportunities to grow our Aloft portfolio in established markets across the Middle East, where there is a strong demand for stylish and leading-edge hotel brands,” stated Bart Carnahan, SVP, acquisitions & development, Europe, Africa and Middle East Division, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “As the second largest city in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi with increasing investment and growing business and leisure opportunities, Al Ain is an attractive destination for development.”