DUBAI—During the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) here, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. revealed its plans to grow its portfolio in the Middle East to 100 hotels by 2020. This follows five new deal signings that will add over 1,200 rooms in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Starwood will also open five hotels in 2016 across the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
“The Middle East continues to be one of Starwood’s fastest growing markets and we are immensely committed to the trust that owners have in our world-class brands,” said Michael Wale, president of Starwood, Europe, Africa and Middle East. “Our long-established presence in the region, and the value we deliver, has set us ahead to further expand our footprint and strengthen our guest loyalty.”
“We continue to strengthen Starwood’s leadership position in the Middle East through an aggressive growth strategy that will increase our footprint by 75% in the next five years,” said Simon Turner, president of global development for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. “Our flexible development approach, differentiated brands, loyal customer base and proven ability to drive asset value has made Starwood the ideal partner for developers in the region.”
These signings come on the heels of Starwood’s Europe, Africa and Middle East leadership conference in March in Doha, where the company operates some of the capital’s most hotels. Starwood will double its current portfolio in Qatar and diversify its brand presence when these two hotels open in Lusail by the end of 2018.
Owned by United Developers Company LLC, the two hotels will add 650 rooms in Qatar’s city of the future that will host the World Cup 2022’s opening and closing ceremonies. Part of a Parisian inspired mixed-use development, Place Vendôme, the hotels will be directly connected to a shopping center featuring more than 400 different fashion and F&B outlets.
Scheduled to open in 2020, the Four Points by Sheraton Jeddah will be the first Four Points to open in the city. The hotel will feature 180 rooms.
Starwood will make its entry into Unaizah in Saudi Arabia with the signing of Four Points by Sheraton Unaizah. Signed with Unaizah Investment Company, the hotel will open in 2020.
Starwood continues to expand its footprint in the UAE with its first hotel in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. Signed with Hamarain Real Estate LLC, Four Points by Sheraton Ras Al Khaimah will offer 300 rooms and serviced apartments and four F&B outlets when it opens in 2019.