DUBAI – March 14, 2013 – Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) and Majid Al Futtaim Properties today celebrated the opening of Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates Hotel. With this opening, Starwood now operates 14 hotels in Dubai, representing the highest concentration of Starwood hotels in any individual city outside of New York. Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates Hotel is directly connected to Dubai’s leading shopping destination, Mall of the Emirates, which features more than 560 international retail brands and is also home to the iconic Ski Dubai snow dome.
“Sheraton has a long history in the Middle East, spanning over 50 years and it continues to be one of the most sought-after hotel brands in the region,” said Hoyt Harper, Global Brand Leader for Sheraton Hotels & Resorts. “With the opening of Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates Hotel, our brand portfolio in the region is stronger than ever and globally, we are anticipating record-breaking growth with plans to open our 500th Sheraton hotel by 2015.”
Peter Walichnowski, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Properties, said: “Sheraton’s international standards and impressive track record in the region make it a perfect fit for Mall of the Emirates, which houses a unique range of high-end retail, leisure and entertainment concepts. The hotel will be a fantastic addition to our hospitality portfolio and will complement our offerings at Mall of the Emirates, which was ranked as the seventh most lucrative shopping mall in the world by the International Council of Shopping Centres.”
Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates Hotel comprises of 481 guest rooms, including 94 suites, as well as close to 9,000 square-feet of ultra-modern meeting and event space. The hotel offers four restaurants and lounges, including: Sanabel, a Mediterranean restaurant; Sodabox, an American retro 1950s café; Vantage, a contemporary urban lounge; and Sanctuary Pool Lounge, boasting panoramic views.
As the newest Sheraton in the region, Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates Hotel offers an unrivalled signature experience. This includes all-white Sheraton Sweet SleeperTM Beds in all guest-rooms, the Sheraton Club Lounge, the executive business centre – The Link@SheratonSM Experienced with Microsoft® and Sheraton Fitness Programmed by Core® Performance, with state-of-the-art gym equipment and training. Guests can also pamper themselves in the Sanctuary Spa with its wide range of innovative spa treatments.
Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates Hotel is conveniently located 30 minutes from the Dubai International Airport and 20 minutes from Dubai World Trade Centre. This opening marks Starwood’s 16th Sheraton hotel in the Middle East since the debut of the company in the region with the Sheraton Kuwait in 1966.
“The addition of Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates Hotel into the Sheraton and Starwood portfolios is a testament to the confidence owners have in Starwood and our brands,” said Bart Carnahan, Senior Vice President Acquisitions & Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa & Middle East. “The Sheraton portfolio and pipeline is the strongest it has ever been and we look forward to both new-build and conversion opportunities for the brand throughout the Middle East.”
