Starwood hotels and resorts and Majid Al Futtaim Properties sign deal to open Sheraton Hotel

The hotel will be directly connected to Mall of the Emirates, which is home to over 535 international brands and features the Middle East's first indoor ski slope.

"The signing of Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates Hotel is part of Starwood's strategic growth plan to open more than 60 Sheraton hotels around the world over the next three years," said Guido de Wilde, Senior Vice President and Regional Director, Middle East Region, Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

"With this hotel, we expand Starwood's footprint in Dubai and bring our most iconic brand to city's premier shopping and entertainment destination, Mall of the Emirates," he added.

Peter Walichnowski, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Properties, said, "As the regional pioneers of the shopping resort concept, which combines malls and hotels, we realise the importance of creating the right pairing of our hotel and retail assets. When looking for a new partner for our hotel at the Mall of the Emirates, it was clear that Starwood and its Sheraton brand were the perfect fit for our distinctive mix of luxury retailers and unique entertainment and leisure offerings. Starwood adds increased diversity and breadth to the hotel offerings that complement our shopping mall developments."

Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates Hotel will be located just 20 minutes from Dubai International Airport and 15 minutes away from Dubai World Trade Centre, the venue for international exhibitions and seminars. Signature Sheraton experiences will include the luxurious all-white SweetSleeper beds, the Sheraton Club Lounge, the Link@SheratonSM experienced with Microsoft and the Sheraton Fitness programmed by Core Performance.

"We are delighted to partner with Majid Al Futtaim Properties as we mark another important milestone in Starwood's expansion strategy here in Dubai and throughout the Middle East," said Neil George, Vice President Acquisitions & Development, Africa and Middle East, Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

"With the largest footprint among Starwood's portfolio and one of the world's most recognised hotel brands, Sheraton continues to emerge as a popular choice for owners and developers in primary and secondary markets throughout the Middle East," he added.

Starwood today operates close to 50 hotels and resorts in the Middle East under eight of the company's nine brands including: The Luxury Collection, St. Regis, Sheraton, Westin, W Hotels, Le Méridien, Four Points by Sheraton and Aloft. With the opening of Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates, Starwood will operate 14 hotels in Dubai representing the largest concentration of Starwood hotels in any single city outside New York.

Mall of the Emirates is a landmark development within the Majid Al Futtaim Properties portfolio and features over 535 international brands, including department, fashion, lifestyle, sports, electronics and home furnishing stores and the largest Carrefour in the City.

The compelling family leisure offerings include a Magic Planet family entertainment area, a 14-screen multiplex cinema, the world-renowned Ski Dubai, the Mall's 500-seat DUCTAC community theatre and accompanying arts centre, and over 95 coffee shops and restaurants.