Starwood Hotels and Resorts plans to maintain and extend its existing Middle East portfolio from 50 hotels to 70 hotels in the next five years. The Middle East is going to be the first region outside the North American continent to accept all nine of the company’s brands. Currently, presented in the region are only three of its brands: Sheraton, W and Le Méridien. Other Starwood’s brands include St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, Element and Aloft.
In keeping with its plans to expand in the Middle East, Starwood continues to introduce new brands in the region’s high profile waterfront destinations and vibrant downtown areas. Last year, the company finished its first Aloft hotel in Abu Dhabi. This modern-style mid-market hotel has become the starting point for the brand’s further Middle East expansion. One more Aloft hotel is set to open in Riyadh in 2013.
In following its strategy aimed as satisfying the demand for mid-market hotels, Starwood plans to open Element Abu Dhabi hotel in 2012. However, upscale segment remains the company’s paramount direction. The company has already set a pipeline of five new St. Regis luxury hotels to open in the following three years in Bahrain, Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.