Frits van Paasschen CEO of Starwood Hotels Resorts Worldwide with H H Sheikh Abdullah Bin Salem Al Qassimi. Frits van Paasschen CEO of Starwood Hotels Resorts Worldwide with H H Sheikh Abdullah Bin Salem Al Qassimi.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has signed an agreement with the Deputy Ruler of the emirate of Sharjah, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Salem Al Qassimi, to manage its first hotel in Sharjah.

The new Sheraton Sharjah will open beginning of 2013 and the company plans to expand its portfolio with ten new hotels in the country scheduled to open over the next few years.

According to Roeland Vos, president, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa, Middle East (EAME), entering Sharjah is part of the company’s commitment to growth in the Middle East and focus on emerging markets.

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“We are delighted to be working with Sheikh Abdullah as we introduce Starwood to Sharjah with our most iconic brand,” he said.

“With the new commitment to tourism developed by the government, Sharjah is set to become a major travel destination in the region, offering culture and tradition as well as sunshine, beaches and shopping.”

Located on Al Muntazah Beach in the north of the emirate, Sheraton Sharjah will offer 343 ocean front rooms including 48 suites. The hotel will feature an all-day dining restaurant, a seafood restaurant, a Persian speciality restaurant, and a pool/beach grill on a private beach. The hotel’s business facilities will include a suite of six meeting rooms, and two ballrooms, one of which at 850 square metres will be the largest hotel ballroom in the emirate.

The hotel will also feature Link@SheratonSM experienced with Microsoft, a unique communications hub delivering the technology modern guests expect and require while on the road.

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Salem Al Qassimi expressed his pleasure at signing the management agreement with Starwood and said: “We look forward to a very fruitful association with Starwood and we are confident that, through this association, the Sheraton Sharjah Hotel and Resort shall be one of the leading destinations in the U.A.E. and Gulf Area.”