Hilton Worldwide has announced the opening of its 11th branded hotel in the UAE and its first in Sharjah.

Hilton Sharjah, a 259-room property, is a conversion of the former Corniche Al Buhaira Hotel and overlooks Sharjah's biggest lagoon.

Rob Palleschi, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts said: "We're delighted to open our first Sharjah hotel in such a prime location and at a time when increasing numbers of business and leisure travellers are staying in the Emirate of Sharjah."

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Hilton Sharjah will offer guests three swimming pools, a health club, two restaurants, a lobby lounge and a café.

The hotel will also offer seven meeting rooms, a business centre and a ballroom with a capacity of 500.

Rudi Jagersbacher, president, Hilton Worldwide Middle East & Africa said: "Sharjah offers a unique business and leisure opportunity that complements traditional, authentic Emirati culture with the vibrancy of a dynamic industrial and commercial centre.

"The emirate is also home to a number of major global events including the annual F1 Powerboat Racing, Sharjah International Book Fair and international test cricket matches, all helping to strengthen Sharjah's growing tourism position in the region."

On behalf of property owners Bin Otaiba Investment Group, Khalaf Bin Ahmed Al Otaiba added: "We've been eagerly anticipating the hotel's conversion into the Hilton brand and we're delighted the property will now bear the name of such a recognised global leader."

Earlier this month, Hilton Worldwide said it has the largest number of hotels in active development across the Middle East and Africa as it looks for strong growth in the region.

The hotel operator said it has a total of 12,349 rooms in 35 properties in active construction.

Hilton Worldwide added that it will be "aggressively expanding" its presence in the region in the next two to three years.