Tag Archives: Starwood Hotels & Resorts

Marriott International has completed its acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, creating the world’s largest and best hotel company. Marriott Rewards – which includes the Ritz-Carlton Rewards – and SPG are the most recognized and awarded loyalty programs in hospitality. In the MEA region, their newly combined portfolio consists 238 hotels, 51,877 rooms, in 30 countries. They have effectively doubled in size overnight (from 25k rooms to almost 52k rooms). In the pipeline are a further 155 hotels and 37,677 rooms by 2025, introducing a further 5 new brands to region, namely Bulgari, EDITION, AC by Marriott, Element and Fairfield Inn. By 2025 it will be in 38 countries, almost 400 hotels, and well on its way to 100,000 rooms and further there are significant growth synergies between the brands and the combined company to focus on expending brands across the region, looking for opportunities in new markets.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has announced its further expansion in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the signing of a new Sheraton in the holy city of Makkah. Owned by Altayyar Travel Group Holding Company, Sheraton Makkah Jabal Al Kaaba is scheduled to open by the end of the year.  The hotel is located close to the new expansion of the mosque and will provide guests with special access and views of the holy Haram.  Sheraton Makkah Jabal Al Kaaba will feature 414 rooms and branded service apartments, all outfitted with the Sheraton brand’s signature amenities and services, including its premium sleep experience. The hotel will also offer four dining experiences, as well as ample meeting and events space. Altayyar Travel Group has recently taken a strategic direction to integrate and expand its business into the hospitality sector, and to build a solid portfolio complementing its current business of travel-related services and e-commerce. Starwood operates more than 50 hotels and resorts across the Middle East under eight of the company’s 10 distinct lifestyle brands, including: The Luxury Collection, St. Regis, Sheraton, Westin, W, Le Méridien, Four Points by Sheraton and Aloft.  The company is on track to operate 100 hotels in the region by 2020.

Aloft Hotels, a Starwood Hotels & Resorts brand, will soon launch its first hotels in Saudi Arabia with the 281-room Aloft Riyadh and 262-room Aloft Dhahran, both located in key city-centre locations. The hotels will also feature the country’s first-ever keyless entry system. Opening in July 2016, Aloft Riyadh will be led by General Manager, Sammy Gani. With over 20 years of hospitality experience, Gani takes on the new role following successful positions at The Westin Boston Waterfront and Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates. Titus Rosier is the General Manager for the upcoming Aloft Dhahran, scheduled to open in August 2016. Rosier has been with Starwood in various Sales roles for over 11 years and was most recently Director of Sales for the two St. Regis properties in Abu Dhabi. The two Aloft hotels will also feature SPG Keyless — Starwood’s industry-first keyless entry system that enables guests to use their smartphone or Apple watch as a room key.