Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has signed an agreement with Jabal Omar Development Company to open three new hotels in Makkah.

Starwood will add 1,496 rooms to the city under the company’s Sheraton, Westin and Four Points by Sheraton brands when the hotels open in 2015. Starwood currently operates 10 properties in Saudi Arabia, the second largest market for the company in the Middle East behind the UAE.

“We are delighted to work with Jabal Omar Development Company as we introduce the Sheraton, Westin and Four Points by Sheraton brands to the holy city of Makkah,” said Michael Wale, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East.

“As business travel and religious tourism continue to expand in Saudi Arabia, we believe the time is right to expand our portfolio in the country.”

Abdul Rahman Abdul Qadir Fakieh, chairman of the board for Jabal Omar Development Company said: “We believe the addition of these hotels is in line with the goal of the Jabal Omar Development to improve and urbanize the central area surrounding Al Haram and provide much needed facilities and accommodations for pilgrims.”

Al Haram, the Jabal Omar Development, is a 230,000 sq m mixed-use development in Makkah comprises of 38 high-rise buildings. With 26 hotels and over 11,000 rooms, the complex is one of the largest hotel developments in the world.

Sheraton Makkah Hotel

The Sheraton Makkah Hotel will have 532 guest rooms and suites featuring the all-white Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed. The hotel will also feature five food and beverage venues, including two large buffet restaurants to suit the schedules of guests.

Other signature offerings at the Sheraton Makkah Hotel include the Sheraton Club Lounge and Link@Sheraton experience with Microsoft in the lobby, a unique social and communications hub delivering the technology guests expect and require while on the road. Sheraton Fitness Programmed by Core Performance will feature separate gym equipment and training facilities. The hotel will also offer over 185 sq m of meeting and event space.

Westin Makkah Hotel

Westin Makkah will feature 513 guest rooms and suites outfitted with the renowned Westin Heavenly Bed and the Heavenly Bath. Westin Makkah will offer two large buffet restaurants for guests, as well as a speciality restaurant and two lounges.

Signature experiences include the Heavenly Spa by Westin and the Westin Workout, offering fitness facilities with state-of-the-art equipment. The hotel will also offer more than 232 sq m of ultra-modern meeting and function space.

Four Points by Sheraton Makkah Hotel

With more than 170 hotels around the world, the Four Points by Sheraton brand has solidified its place as Starwood’s third largest brand with the second-biggest global pipeline.

Four Points by Sheraton Makkah will feature 451 comfortable guest rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, a lounge, a business center and over 92 sq m of meeting and event space.

“This landmark project, featuring three of our lifestyle brands, marks an important milestone for Starwood in the Middle East,” said Bart Carnahan, senior vice president Acquisitions & Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East.

“With eight hotels in the pipeline in the next three years, we are set to nearly double our portfolio in Saudi Arabia.”

Starwood operates close to 50 hotels and resorts across the Middle East under eight of the company’s nine distinct lifestyle brands including: The Luxury Collection, St. Regis, Sheraton, Westin, W Hotels, Le Méridien, Four Points by Sheraton and Aloft. – TradeArabia News Service