The First International Hotel Brand in Aleppo
Abu Dhabi - 12 February, 2007 - Starwood Hotels & Resorts has announced today the opening of Sheraton Aleppo Hotel in Syria, as the first international hotel brand in the city. With a total investment of US$ 40 million, the newly built 199-room Sheraton Aleppo is owned by Bab Al Faraj for Tourism and Hotels, and will be operated by Starwood under its flagship brand Sheraton.
"We are very excited with the opening of Sheraton Aleppo as an additional milestone in our portfolio in Syria; and proof of our continued interest in expanding our footprints in the fast growing Middle East region", said Roeland Vos, President, Starwood Europe, Africa & Middle East.
"Sheraton has been the pioneer brand to enter the Middle East region, since the opening of Sheraton Kuwait over 40 years ago. Sheraton Aleppo will be, with no doubt, the flagship hotel of Aleppo and will be confidently positioned as the market leader", said Guido de Wilde, Vice President, Regional Director, Starwood Middle East.
Ideally located in Aleppo's vibrant city center in Bab Al Faraj district, the hotel is the perfect point from where to explore the historical city of Aleppo. It is steps away from the Cultural Quarter, the business financial and Entertainment districts and the city's greater attractions including Aleppo Citadel, Omayyad Mosque, National Museum, Public Park and the Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions. The hotel is also just 15 minutes ( 10 KM ) from Aleppo International Airport.
Sheraton Aleppo welcomes travelers to the Silk Route in its first year of operation in 2007 with 199 tastefully decorated guest rooms and suites, fully furnished with Sheraton signature Sweet Sleeper Beds. The hotel also offers three restaurants including The Silk Road Mediterranean Restaurant, Leonardo's Italian Restaurant and Ikebana, serving Asian cuisine, two bars including an English style Pub. It also boasts state of the art recreational facilities including swimming pool, health club, Turkish Bath and a large shopping arcade.
Ideally positioned for business travelers, the hotel offers wireless connectivity in all its public areas, four flexible meeting rooms and two banquet halls, totaling 810 square meters, ideal for small to midsize meetings and events.
With the opening of Sheraton Aleppo, Starwood's portfolio in Syria expands to six properties including the Sheraton Damascus Hotel & Towers (272 rooms), Le Meridien Damascus (325 rooms), Le Meridien Lattakia (272 rooms) and Sheraton Ma`Aret Sednaya Hotel & Resort (107 rooms).
Aleppo is the second city of Syria, 350 km north of the capital Damascus, and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in history, dating back to at least 1000 BC. Aleppo is famous for its historic eye-catching mosques, churches and tombs which are testament to the ancient history of the city. The city's architecture is a homogeneous combination of modern and traditional styles. The most famous of Aleppo's attractions is the Citadel, from where all of the city can be seen. The city has a particularly interesting collection of Islamic antiquities including the great Umayyad Mosque and city walls, incorporating defense towers and fortified gates.
Visitors to this region of Syria can also experience the Silk Road Festival held every year in September, a trip to the Middle East's longest covered souk, a visit to one of the Levant region's oldest Mosques and relaxing in a traditional Syrian Hammam (bath house).
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Note to the Editors
Sheraton, the largest brand of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) has more than 394 hotels in 65 countries. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 850 properties in more than 95 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, W, Le Mridien and the recently announced aloftSM and ELEMENTSM Hotels. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com/pressclub
For More information, please contact:
Maha Saad
Regional Director of Public Relations
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Middle East
Tel: +202 748 2301
Email: maha.saad@starwoodhotels.com
Mouna ouni
PR Manager
Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort
© Press Release 2007
