Friday, Apr 27, 2012
Gulf News
Dubai Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide will manage Al Habtoor’s new hotel project bringing three of their brands together in Dubai, Mohammad Al Habtoor, vice-chairman and CEO of Al Habtoor Group, announced yesterday.
The Al Habtoor Palace, located on a one million square-foot property on Shaikh Zayed Road, which is scheduled for handover in 2017, will include the first St Regis hotel in Dubai, a W Hotel and a new Westin, adding 1,675 rooms with a value of Dh4.8 billion.
Starwood currently operates 15 properties in Dubai, the second largest concentration of the company’s hotels in a single city outside New York.
“The demolition work is going on and in May they will start excavation to put on the structures for the new project, expecting it to be finalised in 45 months,” Al Habtoor said.
“We are delighted to partner with Al Habtoor Group in this ambitious development which marks an important milestone for us in Dubai,” said Roeland Vos, President of Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East.
“Dubai has surged over the years as a top destination for international travellers.”
Moreover, Al Habtoor said the size of the company’s investment in the hospitality sector had reached almost Dh12 billion including the three hotels, in addition to the Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts, which is under construction in the Palm Dubai.
“The tourism industry in the UAE and Dubai is constantly growing, and we have to be prepared to cater for the growing needs of its visitors and residents alike,” he added.
By Zaher Bitar?Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2012. All rights reserved.
