Starwood Hotels & Resorts is expanding its specialty select portfolio with four new hotel agreements in Dubai under its Aloft and Element brands. These signings increase the company’s specialty select pipeline to 11 announced deals so far this year and account for more than half of Starwood’s Middle East development pipeline.
Expected to open in 2018, the four Aloft properties and one Element hotel will together provide 816 guestrooms across Dubai, supporting the emirate’s push to grow hotel capacity in the lead-up to the Dubai World Expo 2020. In the Middle East, Aloft is driving Starwood’s expansion in the mid-market segment and is projected to expand as much as fourfold by 2019. The brand aims to reshape the category with urban-inspired, contemporary design and lively social spaces that deliver distinctive guest experiences.
“Aloft and Element are redefining hospitality, and we are pleased to broaden our footprint in the market by bringing these brands into parts of Dubai where Starwood does not yet operate,” said Bart Carnahan, senior vice president, acquisitions & development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe.