Starwood Returns to Irak with Sheraton Erbil Hotel

Erbil (Iraq) 30 April 2012 – Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has signed an agreement with BCD Co. to manage a new-build Sheraton hotel in Erbil, Iraq. Scheduled to open in 2015, the Sheraton Erbil Hotel will mark the re-entry of Starwood in the country after 20 years.

Located in the new part of the city, approximately 10 minutes from Erbil International Airport, the Sheraton Erbil Hotel is situated along the new ring road offering guests easy access to the city and its key attractions such as the historic Citadel, Sami Abdul Rahman Park, the largest green area in the region, and downtown Erbil.

“We are delighted to partner with BCD as we re-introduce Starwood to Iraq with Sheraton, our most iconic brand,” said Roeland Vos, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East. “The opening of the new Sheraton Erbil Hotel further underlines Starwood’s commitment to growth and expansion in the region.”

Mr. Saad Aldoski, Partner, BCD Co. commented: “We are excited to work with Starwood and the Sheraton brand on our first hotel development in Erbil. We believe that our partnership with a globally recognised hotel operator such as Starwood will set new hospitality milestones in Iraq and that Sheraton’s strong reputation will assist in further supporting Erbil as the country’s commercial hub.”

The new Sheraton Erbil Hotel will comprise 221 guest rooms and 39 suites. The hotel will also feature extensive dining, conference and leisure facilities as well as signature Sheraton amenities including the all-white Sheraton Sweet Sleeper® bed, a Sheraton Club Lounge and Sheraton Fitness programmed by Core Performance as well as a signature spa, including an indoor and outdoor pool.

The hotel’s business facilities will feature a 720-square metre ballroom, a conference centre, four meeting rooms and a business centre including six private offices. The hotel will also feature Link@SheratonSM experienced with Microsoft, a unique communications hub delivering the technology modern guests expect and require while on the road.

Located in northern Iraq, Erbil is the capital of the Kurdistan Autonomous Region and is emerging as the country’s commercial hub. The city is served by Erbil International Airport with a growing number of international airlines connecting through Erbil.

Starwood currently operates close to 50 hotels in the Middle East, which includes 16 Sheraton hotels. The company is set to open more than 30 hotels in the region over the next few years. In addition to the Sheraton Erbil Hotel, this will include five Sheraton hotels including one in Saudi Arabia, two properties in Pakistan as well as the Sheraton Dubai Sheikh Zayed Road Hotel and Sheraton Sharjah Hotel & Resort in the United Arab Emirates.

About Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
Sheraton helps guests make connections at more than 400 properties in 70 countries around the world and recently completed a $6 billion global revitalization and is now in the midst of a $5 billion global expansion over the next three years. Sheraton is owned by and is the largest and most global brand of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1090 properties in 100 countries and territories with 154,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, and Element SM. The company boasts one of the industry’s leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts.

Media Contact:
Jenni Benzaquen
Director Public Relations
Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Europe, Africa & Middle East
t +32 2 204 5494
Jenni.Benzaquen@starwoodhotels.com