Source: Starwood Hotels & Resorts - June 30, 2011
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announces plans to further expand its presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the opening of two new hotels which will add more than 450 rooms to the city of Medina. Owned by Saudi Brothers Commercial co., the Sheraton Medina Hotel and Four Points by Sheraton Medina are both scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2012.
“We are delighted to extend our longstanding relationship with our partner Saudi Brothers Commercial as we introduce the Sheraton and Four Points brands to Medina”, said Guido de Wilde, Senior Vice President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Middle East. “Starwood’s continued expansion throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia underlines our commitment to continued growth in this region. This beautiful city is rich in culture and history and we are confident that the facilities and services offered by our new hotels will be appreciated by the pilgrims visiting the Holy City of Medina.”
Situated in the heart of the Holy city, both the Sheraton Medina and the Four Points by Sheraton Medina are only 150 metres from the Prophet’s Mosque, ensuring maximum convenience for hotel guests. The Sheraton Medina guest rooms will also feature views of the Prophet’s Mosque and Plaza. The central location enables easy access to the Jannat al-Baqi (Garden of Heaven), one of the focal areas during the annual Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage.
“At Saudi Brothers Commercial Company, we are committed to expanding the tourism infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. For many years, our strategic alliance with Starwood has been very successful in Jeddah and we are keen to expand this relationship through the development of the two new Starwood properties in Medina.” said Sheikh Fahad Al-Nowaiser, Chief Executive Officer of Saudi Brothers Commercial Company.
The new Sheraton Medina Hotel will comprise 297 rooms, all with SweetSleeper™ beds, an all-day dining restaurant, Sheraton Fitness programmed with Core Performance, Sheraton Club rooms and Lounge and a meeting room. The hotel will also feature Sheraton’s signature Link@SheratonSM experienced with Microsoft, a unique communications hub delivering the technology modern guests expect and require while on the road.
Located adjacent to the Sheraton Medina Hotel, the new Four Points by Sheraton Medina will comprise 178 rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, fitness centre and a business centre. The hotel will also feature all the brand’s signature elements, including the Four Points by Sheraton Four Comfort Bed and free Wi-Fi access in public areas which reflect the brand’s promise and insight into the needs of today’s traveller.
Both hotels will offer the Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG) programme, which made headlines when it launched in 1999 with a breakthrough policy of no blackout dates on “Free Night Awards.” SPG offers members the ability to redeem awards at over 1,000 hotels and resorts worldwide, at more resorts, more luxury properties, more European hotels and more golf properties than any other hotel programme.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts currently operates 10 hotels in Saudi Arabia under the Sheraton, Westin and Le Meridien brands. The Sheraton Medina Hotel is Starwood’s fourth Sheraton hotel in KSA joining the Sheraton Jeddah Hotel, Sheraton Riyadh Hotel & Towers and Sheraton Dammam Hotel & Towers. The opening of the Four Points by Sheraton Medina will mark the debut of the brand in Saudi Arabia with the Four Points by Sheraton Jeddah and Four Points by Sheraton Al Khobar currently under development.
