Starwood expands presence in Saudi Arabia with the signing of world’s largest Four Points by Sheraton

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. today announced an agreement with Sulaiman Abdulaziz Al Rajhi Real Estate Investments Company LLC, to launch Four Points by Sheraton Makkah Al Naseem. Scheduled to open in Q2 2016, the hotel will be the brand’s largest property globally with over 1,000 rooms and will be located in the Al Naseem district on the outskirts of central Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

“We are delighted to announce the opening of our largest Four Points property in Makkah, in partnership with Sulaiman Abdulaziz Al Rajhi Real Estate Investments Company.  As religious travel continues to grow in Saudi Arabia, Four Points is the perfect brand to meet the rising demand for affordable yet innovative accommodation options in Makkah,” said Michael Wale, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East. “With ten operating hotels in the country and nine in the pipeline, Saudi Arabia is our second largest market in the Middle East and we look forward to more growth opportunities in the Kingdom. 

The new Four Points will offer 1,139 rooms, seven food & beverage outlets across 16,000sqm and easy access to the central area of the city through a direct road tunnel from the hotel. Guests will enjoy all of the brand’s popular amenities including the signature Four Points by Sheraton bed, complimentary bottled water, and fast and free Wi-Fi in all public areas

The Four Points brand’s approach provides travellers with everything that matters the most such as timeless design, uncomplicated comfort and a genuine and friendly approach to hospitality and service. Reflecting the brand’s promise and insight into the needs of today’s traveller, the hotel will also offer all of the brand’s signature elements, including the exclusive Four Points Four Comfort bed and free bottled water in all guest rooms and fast and free Wi-Fi in all public areas.

The Four Points brand boasts Starwood’s largest and fastest growing development pipeline, fuelled by its widespread, global appeal to guests and flexible development options.  Four Points Makkah Al Naseem will be the first mid-market brand from Starwood to operate in Makkah, diversifying and expanding the company’s offering in the holy city.

“Our mid-market brands are experiencing unprecedented growth in the Middle East, representing fifty per cent of the company’s pipeline in the region,” said Neil George, Senior Vice President, Acquisitions and Development, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Africa and Middle East. “Along with Four Points by Sheraton Makkah Al Naseem, we will introduce Four Points in Sharjah, Erbil and Jeddah, where there is a strong demand for hotels that cater to the modern, everyday traveller.”

Starwood operates 50 hotels and resorts across the Middle East under eight of the company’s 10 distinct lifestyle brands including: The Luxury Collection, St. Regis, Sheraton, Westin, W Hotels, Le Méridien, Four Points by Sheraton and Aloft. The company plans to double its portfolio in the next five years.