Starwood Hotels & Resorts Debuts in Sharjah

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Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has announced that it has signed an agreement with the Deputy Ruler of the emirate of Sharjah, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Salem Al Qassimi, to manage its first hotel in Sharjah, a business and leisure travel destination designated as an Arab Capital of Culture. The new Sheraton Sharjah will open beginning of 2013, marking the debut of Starwood in the emirate.Starwood currently operates 20 hotels in the United Arab Emirates represented by six of its nine distinct and compelling brands. The company has plans to expand its portfolio with ten new hotels in the country scheduled to open over the next few years.

Located on Al Muntazah Beach in the north of the emirate, Sheraton Sharjah will offer 343 ocean front rooms including 48 suites. The hotel will feature an all-day dining restaurant, a seafood restaurant, a Persian speciality restaurant, and a pool/beach grill on a private beach. The hotel’s business facilities include a suite of six meeting rooms, and two ballrooms, one of which at 850 square metres will be the largest hotel ballroom in the emirate. 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.

The design of the hotel reflects traditional architecture with wind-tower features, landscaped courtyard and pool areas. Just 10 kilometres from Sharjah International Airport and 15 kilometres from Dubai International Airport, the resort will play a key role in increasing business travel in the emirate in addition to attracting regional and international tourists tempted by the beachfront location, spacious rooms with Sheraton’s renowned Sweet SleeperTM Bed and a 950 square metre spa and the brand’s signature fitness offering – Sheraton Fitness by Core Performance. The Sheraton Sweet Sleeper was designed to meet AAA’s Five Diamond Award(R) criteria.

Already a major travel destination for Middle Eastern and European families, Sharjah was the first emirate in the U.A.E. to focus on international tourism, developing as a beach destination some 40 years ago. While it has since expanded as an industrial and shipping hub, the emirate also boasts numerous museums and cultural centres in an ongoing celebration of Arab culture.

SOURCE: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Daniel Fountain / 03.03.2011

Editor, Hotel Designs

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Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

Fun fact: I’m a keen cyclist and will happily bore people with copious amounts of cycling chat. My top cycling experience (so far) would have to be riding in the spectacular mountains of Crete.

Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

Together these platforms offer a comprehensive 360-degree service encompassing digital media, print publishing, and live events – providing unparalleled value to advertisers, partners, and readers alike.