Starwood to open hotels in Bahrain

      By Avinash Saxena ,  Posted on » Tuesday, April 08, 2014
AMERICAN hotel operator Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide says the opening of two new properties in Bahrain is part of a regional expansion that will see 35 hotels open by 2017.
It will open both a Le MŽridien and a Westin hotel at Bahrain City Centre in July, replacing the Kempinski Grand and Ixir Hotel.
The Westin Bahrain City Centre and Le MŽridien Bahrain City Centre will add 460 rooms to Starwood's portfolio in Bahrain, it was announced yesterday.
The GDN exclusively reported on March 30 that the American company was rumoured to be taking over the properties.
However, Kempinski will continue to operate until midnight on June 30 when it will hand over the two hotel towers to Majid Al Futtaim Properties, which owns and operates the mall.
"We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with Majid Al Futtaim Properties as we debut our Westin and Le MŽridien brands in Bahrain," said Starwood Hotels and Resorts Europe, Africa and Middle East president Michael Wale.
"We have a long presence in the country, dating back to 1981 when we opened the Sheraton Bahrain Hotel.
"We look forward to expanding our footprint here with the launch of these two distinct lifestyle brands."
The Majid Al Futtaim Group has said it was ending its management agreement with Kempinski because it wanted to adopt a distinct two-brand hotel strategy for the location.
Kempinski has managed two hotel towers at the mall since September 2011.
Bahrain City Centre is home to 350 retail outlets, 50 dining outlets, a temperature-controlled water park, cinemas and a bowling centre.
Majid Al Futtaim Properties chief executive George Kostas said the firm welcomed the addition of the two new hotels to its portfolio.
"We believe they will add significant value to our offering in Bahrain and will further strengthen the position of our 11 hotels across the region," he said.
Starwood operates nearly 50 hotels and resorts across the Middle East under eight brands: The Luxury Collection, St Regis, Sheraton, Westin, W Hotels, Le MŽridien, Four Points by Sheraton and Aloft.
"The Westin and Le MŽridien brands are enjoying phenomenal global growth in the Middle East where they are poised for further expansion," said Starwood Hotels and Resorts Europe, Africa and Middle East senior vice-president for acquisitions and development Bart Carnahan.
"The debut of these brands in Bahrain will mark an important milestone for us as we introduce Westin's winning approach to well-being and Le MŽridien's contemporary lifestyle."
The Westin Bahrain City Centre will feature 200 guest rooms, including six executive suites and a presidential suite.
It will also offer five dining venues and more than 6,500 square feet of event space, in addition to The Heavenly Spa by Westin, the WestinWORKOUT and a swimming pool.
Le MŽridien Bahrain City Centre will offer 260 guest rooms, including 18 executive suites and a presidential suite. The hotel will feature three dining venues including the Latitude coffee bar and lounge and an all-day dining restaurant, as well as more than 5,000 square feet of event and meeting space including a business centre, ballroom and five meeting rooms. It will also feature the Le MŽridien Hub. Guests will be able to access all facilities and amenities of both hotels. avinash@gdn.com.bh