EMEA’s largest Westin opens in Dubai

Starwood Hotels and Resorts has announced the soft opening of the largest Westin property in Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Dubai’s Al Habtoor City.

The 41-storey property is the second Westin in Dubai and is located on Sheikh Zayed Road near Business Bay.

It features 1,004 guest rooms, including 142 suites and lobby inspired by the region’s Hajar Mountains.

Among the highlights are a two-bedroom suite on the 40th floor with a living area to seat 14 guests and a 10-seat dining table and separate majlis area. The suite also includes a separate entertainment area with media wall and pool table.

Starwood said there would six dining venues open following the soft launch including casual American gastro pub Cook Hall, New York Italian-inspired Il Capo Restaurant, the Daily Treats lobby lounge, global cuisine venue Seasonal Tastes and cocktail bar Blinq.

Urban rooftop lounge and poolside venue Firefly will open later this year.

Other facilities include a soon-to-open spa with 20 treatment rooms, 15 meeting rooms, a 1,200-seater ballroom, gym and kids club area for children.

The property is being marketed for its wellness credentials, with a selection of juices and smoothies available throughout the hotel and local running maps and workout gear provided to guests.

It is also offering late checkout and extended breakfast hours on Saturdays.

“We are delighted to have the Westin brand as part of Al Habtoor City’s Hotel Collection. This is another milestone for the Al Habtoor Group. The three hotels within Al Habtoor City each offer something unique to the landmark destination and provide endless choices to business and leisure travellers, as well as to residents of Dubai,” said Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, chairman, Al Habtoor Group, and owner of the hotel.

The Westin forms part of the Al Habtoor City development, home to two other Starwood properties. The St Regis Dubai opened in November and the W Hotel opened in June.

The company is looking to double its Middle East hotel footprint in the coming years.

Read: Starwood To Double Its Middle East Portfolio In 5 Years