W Hotels debuts in the United Arab Emirates

NEW YORK, NY – W Hotels Worldwide, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Inc, today announced the debut of W Dubai – Al Habtoor City, the brand’s first hotel in the Emirate. Owned by the Al Habtoor Group, the design-led lifestyle brand is set to shake up the destination with its rooftop W Lounge, pulsating WET® pool deck and innovative fashion and music happenings. The opening marks the W brand’s second outpost in the Middle East, following the debut of W Doha in 2009.

“From the emerging fashion scene to its contemporary arts district, Dubai has firmly made its mark on the global stage, with W Dubai set to quickly become the epicenter of it all,” said Anthony Ingham, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide. “An electrifying destination full of hidden, underground treasures, W Dubai will provide worldly jetsetters with insider access too what’s new and next in the Emirate.”

“We are proud to strengthen our relationship with Al Habtoor Group as we open W Dubai – Al Habtoor City, which is part of Starwood’s largest hospitality project in the Middle East,” said Michael Wale, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East. “Dubai’s dynamic spirit is a perfect match for W Hotels, and this groundbreaking debut reinforces our commitment to grow in this important market.”

A Magnetic Desert Mirage

Set within the ambitious Al Habtoor City project, the Emirate’s first fully-integrated urban resort, W Dubai – Al Habtoor City rises 33 stories above the vibrant Sheikh Zayed Road, overlooking the newly built Dubai Water Canal with views of dramatic sunsets over the Arabian Gulf. Upon arrival, guests are whisked up 30 floors to the W Lounge (the W brand’s reinterpretation of the staid hotel lobby) where a jaw-dropping, panoramic view of the shimmering city awaits.

The landmark Al Habtoor City development project features two other Starwood hotels: The St. Regis Dubai which opened last November and The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City. Al Habtoor City will also feature the spectacular water-themed show La Perle by Dragone, the world’s leading cultural creation company, located along the upcoming Dubai Water Canal. The destination is minutes away from attractions such as Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Mall, a 20-minute drive to Dubai International Airport and 40-minute drive to Al Maktoum International Airport.

W Hotels in the Middle East

In 2009, W Doha opened its doors as the first W Hotel in the Middle East. Following the launch of W Dubai – Al Habtoor City, the brand is set to rapidly grow its portfolio in this region with four new hotels slated for the coming years. These include two more in the UAE: a second hotel in Dubai, the highly anticipated W Dubai – The Palm, and W Abu Dhabi; plus W Amman and W Muscat.