Starwood Signs New-Build Sheraton Hotel in Dohuk, Iraq

Starwood has signed an agreement with Mase Co LLC, a company managed by Brilliant Role Group, to open a new-build Sheraton hotel in Dohuk, in the Kurdistan Autonomous Region in northern Iraq.

Scheduled to debut early next year, the Sheraton Dohuk Hotel will be the first of four new Starwood hotels to open in Iraq after 20 years, and will be one of the very first internationally-branded hotels in the emerging city of Dohuk.

Situated in Dohuk on the border of Turkey, the 202-room Sheraton Dohuk Hotel will be located at the top of an hill with views overlooking the entire city and nearby mountains.

The hotel will feature an all-day dining venue, a signature restaurant, four lounges, extensive meeting and event space - including three ballrooms for special events.

The hotel will feature the brand’s signature Link@Sheraton experienced with Microsoft, Sheraton Club Lounge and Sheraton Fitness by Core Performance, designed exclusively for Sheraton guests through its partner Core Performance.

All guest rooms will feature the all-white Sheraton Sweet Sleeper bed, designed to meet AAA’s Five Diamond Award criteria. Guests will also be able to pamper themselves in the Sheraton Shine Spa.

“Sheraton continues to be a first-mover into many new markets around the world, and remains a popular choice for owners and developers in both primary and secondary markets,” said Bart Carnahan, Senior Vice President, Acquisitions & Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East. “As part of our global growth strategy, we seek new frontiers for our brands, and the signing of Sheraton Dohuk Hotel marks a significant milestone as we look for the right expansion opportunities in Iraq and throughout the Middle East.”

Sheraton Dohuk will mark Starwood’s re-entry into Iraq, which will be followed by the opening of Sheraton Erbil Hotel, Aloft Erbil and Four Points by Sheraton Erbil in the capital of the Kurdistan Autonomous Region in 2015.

Starwood currently operates nearly 50 hotels in the Middle East with plans to open over 30 hotels in the next few years.