Starwood signs deal with Majid Al Futtaim for Aloft Deira hotel

Malls operator Majid At Futtaim has signed an agreement with Starwood Hotels and Resorts to open an Aloft hotel connected to Dubai’s City Centre Deira shopping centre.

Aloft Dubai City Centre Deira will consist of 304 rooms, including 29 suites and is scheduled to open in 2018.

An outdoor rooftop VOX Cinema and a cinematic themed floor of rooms and suites will be among the highlights of the property, which will use Starwood’s keyless entry system, enabling guests to use their smartphone or Apple Watch as a room key.

It will also include the brand’s signature W XYZ Bar, speciality dining restaurant Re:Fuel, a Re:Mix Lounge and gym, spa and outdoor pool facilities, with four meeting rooms.

“The United Arab Emirates is our strongest growth market in the Middle East with Dubai being an integral part of our expansion strategy in the region. Aloft hotels continue to spearhead Starwood’s growth in the mid-market segment and is expected to quadruple its portfolio in the Middle East by 2020,” said Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide senior vice president of acquisitions and development in the Middle East and Africa Neil George.

Work on the project began in June after the construction contract was awarded to Laing O’Rourke. It is expected to be completed in Q1 2018.

The deal is Starwood’s fourth with MAF and the mall operator’s 11th in the UAE.

Starwood currently operates 26 hotels in the country with 17 more planned.