Starwood Hotels & Resorts has continued its European expansion with the opening of the first Sheraton branded location in the Black Sea resort of Batumi.

Operated in partnership with Turkish construction company Nurol Insaat ve Ticaret AS, the Georgia based property will be the first internationally branded hotel in the emerging destination.

The move is part of the international brand’s strategic expansion, which will add approximately 50 new hotels and over 20,000 rooms to the Sheraton portfolio over the next three years.

“Sheraton has historically been one of the first Western hotels to enter developing markets and when travellers from abroad and other emerging markets increase their travel internationally, they will stay with hotel brands they know from home,” explained Hoyt Harper, senior vice president for Sheraton Hotels and Resorts.

“The Sheraton Batumi is emblematic of our continued focus to grow the Sheraton brand’s already robust presence globally by working with our proven development partners to ensure we have best-in-class properties wherever our guests want to travel.”

Sheraton Batumi is designed with both business and leisure travelers in mind and features 43 suites - including one penthouse with views of the Black Sea.

The property is the second Sheraton hotel in the Republic of Georgia, joining the Sheraton Metechi Palace in Tblisi.

“We are proud to be working with Starwood Hotels & Resorts to bring the iconic Sheraton brand to Batumi,” said Nurol Insaat ve Ticaret AS chairman Nurettin Carmikli.

“The Sheraton Batumi Hotel is already a symbol of Batumi’s strong development and exciting future and we look forward to strengthening our long-term business relationship with Starwood.”