Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Majid Al Futtaim Properties have celebrated the opening of Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates Hotel.

With this opening, Starwood now operates 14 hotels in Dubai, representing the highest concentration of Starwood hotels in any individual city outside of New York.

Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates Hotel is directly connected to Dubai’s leading shopping destination, Mall of the Emirates, which features more than 560 international retail brands and is also home to the iconic Ski Dubai snow dome.

“Sheraton has a long history in the Middle East, spanning over 50 years and it continues to be one of the most sought-after hotel brands in the region,” said Hoyt Harper, global brand leader for Sheraton Hotels & Resorts.

“With the opening of Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates Hotel, our brand portfolio in the region is stronger than ever and globally, we are anticipating record-breaking growth with plans to open our 500th Sheraton hotel by 2015.”

Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates Hotel comprises of 481 guest rooms, including 94 suites, as well as close to 9,000 square-feet of ultra-modern meeting and event space.

The hotel offers four restaurants and lounges, including: Sanabel, a Mediterranean restaurant; Sodabox, an American retro 1950s café; Vantage, a contemporary urban lounge; and Sanctuary Pool Lounge, boasting panoramic views.

Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates Hotel is conveniently located 30 minutes from the Dubai International Airport and 20 minutes from Dubai World Trade Centre.

This opening marks Starwood’s 16th Sheraton hotel in the Middle East since the debut of the company in the region with the Sheraton Kuwait in 1966.