Starwood Hotels & Resorts has signed the Four Points by Sheraton Ikot Ekpene, a new build hotel scheduled to debut in 2015. Owned by the Akwa Ibom State Government, Four Points by Sheraton Ikot Ekpene marks Starwood’s 10th hotel in Nigeria and second hotel in the state of Akwa Ibom, after Le Meridien Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort.

The property will feature146 guest rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, a lobby bar, 814 square metres of meeting and event space, as well as a fitness centre and an outdoor pool.

“Looking back to when we first opened Le Meridien Ibom in 2007, we saw an opportunity in a city with limited infrastructure, today the state of Akwa Ibom has been transformed and modernised with new highways and a local airport, while the hotel was recently selected as an SPG Members’ Favourite,” said Michael Wale, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East.

“Our experience and shared successes with the government of Akwa Ibom leads us to believe that Four Points by Sheraton Ikot Ekpene is another milestone in the development of the state and we embark on this second joint venture with great confidence.”

Located at the crossroad between two major highways with easy airport access, Four Points by Sheraton Ikot Ekpene will be the first high-rise tower in Ikot Ekpene as well as the first purpose-built internationally branded hotel in the iconic town. Reflecting the brand’s promise and insight into the needs of today’s traveller, the hotel will also offer all of the brand’s defining elements, including the signature Four Points by Sheraton Four Comfort bed and free bottled water in the room, complimentary Wi-Fi in all public areas, a delicious breakfast with great coffee and refreshing local beer with Best Brews, helping guests to start and end the day right.

“Nigeria remains to be an important growth market for Starwood and we see a significant opportunity in growing our mid-market brands in the country and throughout all of Africa,” said Bart Carnahan, Senior Vice President Acquisitions & Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa & Middle East. “With one of the strongest pipelines in the Starwood portfolio, Four Points by Sheraton offers a compelling blend of comfort, style and affordability, making it an increasingly attractive choice for owners and developers across the world.”

Starwood currently operates five hotels in Nigeria including Sheraton Lagos Hotel, Sheraton Abuja Hotel, Four Points by Sheraton Lekki-Lagos, Le Meridien Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort, and Le Meridien Ogeyi Place. The company will also expand its presence in Nigeria with five new hotels opening by 2017 including Four Points by Sheraton Ikot Ekpene, Four Points by Sheraton Benin City in Edo, Four Points by Sheraton Ibadan in Oyo, Four Points by Sheraton Ikeja in Lagos and Le Meridien Ikoyi Towers.