Starwood Hotels & Resorts has launched The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa.

Owned by the Tourism Development & Investment Company – the leading developer of cultural, residential and tourism destinations in Abu Dhabi – the property is the first in the emirate.

The hotel features 172 premium guest rooms, several restaurants and lounges, a Heavenly Spa by Westin and state-of-the-art meeting facilities.

The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa boasts a prime location along the fairways of the championship Abu Dhabi Golf Course, which underwent extensive upgrades in January 2011 and is managed by Troon Golf.

Roeland Vos, president, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa, and Middle East commented: “We are excited to introduce the Westin brand in Abu Dhabi in association with the Tourism Development & Investment Company and with this opening; we hope to elevate the emirate’s position as a leading tourism destination in the region.

“We believe that the hotel will be a leading wellness retreat in Abu Dhabi’s emerging centre.”

Starwood Hotels & Resorts currently operates nearly 50 hotels in the Middle East, including five hotels in Abu Dhabi.

Westin has two additional properties in the Middle East – The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina in Dubai and The Westin Jeddah in Saudi Arabia (currently closed for a complete renovation).

The brand continues to grow its presence in the Middle East with nearly 25 new hotels slated to open in the next few years, including The Westin Saraya Aqaba in Jordan and The Westin Muscat in Oman.