Starwood and Xinjiang Haotai Industry Development Co. Ltd. announced an agreement for Starwood to manage the Sheraton Urumqi Hotel in Urumqi, China, the capital city of Xianjiang Province. Scheduled to open in early 2007, the hotel will be situated in a prime location in the city, in an area that encompasses approximately 2.2 million square feet of upscale retail space, entertainment outlets and hotels.

The Sheraton Urumqi Hotel will feature 410 rooms and approximately 18,500 square feet of meeting and function space, three dining outlets, a health club and spa, an indoor swimming pool and retail shops. The hotel will be the first internationally branded upscale hotel to open in Urumqi.

“We are thrilled to be working in partnership with Xinjiang Haotai Industry Development Co. Ltd. to introduce Sheraton and its signature services and products to travelers visiting Urumqi, also known as an important stop along the ancient and historic Silk Road trade route,” said Miguel Ko, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia-Pacific.

Starwood has expanded its portfolio in China significantly over the last year with the opening of Four Points by Sheraton Shenzhen, and the signing of Sheraton hotels in Shenzhen, Xiamen, Ningbo, Haikou, Chongqing and a new Westin recently announced for Nanjing. With a total of 19 operating hotels and 14 hotels under development in China, Starwood is well-established as the largest international operator of upscale hotels in China.

Urumqi is the capital of Xinjiang Province, China’s most western province and largest administrative region. Approximately five hours by plane from Beijing, Urumqi is the political, economic and cultural center of Xinjiang. Xinjiang was a hub on the ancient Silk Road, a place where ancient Chinese culture meshed with Indian, Persian, Arab, Greek and Roman cultures, leaving behind large amounts of cultural relics. As one of the most interesting regions in China with its rich history, archaeological remains, ethnic variety, superb landscapes and a unique Central Asian culture, Urumqi offers travelers extensive and varied sightseeing experiences.
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