Views over Bursa, Turkey

Starwood Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of the Sheraton Bursa Hotel and Aloft Bursa Hotel, marking the company’s entrance into Bursa.

Owned by Faik Celik Holding, the two hotels expand Starwood’s rapidly-growing portfolio to nine hotels across Turkey, adding more than 300 rooms to the culturally-charged industrial centre.

The opening of the Sheraton Bursa Hotel fuels the brand’s growth as it remains on track to celebrate the opening of its 500th hotel by 2015.

Aloft Bursa Hotel contributes to the phenomenal growth of the mid-market brand as it is poised to grow by 30 per cent in 2013 with its 75th hotel to open later this year.

“We are delighted to be working with Faik Celik Holdings, the owners of the Sheraton and Aloft Bursa, our first Starwood hotels in this important city in Turkey,” said Michael Wale, president, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East.

“Bursa is an emerging metropolitan centre of industry, culture, sport and leisure and we believe this combination of our differentiated lifestyle brands with a new city destination will make a compelling offer to global travellers.”

Sheraton Bursa Hotel and Aloft Bursa are situated in an emerging business and upscale residential area adjacent to the Bursa New Cultural Green Park and upcoming football stadium.

Located on the south-east shore of Sea of Marmara, approximately 235 kilometres from Istanbul, Bursa is a rapidly emerging city in Turkey with a young population attracted by opportunities in its textile and automotive industries, as well as the tourism and sports sectors.

The city was the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, playing an important role in silk manufacturing, and is today the ‘greenest’ city in Turkey with easy access to Mount Uludag, the country’s prime skiing resort.

“The opening of Sheraton Bursa Hotel and Aloft Bursa marks a milestone in this fast-growing city’s development”, said Baran Celik, chief executive, Faik Celik Holding.

“We believe that Starwood’s strong global brands will attract international and national travellers as well as local guests.”