Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced a long term agreement with S.C. Sigma Hotels S.r.l. to manage the first international hotel brand in Cluj, Romania – the Sheraton Cluj Hotel and The Residences at Sheraton Cluj. Scheduled to open in early 2012, the property will be part of a mixed-use development project, Sigma Towers, located in the city of Cluj, Transylvania, approximately 440 kilometers north-west of Bucharest. The hotel and the residences combined will make up a 26-story tower that will consist of 202 hotel guestrooms, 110 residential apartments and 12,000 sq. meters of class A offices.

“The signing of this property marks an exciting moment for both Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Romania, allowing us to continue our expansion into key Eastern European cities” , said Roeland Vos, President at Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. “Cluj is one of the country’s most important economic centers and is a perfect fit for our iconic Sheraton brand.”

The hotel and residences will have views over the city of Cluj and will be located only five minutes by car from the city center. The property will also be conveniently situated nearby Cluj International Airport, which offers direct flights between Cluj and some of Europe's major cities.

“We are delighted to be working with a world-class operator such as Starwood and to be bringing one of the world’s most recognized hotel brands, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, into the country”, said Zsolt Nagy, CEO of Sigma Hotels S.r.l. “We believe that this is an important milestone for the city and we look forward to hosting both local and international business travelers alike, in a true five-star setting”.

Once completed, the hotel it will boast 1,520 sq. meters of meetings and conference space as well as an all-day dining restaurant, two specialty restaurants and a lobby bar and cafe. A luxurious 850 sq. meter spa featuring an indoor swimming pool will also be available.

The exclusive hotel amenities and concierge services will also be available to future apartment owners.