Starwood currently operates five hotels in Turkey and plans to open two additional hotels in the country later this year. This development marks the debut of Starwood in Bursa.

According to Roeland Vos, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa, and Middle East, these agreements mark exciting milestones for Starwood’s continued growth throughout Central Eastern Europe. “Reaching out to new frontiers is a focus of our expansion strategy, so we are delighted to partner with Faik Celik Holding as we debut the first Starwood hotels in Bursa. The city of Bursa is evolving as a metropolitan centre of culture, industry, sport and leisure, making it an ideal match for our unique and compelling brands.”

Located on the south-east shore of Sea of Marmara, approximately 235 kilometres from Istanbul, Bursa is the fastest growing 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 new Sheraton Bursa Hotel will feature 171 guest rooms, including 47 executive rooms and 10 suites, all with SweetSleeper beds, plus two restaurants, lobby lounge and bar, a fitness centre, pool and spa. The hotel will also comprise more than 1,700 square metres of ultra-modern meeting and event facilities, including a large ballroom and pre-function area plus five conference rooms, business centre and the brand’s signature Link@SheratonSM experienced with Microsoft. The hotel will also feature Sheraton Club, providing guests with an upgraded experience in the private Club Lounge.

The new Aloft Bursa will feature 133 urban-influenced king-size rooms with signature loft-like ceilings, over-sized windows and ultra-comfortable plush platform beds as well as walk-in showers and Bliss® amenities. At every Aloft, savvy travellers can read the paper, work on their laptops via complimentary hotel-wide wireless Internet access, play a game of pool or grab a drink with friends at the sassy w xyz bar. The re:chargeSM fitness centre gives travellers the opportunity to de-stress and re-energize, while re:fuel by Aloft, a one stop food and beverage area, offers snacks and beverages to grab & go, 24 hours a day.

With nearly 50 hotels open since its June 2008 debut, Aloft Hotels has become the talk of the hospitality industry by going global while in launch mode. Aloft currently operates hotels in six countries, including the United States, Canada, China, United Arab Emirates, India and Belgium.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts currently operates five hotels throughout Turkey including three in Istanbul - W Istanbul and Sheraton Istanbul Maslak Hotel and Sheraton Istanbul Atakoy Hotel. The company also operates the Sheraton Cesme Hotel Resort and Spa, Sheraton Ankara Hotel & Convention Centre and will open a Luxury Collection hotel in the capital later this year. Other new developments include Le Meridien Istanbul Etiler, also scheduled to open at the end of this year.