Starwood takes over at Emirate's Al Maha Desert Resort

One of the largest hotel operators in the world, Starwood, is taking over the management of the luxury Al Maha resort and spa in Dubai.

The hotel operator Starwood will take over the management of the luxury Al Maha resort and spa in Dubai.

Starwood Hotels and Resorts, which has brands including Le Meridien, W Hotels and Sheraton in its portfolio, has taken over the management of the luxury Emirates Airline-owned Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa in Dubai, the company announced today.

The resort is still owned by Emirates, which was also previously responsible for the management of the 42-suite property, designed to recreate a Bedouin encampment and located in the 225-square kilometre Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve.

Roeland Vos, president of Starwood EAME, said: "The addition of the Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa is symbolic of our continued focus to grow our portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts in the Middle East.".

Last year Emirates Hotels and Resorts handed over management of the Harbour Hotel in Dubai Marina to Marriott.

In September, Emirates opened its first property abroad, the A$125 million (Dh454m) Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa in New South Wales, Australia. However, the company's planned US$253m resort in the Seychelles has been delayed because of the economic downturn.