Marriott International, Inc. announced an agreement with Imperium Hospitality to open a Sheraton Grand Hotel in Lahore – marking the company’s first hotel in Pakistan’s key gateway city. Scheduled to open in 2021, the hotel will carry the Sheraton Grand designation which represents the premier tier of Sheraton hotels recognised for their enticing destinations, distinguished designs and excellence in service and guest experiences.

“Sheraton continues to maintain its first mover advantage through strategic pipeline development and growth plans and we are now excited to introduce the brand in Lahore,” said Samir Baidas, Chief Development Officer, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. “There is a demand for international hospitality brands in the city and with its innovative guest experience and differentiating design, Sheraton will meet the needs of business and leisure travellers, as well as local residents in Lahore.”

The capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab, Lahore’s strategic location in the heart of the country is a key trade route for the country. The city is also home to the recently renovated Allama Iqbal International Airport – one of the country’s largest and busiest airports.

Qasim Jafri, CEO of Imperium Hospitality, commented: “With the signing of Sheraton Grand Lahore, we intend to surpass international benchmarks, not match them. Imperium Hospitality is re-engineering premium hospitality and the luxury living landscape of Pakistan. We strongly believe that with our quest for excellence, combined with cutting edge skills in planning, construction, and operations, we will deliver unparalleled architectural design with a stunning hospitality experience.”

Sheraton Grand Lahore will feature 168 well-appointed guestrooms and comprise four food and beverage outlets, including a specialty restaurant. The hotel will also offer a fitness center with a swimming pool, a signature spa and ultra-modern meeting facilities including a 500 sqm ballroom.

The hotel will be designed by Eco.id Architects who have worked on several Marriott International properties including, W Maldives, Sheraton Kathmandu Hotel and the Four Points by Sheraton Bintan.

Marriott International currently operates two hotels and over 500 rooms in Pakistan – Islamabad Marriott Hotel and Karachi Marriott Hotel.