Starwood Hotels is to expand its Middle East portfolio by 50% with the purchase of 25 new hotels by 2015.

Starwood operates 47 hotels in ten countries, including UAE, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Bahrain, Pakistan and Yemen.

The company will add ten new UAE hotels to its existing 20 properties in the country.

In 2013, it will add three hotels to its portfolio in Muscat under its W, Westin and Element brands.

In 2014, Starwood will debut its St Regis brand in Jordan with the St Regis Amman and The Residences at St Regis Amman.