Hilton Worldwide announced the opening of Hilton Sharjah, the company's 11th branded hotel in the UAE and its first in the Emirate of Sharjah.

The 259-room Hilton Sharjah, a conversion property previously known as Corniche Al Buhaira Hotel, is a visually striking property, ideally positioned on the picturesque Corniche Road and overlooking Sharjah's biggest lagoon. The hotel is also a convenient 10 kilometers from Dubai International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world with over 50 million passengers annually.

Rob Palleschi, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts said: "We're delighted to open our first Sharjah hotel in such a prime location and at a time when increasing numbers of business and leisure travelers are staying in the Emirate of Sharjah. As a leading worldwide hospitality brand, we are pleased to bring our globally recognized attributes of style, high standards and quality service to this exciting and promising new market."

Hilton Sharjah will offer guests a wealth of leisure amenities including three swimming pools, state of the art health club with Hilton Precor Fitness Center, two inviting restaurants, a comfortable lobby lounge and a café. The hotel will also support the active and growing business community with seven meeting rooms, a business centre and the city's premiere ballroom with a capacity of 500.

Rudi Jagersbacher, president, Hilton Worldwide Middle East & Africa said: "Sharjah offers a unique business and leisure opportunity that complements traditional, authentic Emirati culture with the vibrancy of a dynamic industrial and commercial centre. The Emirate is also home to a number of major global events including the annual F1 Powerboat Racing, Sharjah International Book Fair and International Test Cricket matches, all helping to strengthen Sharjah's growing tourism position in the region."

On behalf of property owners Bin Otaiba Investment Group, HE Khalaf Bin Ahmed Al Otaiba said: "We've been eagerly anticipating the hotel's conversion into the Hilton brand and we're delighted the property will now bear the name of such a recognized global leader. The company enjoys an impressive reputation which will add value to Sharjah's ambitions in developing the Emirate into a key business and leisure destination."