Starwood Hotels & Resorts announced that it has signed an agreement with Hoteli Dubrovacka Rivijera to open a new Sheraton hotel in Dubrovnik, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Mediterranean.

Scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2015, Sheraton Dubrovnik Riviera Hotel will mark Starwood’s entry into Dubrovnik and the company’s fourth hotel in Croatia.

“We are pleased to expand into our third partnership with HUP Zagreb d.d. in Croatia and look forward to introducing the Sheraton brand into the growing European resort market of Dubrovnik,” said Michael Wale, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East. “Our expanding footprint in Croatiareflects the country’s continuing prominence as a travel destination, and the growing demand for strong, globally recognized hotel brands along the Adriatic Coast.”

Dubrovnik is a UNESCO heritage-listed city set on the Adriatic Sea at the southern end of Croatia. Sheraton Dubrovnik Riviera Hotel will be located along what is commonly referred to as the Dubrovnik Riviera, a 20 kilometre stretch of coastline that runs from the old city of Dubrovnik in the north to Cavtat in the south. The Dubrovnik Riviera is the most popular destination along the entire Croatian Adriatic coast, attracting nearly 800,000 tourists per year.

Andelko Leko, CEO of HUP Zagreb commented: “Our longstanding partnership with Starwood, introducing the Westin and Sheraton brands into Zagreb, and now the Sheraton brand into Dubrovnik, has significantly influenced the development of the hotel industry across the country. The recognition of Starwood’s brands alongside HUP Zagreb’s professional team has contributed to making our hotels the center of economic, political, and sporting events in Croatia. We are confident Sheraton Dubrovnik Riviera will be no exception.”

The 250-room hotel will feature signature Sheraton experiences, including the all-white Sheraton Sweet SleeperTM beds, the Link@SheratonSM and the Sheraton Fitness by Core® Performance. Guests will be able to enjoy relaxing treatments at the Sheraton Shine Spa, an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, as well as a tennis court. Sheraton Dubrovnik Riviera Hotel will include one of the largest conference facilities along theCroatian Adriatic Coast with approximately 1,000 square metres of meeting space.

“Sheraton continues to be a first-mover into many new markets around the world, paving the way for future growth and the introduction of our other eight lifestyle brands,” added Bart Carnahan, Senior Vice President, Acquisitions & Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East. “This signing enhances our presence in Croatia as we continue to look for opportunities to expand in this important, rapidly growing market.”

Starwood Hotels & Resorts currently operates three hotels in Croatia: Le Meridien Lav in Split, Sheraton Zagreb Hotel and The Westin Zagreb.