Starwood said this week it and Xeresa Golf S.A. have signed a long-term management agreement for the 236-room Sheraton Real de Faula Hotel & Spa and the 224-room Westin Real de Faula Hotel & Spa, both of which are located adjacent to the Terra Mitica theme park along the Costa Blanca coast, near the city of Alicante. The hotels are part of a 395-acre, $98-million resort development to be known as Real de Faula. Construction on the resort began in 2001.

Starwood's Europe, Africa and Middle East Division President Roeland Vos says Starwood already operates eight hotels in Spain and will soon open four others. Vos adds that the hotels "will position the resort at the top end of the local market and are well within the category of Spain's most upscale regional resorts."

The Costa Blanca is one of Europe's oldest and most developed resort destinations due to its temperate year-round climate, beaches and myriad leisure facilities. Moreover, Starwood says recent developments such as the theme park and further infrastructure improvements are re-invigorating the destination as it positions itself for the 21st century.