The Sharjah government is developing a massive hotel project along the emirate's Al Khan beach at a cost of Dh650 million ($177 million) which is due to be completed in the next 30 months, said a report.

Emco Building Contracting, a leading construction group in the UAE, has been awarded the ambitious project contract, the Gulf News reported. The 343-room hotel is being developed by the Sharjah government as part of its tourism expansion plans, it added.

Deputy Ruler of Sharjah Shaikh Abdullah Bin Salim Al Qasimi, the project owner, signed the contract with Amer Eisa Al Amiri, chairman of Emco recently.

The hotel will include eight floors of rooms with the top floor reserved for VIP facilities including royal suites, presidential suites, 40 junior suits and 299 ordinary rooms. It will also boast of four restaurants and two ballrooms in addition to the beach swimming facilities.

According to him, the new project will help boost Sharjah's tourism capabilities and cater to a perceived shortage of five-star facilities in the emirate.