Hotel giant Starwood is planning a major expansion of its Sheraton brand with 30 new hotels launching in the next 12 months - half of which will open in China.

Sheraton is slated to open 15 new hotels in China over the next 12 months and expects to have 80 Sheraton-branded properties in the county by 2015.

The Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort, which features a Shine Spa and a innovative ring-shaped structure designed by architect Ma Yansong is among the Chinese openings.

The brand will also expand its portfolio in Africa and the Middle East with the addition of four new hotels including the fourth Sheraton in Saudi Arabia- Sheraton Medina Hotel, Sheraton Dubai Mall of Emirates and the first in Tajikistan - Sheraton Dushanbe Hotel.

Other openings include Sheraton Tucuman Hotel - the brand's ninth hotel in Argentina.

Sheraton is also increasing its footprint in Brazil ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics, with the opening of Sheraton da Bahia Hotel in Salvador this year and Sheraton Reserva do Paiva Hotel & Convention Center, which is located 30 minutes from Recife, in early 2014.

Two hotels will also open in Turkey in the cities of Adana and Bursa.

Hoyt Harper, global brand leader for Sheraton Hotels & Resorts said: "Sheraton is anticipating record-breaking growth, putting us on track to open our 500th hotel in 2015.

"The majority of our new hotel development is taking place in the world's fast-growing economies, while in North America, Sheraton remains one of the most sought-after brands for conversion opportunities."