The new Westin in Dubai looks amazing. I snuck in a tour behind the rope by walking around with some of the workers. I would be pretty upset if it didn't participate in SPG, in fact I wouldn't stay there since there are other, probably better properties outside the starwood system out there for cheaper and better.
The property is immediately adjacent to the LM, so I assumed that its probably done by the same folks that don't care much for SPG participation even as they milk the starwood brands for their value.
Look forward to good news on the participation front!