Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc : Westin Hotels to Inspire Wellbeing in Jekyll Island, Georgia
02/22/2012 | 10:10am
Opening in 2014, The Westin Jekyll Island Center to Anchor New
Convention Complex
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), today announced
plans to open a Westin hotel in Jekyll Island, Georgia as a key element
of the Jekyll Island redevelopment project. The owners and co-developers
of the project, New Castle Hotels & Resorts and Jekyll Landmark
Associates, expect to break ground on the new Westin this summer, with
an anticipated opening in February 2014. The Westin Jekyll Island will
feature 200 rooms, ample meeting facilities and the full suite of Westin
signature amenities and services designed to help guests leave feeling
better than when they arrived.
Offering breathtaking ocean views and direct beach access, The Westin
Jekyll Island will be located within the Jekyll Island Convention Center
Complex, a highly-anticipated, mixed-use development slated for
completion in February 2014. In addition to the new Westin hotel, the
complex will feature a 128,000-square-foot, fully renovated convention
center, a 45,000-square-foot ballroom, a variety of retail shops and a
beachfront promenade. Close to the National Historic Landmark District,
The Westin Jekyll Island will also be convenient to numerous golf
courses, miles of barrier island beaches, and a variety of outdoor
recreation including marsh eco-tours, dolphin watching and kayaking.
"We look forward to introducing Westin to Jekyll Island and we expect
that the strength of the Westin brand will draw large numbers of
travelers who appreciate the brand's emphasis on a renewing travel
experience," said Gerald Chase, President and COO of New Castle Hotels
and Resorts. "Another benefit of joining Westin is that we can tap into
the power of Starwood via the award-winning Starwood Preferred Guest
program.
The Westin will have an outstanding location on the beach next to a
world class convention center, as well as strong partners and owners
with prior experience operating on Jekyll Island. When you have all
these strengths aligned, it makes for a winning hotel."
"Westin has emerged as a popular choice for owners and developers
seeking a high-caliber brand for mixed-use complexes and revitalization
projects like Jekyll Island," said Allison Reid, Senior Vice President
of North America Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
"Fueled by the success of its distinct positioning, Westin has expanded
its portfolio 30% over the past five years and plans to open another 30
hotels by the end of 2016."
The sensory-rich environment at Westin offers a respite from the rigors
of travel and sets a welcoming tone. Upon entering the lobby, guests
will begin to breathe more easily as they are greeted with soothing
elements like relaxed lighting, natural botanicals and stimulating
music. All guestrooms will feature the world-renowned Westin Heavenly®
Bed featuring lush sheets, down cushioning and a patented pillow-top
mattress, which cradles and contours to the body for complete comfort.
Another industry first, the Heavenly® Bath creates an invigorating
spa-like experience, enhanced with the brand's Heavenly® Shower,
Heavenly® Robe and exclusive White Tea Aloe bath amenities. In-room,
high-speed Internet access and an ergonomic work space will offer
travelers convenience and productivity in a tranquil setting.
"We are delighted that Westin Hotels will play a key role in the
redevelopment of Jekyll Island, and invite both business and leisure
travelers to experience the Westin difference on one of Georgia's most
scenic barrier islands," said Brian Povinelli, Global Brand Leader for
Westin Hotels & Resorts. "The Westin Jekyll Island will offer all of the
Westin brand's signature programs and amenities, designed to bring to
life the brand's emphasis on sending guests home feeling better than
when they arrived."
An ideal venue for weddings, social galas and business functions, The
Westin Jekyll Island will feature 5,700 square feet of meeting and
banquet facilities equipped with the latest in meeting technology. The
hotel will also include a full-service restaurant and the brand's
signature WestinWORKOUT® gym experience.
Westin Hotels & Resorts, like all brands within Starwood's robust
portfolio, is proud to offer the Starwood Preferred Guest® program,
which made headlines when it launched in 1999 with a breakthrough policy
of no blackout dates on Free Night Awards. SPG® offers members the
ability to redeem awards at more resorts, more luxury properties, more
European hotels and more golf properties than any other hotel program.
About New Castle Hotels & Resorts
New Castle Hotels & Resorts portfolio includes 30 hotels the company
manages, owns or is developing in the United States and Canada. The
privately held hotel management company consistently ranks in the
country's top 100 hotel management and development companies in
hospitality industry trade publications. New Castle celebrated its 30th
anniversary in 2010. The Westin Jekyll Island will be the second
property co-developed and managed by New Castle on Jekyll Island. For
more information on New Castle Hotels & Resorts, please contact Gerald
P. Chase, president, chief operating officer, at (203) 925-8370, or
visit the corporate website at www.newcastlehotels.com.
About Westin Hotels & Resorts
Westin Hotels & Resorts makes the healthiest choices irresistibly
appealing, so guests leave feeling better than when they arrived. With
more than 186 hotels and resorts in over 36 countries and territories,
Westin is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Starwood
Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure
companies in the world with 1,090 properties in 100 countries and
territories with 154,000 employees at its owned and managed properties.
Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of
hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally
renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le
Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, and ElementSM.
The company boasts one of the industry's leading loyalty programs,
Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), allowing members to earn and redeem
points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout
dates. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one
of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation
interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com
Media:
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Nadeen N.
Ayala, 203-351-2542
Nadeen.ayala@starwoodhotels.com
© Business Wire 2012
