Acquisitions & Hotel Openings

Westin Hotels Debuts in Austin TX

Thursday, March 11, 2010 - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announces the grand opening of The Westin Austin at The Domain – the first Westin hotel to open in Austin, Texas. Today’s opening festivities will feature a performance by local music talent, Ryan Harkrider, highlighting Austin’s reputation as the “Live Music Capital of the World.” Owned by White Lodging and Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group, The Westin Austin at The Domain offers 340 guestrooms and suites and the full suite of the Westin brand’s signature amenities and services.

The newly constructed hotel has a prime location within The Domain, Austin’s prestigious, upscale lifestyle center, just steps from a variety of upscale shops, restaurants and entertainment. Less than 15 minutes from downtown Austin, The Westin Austin at The Domain is convenient to the live music venues on Sixth Street, the lounges of the Warehouse District and top-rated University of Texas sporting events. Also nearby are the Arboretum mall, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, a choice of premium golf courses and numerous corporations including Dell Computer, IBM and Apple.

“We are delighted to extend the Westin brand into the dynamic city of Austin, known for its thriving high-tech businesses and world-renowned live music scene,” said Nancy London, Vice President, Westin Hotels & Resorts. “The Westin Austin at The Domain delivers our signature blend of sophistication and rejuvenation, designed to send guests home feeling even better than when they arrived.”

The soothing Westin Sensory Welcome creates a memorable first impression as guests enter the hotel, with its blend of signature white tea scent, music, botanicals and mood lighting. In their rooms, hotel guests will awaken their senses with the Westin Heavenly Bath® experience and restore in the Heavenly Bed®, a 10-layer ensemble of luxurious comfort featuring a pillow-top mattress set, a cozy down blanket, three crisp sheets, a comforter, duvet and five plush pillows. In-room, high-speed Internet access and an ergonomic work space offer travelers convenience and productivity in a tranquil setting.

An ideal venue for weddings, social galas and business functions, The Westin Austin at The Domain offers nearly 17,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space, catering and event planning services, and the latest in meeting technology. Additional facilities include Urban restaurant and lounge, a 24-hour WestinWORKOUT® Gym, business center and heated outdoor pool.

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Hotel Human Resources: The Biggest Challenges
The economic challenges of the past four years have led many hotel companies to re-examine the ways in which they do business and how they deploy talent. In many cases, the work did not go away and fewer people were left to carry on the tasks that had previously been shared among many. As we work our way out of the recession and look forward to a healthier economic environment, there is an understanding that despite recovering business levels, we may never see the return of former staffing levels. This "new norm" of operating with leaner teams has led Human Resources professionals and people managers to look at career development and growth opportunities in a new light. The March Hotel Business Review will take a look at some of the strategies being used by successful hotel brands, and techniques human resource directors are currently exploring.
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