Xian Yungao Signs Starwood to Manage a Westin in Xian
Capital of Shaanxi Province
SINGAPORE, February 21, 2007. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc (NYSE: HOT) and Xian Yungao International Hotel Company Limited announced an agreement for Starwood to manage a 296-room Westin in Xian, one of the four major ancient civilizations in the world, along with Athens, Cairo and Rome. The Westin Xian is expected to open in 2010.
The Westin Xian will be part of a planned Great Tang All Day Mall, which is expected to become the world's longest cultural and commercial pedestrian mall in the world, including a scenic pedestrian street, tourism amenities, sightseeing features and trade and cultural facilities. The Westin Xian will be the only hotel adjacent and within walking distance from the mall. The site is also within 40 minutes drive from Xian Xianyang International Airport, 60 minutes from the Terracotta Warrior site, and maintains easy access to downtown area and Xian's industrial development zone. In addition to its 296 guest rooms, The Westin Xian will feature approximately 11,000 square feet of meeting space, 5 restaurants, a health club and Westin's Heavenly Spa.
"We are very proud to be working in partnership with Xian Yungao International Hotel Company Limited to introduce Westin with its unique service culture, and its many innovative and signature services and products to travelers visiting Xian in future. The location of this hotel in one of the most important cities in Chinese history (Xian has often been lauded the national history museum of China) also reinforces Westin's new brand positioning around personal renewal by offering guests the services, products and amenities that allow them to relax and rejuvenate during their stay," said Miguel Ko, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia-Pacific. "With economic progress and industrial development in the last few years as well as a focus on developing Xian as a destination city, corporate and meetings demand in Xian has grown at a steady pace, in addition to the existing leisure demand. We are confident that the entry of Westin is timely and will serve to meet the growing room and meeting demands in this market," added Ko.
The signing of The Westin Xian heralds the continued expansion of Westin Hotels & Resorts in China. The Westin Xian will be the seventh Westin hotel in mainland China, joining The Westin Shanghai, The Westin Beijing - Financial Street, The Westin Beijing at Chaoyang, The Westin Guangzhou, The Westin Nanjing and The Westin Zhejiang Resort, Nine Dragon Hill. The Westins in Guangzhou, Zhejiang, Beijing Chaoyang and Nanjing are slated to open in 2007, 2008 and 2009 respectively. The Westin Xian will also be the second Starwood hotel in Xian, in addition to Sheraton Xian Hotel.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
