Starwood News and Developments Update

• 
  SAVE
• 
  SHARE
• 
  TEXT SIZE
• 
  PRINT
• 
  COMMENT
• 
  PDF

. October 14, 2008

JANUARY 31, 2006. SUMMARY NEWS RELEASE - December 2005 and January 2006

W HOTELS ELIMINATES BOARDROOM BOREDOM

Say goodbye to mind-numbing brainstorming sessions and other corporate snooze-fests; W Hotels Worldwide launches RECESS , a meetings programme designed to spice up the boardroom and motivate the mind. RECESS provides a core programme with the following elements: ENTERTAIN, INSPIRE, and REVIVE. W Hotels first introduced "Sensory Set-up" - including aromatherapy, creative catering, Wi-Fi, mood music, candles and inspiring notes and games - to meeting experiences when the first hotel opened in 1998, since then, W's meeting programme has continued to evolve, and now with the launch of RECESS , W is once again leading the way. www.whotels.com/meetings

ST. REGIS'S SECOND NEW PROPERTY IN LATIN AMERICA

Starwood announces St. Regis Resort Punta Mita, Mexico. Scheduled to open in late 2007, the new resort will be the brand's second property in Mexico, opening shortly after the St. Regis Hotel, Mexico City. Located 35 miles of Puerto Vallarta it will feature 120 rooms, all with outdoor shower, and approx. 65 luxury villas for ownership. The resort will also offer signature services and amenities including trademark butler service, a world-class concierge, a 10,000 sq ft spa, a Jack Nicklaus signature golf course, two full-service restaurants, and a Beach Club. The resort will also offer 7,000 sq ft of function space, ideal for a corporate retreat or a wedding celebration. www.stregis.com

TURNBERRY CELEBRATES ITS CENTENARY IN 2006

On 17 May 2006, guests at the renowned Westin Turnberry Resort will be toasting 100 years of hotel history. Turnberry will be marking this momentous year with a number of truly spectacular commemorations. From 26-29 May 'The Turnberry Centenary Concerts, presented by Glenfiddich' will feature the very best in Scottish and International music. Held on the lawn in front of the hotel, Turnberry will be transformed into a truly magnificent amphitheatre, seating up to a thousand guests. Turnberry will also be publishing a special commemorative book to celebrate the last hundred years, looking back at the historic and golfing events that have taken place at the hotel over the past century. www.westin.com/turnberry

WESTIN ROCKS MEMPHIS

Starwood announces the construction of 203-room The Westin Beale Street Hotel in Memphis, TN. The hotel will be franchised as a Westin and is expected to open Q1 2007. The hotel has been planned to be an oasis for NBA teams including a special floor with taller ceilings, doors and shower heads. The hotel will also feature an elegant ballroom, breakout meeting rooms, state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment, and wireless high-speed Internet access throughout the entire hotel. Westin's new brand positioning is centred on renewal and by offering guests the services, products and amenities that will help them rejuvenate, relax and restore their mind, body and spirit, as a result all Westin hotels in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean will be smoke-free as of Jan. 2006. www.westin.com

A NEW YEAR FOR THE GRITTI SCHOOL OF FINE COOKING

In the new series of courses, talented Daniele Turco, recently appointed Executive Chef at the Gritti Palace, is going to reveal some of his own gastronomic secrets and Carla Coco, a Venetian gastronomy historian, will recount the history of Venetian food and the recipes presented. A complete mix of theory and practice is offered in a high class environment. Course available this semester: 13/14/15 March: Mediterranean "mosaic" cookery. 24/25/26 April: The power of aromatic herbs. 10/11/12 July: "Street cookery". For information and applications please contact the Hotel Gritti Palace - Tel. +39 041 794 611 Email: [email protected] / www.luxurycollection.com/gritti

A NEW ART D'ECO BAR FOR THE WESTIN EXCELSIOR IN ROME

With a modern and elegant art deco style, the new ONICE bar has given a touch of renovation to the The Westin Excelsior, making it the new meeting point in the heart of Roman life. Designed by HDC studio, it features architectural details from different parts of the world, including Mexican onyx, English lamps, stones from Lecce in Italy and South American wood, making ONICE an eclectic and original place. ONICE, opens now every day from 10 am to 1am. www.luxurycollection.com/excelsiorrome

GOLFER'S DELIGHT IN SOUTH AFRICA!

The Western Cape Hotel & Spa in Hermanus, South Africa, is offering a special "Golfer's Delight" package valid until Sept. 2006. The package includes accommodation for 3 nights in a deluxe room for 2 people sharing, including breakfast, 2 rounds of golf per person, a complimentary bucket of balls for warm-up before each round, a Golfer's Kit, VIP amenities and unlimited access to the AltiraSPA. Rates star from 4,140 ZAR (Approx. lb380.00) per person. For bookings call toll free 00800 325 45454 quoting XGOLFC. www.luxurycollection.com

LE MERIDIEN PICCADILLY, LONDON OPENS NEW HEALTH CLUB

Le M'eridien Piccadilly celebrates the opening of its new health club, with one of the largest indoor heated swimming pools in London and seven state-of-the-art treatment rooms. A range of pampering beauty treatments are available including massages, luxury manicures and pedicures, using top brand names such as Decl'eor and Jessica. A top gear fitness centre also offers personal training sessions from lb40/hour, squash training from lb28/hour and swimming coaching. The Piccadilly Health Club is also open to the public for lb25 per day. www.lemeridien.com

LE M'ERIDIEN CONTINUES EXPANSION IN CENTRAL EUROPE

Starwood's newest global hotel brand Le M'eridien Hotels & Resorts, is planning to expand its presence in Central Europe with a new five-star hotel in Prague, capital city of the Czech Republic. The Le Royal M'eridien Prague will be located in an existing building situated in the old part of town dating back to the 11th century. Due to open early 2009, the hotel will have 165 rooms, meeting rooms, restaurant, bar and street caf'e; a fitness club and parking facilities. www.lemeridien.com

PINK WEDDINGS AT THE PARK LANE HOTEL

Since the 21st Dec. 2005 when same sex couples in the UK could legalise their union, The Park Lane Hotel, Piccadilly, introduced 'Pink Weddings', a completely bespoke service for same sex couples who can also finally also say "I do". The big day has officially arrived when they can celebrate their legal commitment with friends and family. The Art Deco hotel in central London offers a complete wedding package, from the actual ceremony to a glamorous reception, including a complimentary room for welcome drinks, reception menus, red carpet, cards done by a calligrapher and cakes decorated with two grooms or two brides on the top. www.sheraton.com/parklane

URBAN CHILL AT THE SHERATON SKYLINE HOTEL

The Sheraton Skyline Hotel, Heathrow, has introduced 'Urban Chill', a unique pampering option for all meeting delegates. Delegates can relax their bodies and invigorate their minds. Expert "Chillers" will deliver a revitalising stress-relieving head and shoulder massage to delegates, making every meeting more productive and creative. The massages can be carried out anywhere, as they require no special equipment and are performed through clothes. The new service is on offer from lb150 plus VAT for meetings of 25 people and is designed to energise and revitalise all delegates during their meetings. The Urban Chill service is on offer for up to a group of 150, with 5 or 10 minute massage. www.sheraton.com/skyline

SOMETHING'S CHANGING AT SHERATON BAHRAIN HOTEL & TOWERS

The Sheraton Bahrain Hotel & Towers has started a complete refurbishment; the property will receive a complete makeover as part of Bahrain's newest development underway - Bahrain World Trade Centre complex. The project entails complete revamping of all 256 rooms, meeting rooms, restaurants, recreation facilities and public areas; a brand new multi-story car-park and direct link to the twin towers of the World Trade Centre. The completion date is set for Oct. 2006.

www.sheraton.com/bahrain

FIRST SHERATON PROTOTYPE DESIGN HOTEL OPENS IT DOORS

The 136-room Sheraton Minneapolis Midtown, MN USA, is located in the emerging master development of Midtown Exchange, a $190m (approx. lb107m) mixed-use development including office space, residential units and the Midtown Global Market. The hotel features urban architecture, Sheraton's signature Sweet Sleepersm Bed, Sheraton Club Level and suites have fireplace and oversized soaking tub and/or wet bar. Starwood has brought extensive innovation and energy to its bold expansion for the Sheraton brand in developing prototypes that are premium products of the same quality as the core brand; full service prototype designs are ideally suited for secondary and tertiary suburban markets. www.sheraton.com/minneapolismidtown

FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON TORONTO AIRPORT OPENS

Starwood announces the opening of a new long-term franchise agreement, the Four Points by Sheraton Toronto Airport. Guests will enjoy the brand's signature Four Comfort Bed, free wireless high-speed Internet access, indoor heated pool, fitness facility, 24-hour airport shuttle to all terminals and 11,000 sq ft of flexible function space. To celebrate the opening, a "Stopover" package is available until 31st Mar '06 starting from $129/night (approx. lb73), shuttle service to/from the airport and up to 2 weeks of complimentary parking. To book visit www.fourpoints.com/torontoairport or call 00800 325 35353.

NEW FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON, PORT HARCOURT IN NIGERIA

The newly built Four Points by Sheraton, Port Harcourt will open its doors in Jan. 2008 and will be located off Olu Obasanjo Way, which is considered the central business area of Port Harcourt. The hotel will feature 124 rooms, a lobby lounge, outdoor pool with pool bar, all-day dining restaurant, meeting facilities with capacity of 300 people, a gym, a business centre and a retail outlet. www.fourpoints.com/torontoairport.