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Press Release: Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel
October 18, 2002
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL -- For well over a decade, the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel has amazed adults and children
alike with its "whimsical" guestroom design. Michael Graves -- the original architect of the hotel --
has been commissioned again to implement a new look that transforms the hotel's design from whimsical to a fresh,
contemporary style described as modern luxury.
The centerpiece of the guestrooms is Westin's popular Heavenly Beds®. Guests have praised Westin's innovation
with these new beds that promise an unforgettable sleeping experience. The beds feature a custom-designed pillow-
top mattress set; a cozy down blanket; three crisp sheets with thread counts between 180-250; a comforter; a duvet
and five of the best pillows in the industry. The headboards are accented by original Michael Graves artwork, topped
by picture-wash lighting that also provides incremental reading light.
The Westin features are incorporated into the design as part of the hotel's management agreement with Starwood
Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. According to Bill McCreary, complex general manager, "This customized bed
has hotel guests all over the world raving about its sleek look and most of all, its comfort. With our integration
of the already popular Heavenly Beds® into the Graves design, we're offering an even more spectacular product
for our guests to enjoy."
Custom-designed carpeting and draperies, accented by a Graves-designed insignia, complement new designer wall coverings.
A sleek, maple wood bureau with frosted glass accents replaces existing armoires in the guestrooms, providing ample
drawer space for guest belongings.
A 27" color television replaces the current 20" models in a contemporary- designed bureau that connects
to a large desk and work area. King rooms feature a pullout sleeper, while the double rooms offer a customized
lounge chair and ottoman. The bathrooms feature the Heavenly Bath(SM) treatment, which includes broad-width shower
curtains and signature in-bath amenities.
The redesign project will be conducted in phases to avoid any interruptions in guest service. The entire hotel
will be completed by January 2003.
American architect Michael Graves has been in the forefront of architectural design since he founded his practice
in Princeton, New Jersey in 1964. As a Robert Schirmer Professor of Architecture, Emeritus at Princeton University,
where he taught for almost 40 years, Graves is an influential theorist as well as a diversified and prolific designer.
Since the early 1980s, his work directly influenced the transformation of urban architecture. Among his numerous
projects, he is also noted for designing the Walt Disney World headquarters building in Burbank, California, along
with numerous hotels in Japan and Egypt. Graves also produced a wide range of furnishings, artifacts, jewelry and
dinnerware for companies such as Walt Disney World Company, Alessi, Steuben, Phillips Electronics and Black &
Decker. He has teamed with Target stores to bring his signature style of design to a larger public in a wide variety
of product categories.
Graves continues to make an indelible mark on the architectural community with notable projects worldwide. He was
recently honored by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) with the AIA Gold Medal award. The highest honor
the AIA confers to an individual, the Gold Medal award recognizes an individual whose significant body of work
has had a lasting influence on the theory and practice of architecture.
"I'm looking forward to revisiting the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel after 13 years. This will be an exciting
venture," said Graves. He continued, "We are about to embark upon an intriguing transformation from whimsical
to modern luxury, encompassing the unique design concept of the Walt Disney World Swan with Westin's Heavenly Beds®,
accented by a contemporary approach that will continue to set the standard in guestroom design."
McCreary added, "We're pleased to continue our partnership with Michael Graves, to ensure we remain true to
the original concept of this hotel."
The Walt Disney World Swan Hotel will continue to amaze guests from both the outside and inside. The new modern
luxury design will be an extension of the hotel's outstanding decor and ability to pleasantly surprise the guests
behind every door of the building.
The multi-award winning Walt Disney World Swan Hotel, located within the Epcot® Resort area, is a Four-Diamond
rated hotel, located in the most magical place in the world. In addition to a wide selection of rooms and suites,
there are 16 restaurants and lounges, offering such cuisine as: Italian, sushi, family dining and steak and seafood
at the renowned Shula's Steak House -- "One of the Top 5 Steak Houses in America."
Recreational facilities include five swimming pools, two health clubs, and five nearby championship Walt Disney
World golf courses. Centered inside the Walt Disney World® Resort, the hotel provides ideal proximity to the
100 Years of Magic Celebration at all four Walt Disney World Theme Parks -- nearby Disney's Animal Kingdom®
Theme Park and Magic Kingdom® Park, and accessible to Epcot® and Disney-MGM Studios via water and walkway.
The hotel offers an array of special Walt Disney World benefits, including: complimentary transportation to all
Walt Disney World Theme Parks and Attractions; a Disney ticket desk in the lobby; Disney Character Caravans, offering
meet-and-greet sessions with the loveable Disney characters and Disney character dining in select hotel restaurants
for breakfast and dinner. The Walt Disney World Swan Hotel can be found at www.swandolphin.com
. Guests can receive e-mail updates and on-going special hotel deals by signing up at www.swandolphin.com/postcards
.
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel is owned by a partnership between Tishman Hotel & Realty Corporation
-- an affiliate of New York-based Tishman Realty & Construction Company, Inc. -- and Metropolitan Life Insurance
Company. Tishman Hotel Corporation is one of the world's premier developers, builders, brokers, and real estate
managers, founded in 1898. The hotel is managed by Westin and Sheraton, members of the Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Worldwide portfolio.
Source: Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel