Press Release
December 11, 2000
WHITE PLAINS, NY -- Readers of the upscale Conde Nast Traveler magazine have awarded ``Best Overall Ski Resort
in North America'' status to the newly opened Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler, British Columbia. Conde Nast's
``Fifth Annual Readers' Ski Poll'', published in the December issue, rated 158 resorts in North America. Built
on the last remaining mountainside site in Whistler village, The Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler offers coveted
convenient access to both the Whistler and Blackcomb Mountain Gondolas. The 400,000 square foot resort, boasts
an impressive array of services and amenities, including the Avello Spa & Health Club, the most comprehensive
resort spa in Canada, more than 17,000 square feet of prime, technologically advanced meeting space, the FireRock
Lounge, the Aubergine Grille, and a ski-valet department which features a heated ski boot service.
Guest accommodations are comprised of 419 all-suite units, with each suite featuring a fireplace, Westin's newest
innovation, the ``Heavenly Bed(TM)'', and a deep soak tub. The sumptuous, stylish, all-white Heavenly Bed consists
of ten layers of heaven - a custom-designed pillow-top mattress set, a cozy down blanket, three crisp white sheets
(thread count ranging from 180 -250 per square inch), a comforter, a duvet and five of the best pillows in the
business. While guests are awake they also enjoy a two-line speakerphone with built in data port, a cordless phone,
in-room movies and video games, and high speed Internet access. Kitchens in every suite feature a Jenn-Air®
oven, Thermador® stove and Kitchen-Aid® microwave plus dishes, cutlery, glassware and cooking pans and
utensils.
The Conde Nast Traveler designation as ``Best Overall Ski Resort in North America'' has special significance for
The Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler. The property opened earlier this year, while managing to attain 'top spot'
with the discerning readers of Conde Nast Traveler in such a brief period of time. ``With this award, we're on
the world resort map,'' said Victor Burt, general manager for the hotel. ``This is a wonderful endorsement of our
property, amenities, the dedicated team of service professionals and our commitment to making each stay a memorable
experience for our guests.''
Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains are renowned the world over for skiing and snow boarding options. Both mountains
offer a total of 200 runs. Whistler Mountain has a 7,100 foot vertical drop, while Blackcomb Mountain boasts the
highest vertical drop in North America at 8,000 feet.
The Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler is managed by Vancouver-based O'Neill Hotels & Resorts. Westin Hotels
& Resorts, with more than 120 hotels and resorts in 25 countries, is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT). Starwood is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than
725 properties in 80 countries and 120,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. With internationally
renowned brands, Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchiser of hotels and resorts including:
St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, W brands, as well as Starwood Vacation
Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts.
For reservations or more information please call (800)-WESTIN-1, contact your travel counsellor or visit www.westin.com.
Please contact Starwood's new toll-free media hotline at (866)
4-STAR-PR (866-478-2777) for photography or additional information
Note: Photos of The Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler are available in JPEG, slide or print format by calling Starwood's
media department at (866) 4-STAR-PR.
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Contact:
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Katie Meyer
Vice President, Public Relations
914/640-8247
katie.meyer@starwoodhotels.com