Company Press Release: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
March 1, 2000
WHITE PLAINS, NY -- Nine legendary hotels in Europe yesterday joined Westin Hotels & Resorts, more than doubling
the brand's presence in Europe.
Hotels joining Westin include: the Hotel Palace in Milan, the Hotel Excelsior in Rome, the Hotel Excelsior in Florence,
the Hotel Europa & Regina in Venice, the Hotel Excelsior in Venice Lido, the Hotel Palace in Madrid, the Hotel
Alfonso XIII in Seville, the Hotel Maria Cristina in San Sebastian and the Hotel Bristol in Vienna.
``With these legendary hotels we are significantly expanding Westin in Europe, allowing us to grow on the continent
with one of the strongest worldwide upscale/luxury brands in the industry. Westin's pre-eminent brand leadership
coupled with the power of its global distribution systems will enhance these hotels' commercial potential, while
at the same time maintaining their reputation for the very best in luxurious facilities and unrivalled customer
service,'' said Robert F. Cotter, Chief Operating Officer for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (parent
company of Westin).
``These hotels are an integral part of the history and culture of the destinations in which they are located and
over the past few years we have spent well over $100 million restoring these historic hotels to their original
grandeur,'' added Starwood Europe President Roeland Vos. ``Starwood has created an environment in these hotels
that significantly exceeds the expectations of the most demanding international clientele, and now it's time to
add in the global power and reach of the Westin brand. Each of these hotels is the market leader in the upscale
category in its own right, with world class standards in terms of product facilities, amenities and guest services.''
These properties join existing European Westin hotels including: the luxurious Trianon Palace, A Westin Hotel in
Versailles, France; the world famous Turnberry Hotel, Golf Courses & Spa, A Westin Resort in Scotland; The
Westin Grand in Berlin; The Westin Bellevue in Dresden, Germany; and The Westin Dragonara Resort in Malta.
``By growing Westin's current European collection with these nine luxury hotels, loyal Westin customers from all
over the world will find the preferred choice for lodging in each of these important leisure and business destinations,''
remarked Cotter.
Westin continues to expand in Europe, with the June 2000 opening of The Westin Rotterdam, The Netherlands, the
Sept. 2000 opening of The Westin La Quinta Golf Resort in Marbella, Spain, and the April 2001 opening of The Westin
Dublin, Ireland. With these new additions, Westin's European coverage will more than triple in locations this year
- making it the fastest growing upscale brand on the continent. Target markets for continued Westin growth include:
London, Paris, Frankfurt, Barcelona, Budapest, Hamburg, Istanbul, Prague, Amsterdam, Dusseldorf, Munich and Jerusalem.
All Westin properties can be booked through http://www.westin.com, Westin's
global distribution systems (WI code), your preferred travel professional, or (800) WESTIN-1, with all stays earning
Starpoints or airline mileage points for Starwood Preferred Guest members.
Westin Hotels & Resorts, with more than 110 hotels and resorts in 25 countries, is owned by Starwood Hotels
& Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT). Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., through its St. Regis,
Luxury Collection, Westin, Sheraton, Four Points and W brands, is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies
in the world with more than 700 hotels in 80 countries and 120,000 employees at its owned and managed properties.
SOURCE: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.