Press Release: Westin Hotel & Resorts
October 24, 2000
WHITE PLAINS, NY -- After more than two years and a $23 million restoration program, the Poinsett Hotel re-opened
its doors on Oct. 22, 2000 as The Westin Poinsett. The hotel's extensive restoration project included returning
all public space to its original 1925 grandeur and redesigning each of the 200 guest rooms. MeriStar Hotels &
Resorts will manage the property and Westin will provide sales, marketing, reservations and Westin brand support
through a 10-year license agreement with GLC, L.P., a local limited partnership led by P. Steven Dopp and Gregory
R. Lenox.
``We are honored to be affiliated with such a grand hotel,'' remarked Diana Oreck, senior vice president of franchise
operations for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), Westin's parent company. She continued,
``The Poinsett Hotel has long been recognized as a symbol of Greenville's grace and culture and now can once again
take its place as one of the finest hotels in the Carolinas.''
The 12-story hotel, designed by renowned architect W. L. Stoddard, originally opened as the Poinsett Hotel in 1925
and is individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is also a member of the Historic Hotels
of America. This property joins Westin's notable collection of nearly 20 historic hotels around the world including
the Hotel Bristol, A Westin Hotel in Vienna, Austria (1892), The Westin St. Francis in San Francisco (1904), The
Westin Palace in Madrid, Spain (1912), The Westin Fairfax in Washington, DC (1924) and The Westin Poinsett's sister
property The Westin Francis Marion in Charleston, S.C. which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 1999.
Each of the 200 guest rooms, including 18 suites, offer Westin's signature Heavenly Bedsm, a large work area with
two-line telephone, cable television, in-room movies and a coffee maker featuring Starbucks coffee, among other
amenities. For group functions, the hotel includes more than 10,000 square feet of restored meeting space including
two historic ballrooms. The hotel also features an upscale three-meal-a-day restaurant, gourmet coffee outlet serving
light meals, fitness center, full-service business center, valet parking, 24-hour room service and an on-site florist,
newsstand and gift shop.
Westin guests are also able to earn their way toward free travel in Starwood's frequent guest program, Starwood
Preferred Guest. With more than 700 participating hotels and resorts in 80 countries, including 100 resorts around
the world, the program is the industry's most global and promises to be the best of the competition with a structure
focused on simplicity, flexibility in redemption options and inclusion of all of Starwood's brands including Sheraton,
St. Regis, Westin, The Luxury Collection, W hotels and Four Points by Sheraton.
Guests of The Westin Poinsett can also enjoy added benefits offered only by Westin. Service Express®, a ``one
call does it all'' concept allows guests to dial just one number on their telephone to order 24-hour room service,
call the bellman or room attendant, or have any other request filled. Additionally, The Westin Poinsett keeps in
mind the special needs of families traveling with children with the Westin Kids Club® program. The club includes
provisions for children's safety and security as well as conveniences designed to make overnight and dining experiences
more enjoyable for parents and children.
Westin Hotels & Resorts, with more than 120 hotels and resorts in 25 countries, is owned by Starwood Hotels
& Resorts Worldwide, Inc. 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 and 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 counselor or visit http://www.westin.com.
SOURCE: Westin Hotel & Resorts