Westin Hotels Proudly Returns to Mexico City with the Opening of The Westin Santa Fe

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Aug. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announced today that Westin Hotels marks its return to Mexico City with the recent opening of The Westin Santa Fe, Mexico City. Managed under an agreement between Starwood and Heldan Hotels & Resorts S.A. de C.V., The Westin Santa Fe, Mexico City overlooks one of the area's most stunning evergreen valleys with spectacular views of the Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl volcanoes. The opening of the newly constructed hotel also marks the debut of Breathe Westin in Mexico's capital city, setting the standard for smoke-free hotels in this market.

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Boasting a prime location at the heart of downtown, The Westin Santa Fe, Mexico City is a key element of Park Plaza, the city's newest, upscale mixed-use development. Designed by Edmonds International, Park Plaza features more than 700,000 square feet of office space and a variety of high-end retail shops. Less than 20 minutes from Toluca airport, The Westin Santa Fe, Mexico City is within walking distance of the BBVA Bancomer Convention Center and convenient to numerous corporate offices, restaurants, shopping and entertainment.

"We are delighted to re-introduce the Westin Brand to Mexico City with the opening of this sophisticated and elegant urban retreat within the dynamic Santa Fe area. The opening of The Westin Santa Fe, Mexico City underscores the importance of Mexico to the Westin brand and builds on our strong history in both urban and resort locations throughout Mexico," said Osvaldo Librizzi, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Latin America. "We are very bullish on Latin America, which represents one of the most robust market opportunities for the future growth of all of Starwood's world-class brands."

"We are especially proud to be associated with Starwood in the management of The Westin Santa Fe, in the heart of the fast-growing Santa Fe business district in Mexico City," said Salomon Helfon, Director of Heldan Hotels & Resorts. "The opportunity to work with Starwood is an important recognition of the high caliber of work that we have accomplished with this development and we believe The Westin Santa Fe, Mexico City will become a landmark in our city".

The Westin Santa Fe, Mexico City is the Westin brand's sixth hotel in Mexico, joining The Westin Resort & Spa Los Cabos, The Westin Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta, The Westin Resort & Spa Cancun, The Westin Lagunamar Ocean Resort Villas (a Starwood Vacation Ownership property) and The Westin San Luis in Potosi. In addition to its six hotels in Mexico and one in Guatemala, the brand is gearing up to open The Westin Libertador in Lima, Peru in 2011. Overall, Starwood Hotels & Resorts now has 22 hotels and resorts in Mexico and 62 properties in Latin America.

"The growing depth of our global Westin portfolio underscores the strong appeal of our distinctive wellness positioning in diverse international markets like Mexico City," said Nancy London, Vice President and global leader for Westin Hotels. "The Westin brand is at a pivotal point in its life cycle, with an unprecedented opportunity for international growth and is well on its way to establishing itself as an international market leader. We look forward to introducing the brand's healthy-living initiatives to travelers to Santa Fe."

The soothing Westin Sensory Welcome creates a memorable first impression as guests enter the hotel, with its blend of signature white tea scent, music, botanicals and mood lighting. In their rooms, hotel guests will awaken their senses with the Westin Heavenly Bath® experience and restore in the Heavenly Bed®, a 10-layer ensemble of luxurious comfort featuring a pillow-top mattress set, a cozy down blanket, three crisp sheets, a comforter, duvet and five plush pillows. In each room, guests will enjoy high-speed Internet access and an ergonomic work space to enhance their productivity and creativity in a tranquil setting. The hotel also features six signature WestinWORKOUT® rooms.

As part of the Westin brand's commitment to preserving wellness on the road, the hotel features a 24-hour WestinWORKOUT® gym, an outdoor pool and the SuperfoodsRX menu designed by experts to keep guests on top of the game with incredible food combinations rich in nutrients, antioxidants and flavor. Located on the top floor of the hotel with spectacular views of the city is the Heavenly Spa by Westin, a haven of relaxation where guests can revitalize with an array of treatments and experiences aimed at promoting mind-body wellness. The spa features seven treatment rooms and a choice of signature Heavenly treatments created by Comfort Zone, the luxurious Italian spa brand.

The Westin Santa Fe, Mexico City is an ideal venue for weddings, social galas and business functions, offering nearly 14,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space, including a ballroom and meetings rooms, catering and event planning services, and the latest in meeting technology.

Additional facilities include a lobby bar and Pinzimini Restaurant, an Italian eatery featuring delicious Tuscan cuisine prepared by chef Daniel Tellez. Pinzimini's extensive menu includes high-quality grilled meats, salads and pastas, all simply prepared with fresh, local ingredients. The hotel also features a separate, fully equipped full-service Kosher kitchen.

About Westin Hotels & Resorts

Westin Hotels & Resorts makes the healthiest choices irresistibly appealing, so guests leave feeling better than when they arrived. With over 170 hotels and resorts in over 36 countries and territories, Westin is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Starwood Hotels is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1000 properties in nearly 100 countries and territories with 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Meridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft®, and Element(SM). Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

SOURCE Starwood Hotels Latin America