Starwood Hotels Announces First Westin Hotel
PARIS, EU, September 8, 2005. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. today announced a new Westin Hotel in central Paris. Starwood has entered into a long-term management agreement with an affiliate of GIC Real Estate Pte Ltd to operate the historic landmark hotel, which was formerly the Intercontinental Paris Hotel. The Westin Paris will be the first Westin in downtown Paris and the fifth Starwood property in France.
When the hotel was first opened in 1878 it was celebrated as the most exclusive property of its kind and was regarded as a national treasure of France's Second Empire. The hotel is an enviable location, offering a breathtaking view of the Tuileries Gardens and many of Paris's most recognised and treasured landmarks. Just steps from the Place de la Concorde and the elegant Rue du Faubourg St-Honor'e, the hotel is ideally located in the government and business neighbourhood and is minutes away from the largest shopping and cultural areas of the city.
The newly converted Westin Paris features 438 rooms, including 76 Suites. The hotel will offer some of Paris' largest, most luxurious and exclusive meeting facilities, with a 4,300 square feet ballroom, as well as 11 other meeting rooms, providing a total of 21,500 square feet of versatile meeting space. The hotel also boasts one gourmet restaurant with a beautiful terrace, a bar and a health & spa area. The hotel will remain open for business throughout the conversion period.
"We are extremely proud and truly excited to be appointed by GIC Real Estate, a premier global real estate owner, to be the operator of this historical landmark hotel." said Roeland Vos, President of Starwood's Europe, Africa and Middle East Division. "The Westin Paris is a symbol of our commitment to France and another important step in the expansion of the Westin brand in Europe".
The hotel underwent a Euro 46 million refurbishment in 1998 and the owners will invest an additional Euro 12 million to convert this property to Westin Brand standards The new Westin Paris will feature all of Westin's signature standards and products including the Heavenly Bed, Heavenly Bath, and the newly launched Westin Work Out programme.
Dr Seek Ngee Huat, President of GIC RE said, "This is a rare opportunity to purchase a freehold, prime hotel in Paris. Given our confidence in the reputation of the property, its superb location and the strength of the premier "Westin" brand, we expect strong growth in light of the anticipated recovery in the Paris hotel market."
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
