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Westin Hotels Makes Debut on Jekyll Island, Georgia’s Acclaimed Barrier Reef Island

By: Westin Hotels & Resorts |  1,017 Shares     127 Reads

The Westin Jekyll Island is the Cornerstone of the Island Beach Village Project, including the 128,000 square-foot Jekyll Island Convention Center

JEKYLL ISLAND, Ga. - April 22, 2015 - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced the opening of The Westin Jekyll Island, a 200-room, convention-class, beachfront hotel on Georgia's acclaimed barrier island. It is one of six new Westin hotels opening in North America this year and follows the brand’s 200th opening worldwide in 2014.

“The Westin Jekyll Island is a terrific new addition to the Westin brand’s growing portfolio and provides a restful retreat for travelers on one of the most beautiful barrier islands in the United States,” said Bob Jacobs, Vice President of Brand Management for Sheraton and Westin. “This spectacular new Westin hotel showcases all of the brand’s services and amenities designed to inspire wellbeing within close proximity of the area’s premier convention facility, as well as a variety of attractions.”

The Westin Jekyll Island is the cornerstone of Jekyll Island's Beach Village project, which includes an oceanfront promenade, village green, restaurants, upscale boutiques, Great Dunes Park and the 128,000-square-foot Jekyll Island Convention Center – the only beachfront convention center in the southeast. The hotel is owned by Jekyll Oceanfront Hotel, LLC (JOFH), a joint venture comprised of several investors including Leon N. Weiner & Associates, Inc, a nationally recognized real estate development company, and New Castle Hotels & Resorts, an award- winning, independent third-party hotel manager.

"This hotel was purpose built to be a catalyst in the revitalization of Jekyll Island," said Dave Curtis, president of Leon N. Weiner and Associates. "Coupled with the convention center, The Westin Jekyll Island makes this cherished barrier island a best-in-class destination and a first-choice option for meeting planners who prefer to keep their meetings in state, or within the region."

"Jekyll Island is known for its thoughtful stewardship of the island's environment and its storied past," said David Buffam, CEO of New Castle Hotels and Resorts. "That's why the Westin brand, with its emphasis on well-being and careful handling of natural resources was the only choice for this one-of-a-kind project. I know that this combination of location, premium convention facilities and well-chosen hotel brand will resonate with leisure travelers and meeting planners in search of a destination that satisfies the mind, body and soul."

Offering breathtaking ocean views and direct beach access, The Westin Jekyll Island provides a sensory-rich environment and all of the brand’s signature amenities and services designed to inspire wellbeing. All 200 guestrooms are outfitted with the world-renowned Westin Heavenly® Bed featuring lush sheets, down cushioning and a patented pillow-top mattress, which cradles and contours to the body for complete comfort. Another industry first, the Heavenly® Bath creates an invigorating spa-like experience, enhanced with the brand’s Heavenly® Shower, Heavenly® Robe and exclusive White Tea Aloe bath amenities. In-room, high-speed Internet access and an ergonomic work space will offer travelers convenience and productivity in a tranquil setting.

Dining options at The Westin Jekyll Island include The Reserve, an upscale, casual restaurant serving the freshest local seafood and Salty's poolside bar and café for cocktails and lighter fare. At Harry’s @The Reserve, the hotel’s outdoor rooftop bar, guests can enjoy sweeping views of the beach and ocean. Westin SuperFoodsRX™ options are on the menu at all three restaurants.

The Westin Jekyll Island is an ideal choice for small groups, weddings and reunions in search of a premier location, offering 5,260 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting and banquet facilities, as well as outdoor venues. Additional facilities include a resort-style outdoor pool, the flexible, Tangent™ at Westin workspace where groups of four or more can collaborate, and the brand’s signature WestinWORKOUT® gym experience, including loaner gear and a running concierge.

The five-story, U-shaped, beachfront hotel was designed by LLW Architects of Memphis, Tenn., to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, (LEED) Silver specifications and minimize the hotel's impact on the barrier island's sensitive surroundings. The 8,750 cubic yards of concrete used in the construction were sourced from a plant in Brunswick, Ga., only 15 miles from the site. Westin brand room design specifications also are 60 percent more sustainable than conventionally built guest rooms, providing a more healthful guest environment.

The Westin Jekyll Island is just minutes from the island's National Historic Landmark District and close to the island's four golf courses, 10 miles of barrier island beaches and a variety of outdoor recreation, including marsh eco-tours, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and more than 20 miles of bike paths and kayaking waterways.

Westin Hotels & Resorts, like all brands within Starwood’s robust portfolio, is proud to offer the Starwood Preferred Guest® program, which made headlines when it launched in 1999 with a breakthrough policy of no blackout dates on Free Night Awards. SPG® offers members the ability to redeem awards at more resorts, more luxury properties, more European hotels and more golf properties than any other hotel program. For more information on Westin Hotels & Resorts, please visit www.westin.com, Facebook or follow Westin on Twitter.

About Jekyll Ocean Front Hotel, LLC

Jekyll Ocean Front Hotel LLC (“JOFH”) is comprised of Leon N. Weiner & Associates, Inc. (“LNWA”), a Wilmington, De. based nationally recognized homebuilder and multi-family real estate development company, New Castle Hotels & Resorts (“NCHR”), a Shelton, Conn. based independent hotel owner, operator and manager of distinctive hotel and resort properties, and other individual investors. LNWA and NCHR previously teamed up in 2008 to develop a now successful and stabilized Hampton Inn & Suites, also on Jekyll Island. LNWA and other individual investors in JOFH are also owners and operators of the Jekyll Island Club Hotel, a four star resort and National Historic Landmark.

About New Castle Hotels & Resorts

The Westin Jekyll Island is operated by Shelton, Conn.-based New Castle Hotels & Resorts, an award-winning independent third-party hotel manager, owner and developer with 30 hotels and resorts and nearly 5,000 rooms under contract or in development. New Castle’s growing portfolio of hotels spans 10 states and three Canadian provinces and includes several of Canada’s historic landmark resorts. The privately-held company was established by CEO, David Buffam in 1980 and consistently ranks among the top hotel management and development companies in North America, serving the United States and Canada. New Castle is a preferred operator for diverse brands within the Marriott, Hilton and Starwood families. For additional information, please go to www.newcastlehotels.com.

About Westin Hotels & Resorts

Westin Hotels & Resorts has been a leader in wellness and hospitality for more than a decade. Today, Westin has more than 200 hotels and resorts in nearly 40 countries and territories, and is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 1,200 properties in 100 countries and over 180,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood 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 Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, Element® and the recently introduced Tribute Portfolio™.. The Company boasts one of the industry’s leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG®), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. Starwood recently announced plans to spin off its Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc. business, a premier provider of world-class vacation experiences through villa-style resorts and privileged access to Starwood brands, into a standalone public company by the end of 2015. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

Source: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Media Contacts:

Tanya Elm
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
203-964-5629
Tanya.Elm@starwoodhotels.com

Lauralee Dobbins
Daly Gray, Inc.
703-435-6293
Lauralee@dalygray.com

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