25 October 2011
Located on the Abu Dhabi Golf Course, the Resort will open on 1 November Marking the Entrance of the Westin Brand in the Emirate

ABU DHABI - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) announces the debut of the Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa on 1 November. The resort will open in conjunction with the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in mid-November. Owned by the Tourism Development & Investment Company - the leading developer of cultural, residential and tourism destinations in Abu Dhabi - the new Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa marks the launch of the Westin brand in the emirate. 

The hotel is located at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club, which was extensively upgraded in January 2011, and is managed by Troon Golf, the world-renowned luxury golf course management company. The 172-room hotel will comprise a mix of premium guest rooms, executive suites, and a Presidential Suite, all offering views of the putting green.

"We are excited to introduce the Westin brand in Abu Dhabi in partnership with the Tourism Development & Investment Company and with this opening, hope to elevate the emirate's position as a leading tourism destination in the region," comments Klaus Niefer, General Manager of the Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa. "The hotel is positioned to provide a city escape for urbanites, a tranquil retreat for golf enthusiasts, as well as a meeting point for travellers seeking wellness and relaxation."

Ali Al Hammadi, Executive Director of Project Services at TDIC, said: "This is a momentous year for TDIC as we are achieving a number of significant delivery milestones, of which the Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa is one. We are delighted to have partnered with Starwood, with whom we worked very closely to build this landmark destination, and we are looking forward to a successful launch."

Designed to be an oasis of relaxation and wellness in Abu Dhabi with the use of neutral tones, water features, and a mix of stone and wood elements, the hotel will feature the signature Westin Heavenly Spa. The Westin Heavenly Spa will consist of six treatment rooms and an outdoor relaxation area in a tranquil garden setting. Guests can expect a range of Heavenly packages and specially-developed treatments targeted at golfers such as the "Golfer's Recovery".

Other signature Westin amenities will include the renowned Heavenly Bed® with its 10-element ensemble of quality bedding and the equally Heavenly Bath experience, as well as the Superfoods RX menu designed to treat guests to exceptional food combinations rich in nutrients, antioxidants and flavour. Guests can also choose from the 10 varieties of JING tea with recommendations from a tea sommelier at the hotel's lobby café, "The Lounge", where they can enjoy sweeping views of the golf course.

Other dining options at The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa include an all-day dining restaurant, "Fairways" a Moroccan restaurant, "Agadir"; an English-style bar, "The Retreat"; poolside restaurant and bar, ''Shades'' and a cocktail lounge, "Lemon & Lime". The hotel will also feature extensive meeting facilities, catering up to 400 people, which will comprise three ballrooms, a conference centre, board rooms, and a business centre.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts currently operates nearly 50 hotels in the Middle East, including five hotels in Abu Dhabi. The company has two additional Westin properties in the Middle East - The Westin Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina in Dubai. The company continues to grow its presence in the Middle East with nearly 25 new hotels slated to open in the next few years, including two Westin hotels - the Westin Saraya Aqaba in Jordan and the Westin Muscat in Oman.
 
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About Tourism Development & Investment Company

Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) is Abu Dhabi's leading tourism asset developer and the name behind some of the world's most significant tourism projects. Its flagship development is Saadiyat Island, a 27-square kilometre natural island lying just 500 metres offshore Abu Dhabi city, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The island is being transformed into a signature leisure, cultural and residential destination. TDIC is also behind the unique Desert Islands project, one of the world's largest sustainable island tourism destinations currently under development. TDIC's activities include creating development and tourism related concepts for specific sites and locations, disposing of, or repositioning, government-owned tourism related assets, entering into joint ventures with investment partners for assets such as hotels or residential products, as well as serving as the master developer for large scale projects.

About Westin Hotels & Resorts

Westin Hotels & Resorts is focused on providing services and amenities that enhance our guests well-being and ensure they 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 1051 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 Méridien®, 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.

Sarah Johnson
Couture Media
00971 50 2251607
sarahfpr@gmail.com 

© Press Release 2011