15 June 2008
Westin Unwind will offer evening rituals from the Middle East

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina aims to encourage guests to embrace the cultures, tastes and sounds of the Middle East through its signature social experience programme, Westin Unwind.

Part of the global 'Unwind... A Westin Evening Ritual', which is a brand standard at all Westin properties, the Unwind programme aims to provide guests with tastes, sights and sounds of each of its destinations.

Evening Unwind rituals at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina will include teaching guests how to write their name in Arabic to provide guests with an authentic Middle East experience. Hand reflexology, and a Jing Tea Ritual are also on the programme.  We will also have a creative cocktail making session with our resident mixologist and a wine and cheese tasting session with our sommelier.  The Westin Unwind events will be carried out by staff at departments across the hotel, from the spa and restaurants, to the kitchen, front office and recreation teams.

"Unwind is a unique concept brought to Dubai by the Westin. It enables guests to find ways to unwind in every aspect of their stay at the resort and provides them with a chance to touch the culture and heritage of our beautiful destination here in Dubai," said Michael Scully, Complex General Manager, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina and The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina.

"Unwind will transform many of our public areas into an inviting social and sensory setting. The events provide a meeting place for guests, some of whom may be travelling alone, encouraging them to socialise," Scully added.

A study by Westin Hotels & Resorts found that 34% of frequent travellers feel lonely away from home and the Unwind programme can provide the perfect antidote, creating a sense of community among guests.

Westin Unwind programmes are delivered at all Westin properties worldwide, with each event taking on elements of its destination. In order to set the stage for its signature evening rituals, the Westin lobbies evolve from day to evening through a variety of subtle sensory cues -- everything from music, to scent, to lighting. Warm, natural lighting is dimmed at the start of the evening while scented candles are lit and carefully placed around the lobby. Westin music moves from the background to the foreground with musical cues and selections that change from day to night.

The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina offers the full array of Westin's signature products, services and amenities including The Heavenly Bed®, WestinWORKOUT Gym®, Kids Club®, Express Checkout®, and the new Sensory Welcome®, comprising white tea scents, muted music, soft lighting and botanical products.

Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina will feature 294 rooms, including 216 deluxe rooms, 52 Westin Executive rooms, and 24 suites, in addition to a spa, a health club, four bars and four themed restaurants. The resort is located on a stunning 1,200 metre private shoreline, and will feature a 238-berth marina, five swimming pools, a water sports centre, a sailing academy, and facilities for deep sea fishing and boat chartering. 

 - Ends -

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 900 properties in more than 100 countries and 155,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, Sheraton®, Westin®, Four Points® by Sheraton, W®, Le Méridien® and the recently announced AloftSM and ElementSM Hotels. 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/pressclub   

For more information, please contact:
Nicki Page
Executive Director
Fusion Marketing Management LLC
Tel: +971.4.3912149
Fax: +971.4.3918402
Email: npage@fusion-mgt.com

Derryn French
Public Relations Manager
The Mina Seyahi Complex
Tel: +971.4. 3993333
Email: Derryn.french@starwoordhotels.com

© Press Release 2008