Starwood Opens 200-Room Westin Jekyll Island

Starwood has opened The Westin Jekyll Island, a 200-room, convention-class, beachfront hotel on Georgia's barrier island.

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 hotel is owned by Jekyll Oceanfront Hotel, LLC (JOFH), a joint venture comprised of several investors including Leon N. Weiner & Associates, Inc, a real estate development company, and New Castle Hotels & Resorts, an 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."

All 200 guestrooms at the Westin Jekyll Island are outfitted with the Westin Heavenly Bed featuring lush sheets, down cushioning and a patented pillow-top mattress, which cradles and contours to the body for complete comfort. 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.

Rooms also feature high-speed internet access and an ergonomic work space.

Dining options at The Westin Jekyll Island include The Reserve, an upscale, casual restaurant serving 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.

The Westin Jekyll Island offers 5,260 square feet of 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 Westin Workout 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.

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.

“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 one of six new Westin hotels opening in North America this year and follows the brand’s 200th opening worldwide in 2014.