Starwood to manage new hotel in Beijing

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and Beijing Jin Hao Real Estate Company Limited have signed an agreement whereby Starwood will manage The Westin Beijing-Financial Street in Beijing, China.

Scheduled to open in mid 2006, the hotel will be located at the Financial Street in Beijing, the emerging financial center of Beijing. The hotel is part of a multi-purpose complex that houses the hotel in one tower and serviced residences in a separate tower. The complex will feature 500 rooms and 216 serviced residences, and close to 2,510 square meters of meeting space. Other hotel facilities include five dining outlets, sports and recreational facilities, a health club, an indoor swimming pool and retail center.

"We are very proud and honored that Beijing Jin Hao Real Estate Company Limited has selected Westin for this much sought after development opportunity in a prime location that will become Beijing's new financial center," said Miguel Ko, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific. "China's fast-growing travel sector, including business and leisure travel and the meetings industry, has raised the demand, from both national and international travelers, for upscale and international hotel products and services. Following the successful opening of The Westin Shanghai in 2002, we are now very proud to be able to introduce Westin and its many innovative and signature services and products to travelers visiting Beijing in future. Westin is known as a highly innovative brand and has launched several "firsts" in the industry, including the groundbreaking Heavenly Bed®," added Ko. 

Ms. Jin Ling, Chairman of Beijing Jin Hao Real Estate Company Limited commented, "The Westin Beijing Financial Street will be an outstanding development in Beijing, in terms of quality of design, décor and services. After reviewing many international hotel chains, we felt that Starwood and its Westin Brand best represented our needs due to the strength of its operations, well-established and professional experience, global reach with sales and marketing services, and its outstanding innovative products. This will be a good match with our product and we look forward to a successful partnership between Beijing Jin Hao Real Estate Company Ltd and Starwood Hotels & Resorts."