Starwood to expand Westin brand in Spain

Starwood Hotels & Resorts is planning to open The Westin La Quinta Golf & Spa Resort, a hotel conversion in March 2016. The property deal marks the return of The Westin flag to the spectacular Andalusian resort in Benahavis, underscoring strong demand for the brand.

“We are delighted to partner with Inversiones Hoteleras La Quinta S.L.U. and welcome back this magnificent resort in the prestigious market of Marbella as the third Westin in Spain,” said Michael Wale, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East. “Westin has reached a loyal following with its winning approach to well-being and will continue to expand its footprint throughout the region.”

The Westin La Quinta Golf & Spa Resort will feature 172 luxurious guest rooms, including five suites and one Presidential Suite, which offer sweeping views of the sea, gardens, and golf course. When the hotel opens, guests will enjoy signature Westin services and amenities, such as the world-renowned Heavenly Bed and reinvigorating Heavenly Bath experience. The hotel will also consist of extensive leisure facilities, including WestinWORKOUT studio, an outdoor pool and access to an expansive 1,500 square meter Heavenly Spa.

Distinctive dining venues will provide a variety of culinary options—from Mediterranean to international—alongside the brand’s nutrient-rich and delicious SuperFoodsRx™ menus. An ideal setting for functions, the resort also boasts more than 800 square meters of event space, including a ballroom, three meeting rooms, as well as a 24-hour business center. For younger travellers, a full calendar of complimentary events and activities will be available through the Westin Family program.

For golf lovers, The Westin La Quinta Golf & Spa Resort will encompass a 27-hole Championship course of breathtaking fairways designed by Manuel Piñero. The challenging links, of which three are 9-hole greens, and their stunning scenery, promise a wide range of play for professional and amateur golfers alike. Players will also enjoy world-class facilities and services, a driving range, putting green, and a Club House with a bar and a restaurant.

“Our partnership with Starwood Hotels & Resorts and the Westin brand will deliver a best-in-class product to our guests, as well as excellent facilities and dining options for leisure travellers to the region,” said Orlando Chacra Orfali, President of Phoenix Enterprises, owner of Inversiones Hoteleras La Quinta S.L.U. “We are proud to be part of this tremendous project which marks an exciting new chapter in our enthusiasm to grow our European hotel assets.”

The resort, located in the heart of the region’s renowned golf valley, is also within easy distance of stunning Mediterranean coastline, chic resorts and the famous “Golden Mile” of prestigious nightclubs, upmarket boutiques, and bars. Nearby attractions include the remains of a ninth-century Arab fortress, the glitzy Puerto Banús marina, and the historic Encarnation’s Church.

The property is less than a 45-minute drive from Malaga International Airport, which is accessible from a toll highway that links Malaga with Marbella.

Westin La Quinta Golf Resort & Spa will be the 18th Westin hotel in Europe, joining properties in sought-after destinations including Berlin, Costa Navarino, Dublin, Madrid, Paris, Venice and Warsaw. With an unprecedented opportunity for international growth, the Westin brand is at a pivotal point in its history and is quickly establishing itself as an international market leader. Today, more than half of Westin hotels are in the United States, however more than 65% of the brand’s pipeline is outside of the U.S.