CHINA (October 17, 2011)—Westin Hotels & Resorts today announces that The Westin Xian will open December 1, 2011, marking the entry of the Westin brand into the Shaanxi province of China and one of the four major ancient civilizations in the world, along with Athens, Cairo and Rome.  A haven of rest and relaxation, The Westin Xian will offer total renewal just steps away from the ancient city’s myriad cultural attractions, restaurants, and shops. The Westin Xian will also be the first Westin in the world and the first hotel in Xian to have its own museum, paying tribute to the ancient history of China with its exceptional collection of over 2,000 artifacts.  With its opening, The Westin Xian will offer refined Chinese hospitality in a storied location, allowing guests to enjoy a refreshing and renewing travel experience.

“We are delighted to introduce the Westin brand to Xian! The location of this hotel in one of the most important cities in Chinese history (Xian has often been lauded the national history museum of China) also reinforces Westin's positioning around personal renewal by offering guests the services, products and amenities that allow them to relax and rejuvenate during their stay,” said Magdy Anis, General Manager of The Westin Xian. “With economic progress and industrial development in the last few years as well as a focus on developing Xian as a destination city, corporate and meetings demand in Xian has grown at a steady pace, in addition to the existing leisure demand.  We are confident that the entry of Westin is timely and will serve to meet the growing room and meeting demands in this market,” added Anis.

Located in the Qujiang Tourism district, the most upscale area of the city and once the site of the Royal Summer Garden of the Tang Dynasty, The Westin Xian sits directly opposite the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, built over 1,000 years ago. The eastern terminus of the Silk Road, Xian is home to an ancient walled inner city which protects the famed Bell and Drum Towers. A short 30 kilometers east of the city sits the renowned Terracotta Army vaults which date back more than 2,000 years and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hotel is just minutes from the train station and 40km from the Xi’an Xianyang International Airport.

An urban retreat dedicated to a holistic experience that revives mind, body, and spirit, The Westin Xian will feature 329 rooms and 32 one- to two-bedroom apartments. Upon welcome, guests to The Westin Xian will immediately be invited to relax and renew with a sensory-rich experience that evokes tranquility and retreat after the rigors of travel. The spacious accommodations are tastefully designed with soothing tones, and each features a flat screen LCD television, rainforest shower, extra-large closets, personal refreshment center, and Westin’s signature Heavenly bed to ensure guests enjoy a good night’s sleep.

The Westin Xian will also offer a variety of epicurean dining experiences—Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Seasonal Tastes presents nourishing and imaginative menu creations using the freshest produce and ingredients; Five Sen5es specializes in innovative and traditional Cantonese dishes which are prepared and presented with passion and flair; at Mai, guests can immerse themselves in the culture and flavors of modern and contemporary Japanese cuisine; Daily Treats is ideal for a quick coffee and light bites such as a gourmet sandwich; and Lobby Lounge, the place to relax and elevate your senses either day or night with an end-of-day cocktail or organic squeezed juice. Demonstrating The Westin Xian’s dedication to wellness, a SuperFoods Rx menu will be offered throughout the day featuring enticing, healthy food options made from ingredients that are considered the best for fighting disease and enhancing health.

Guests will be invited to recharge in the WestinWORKOUT Gym, reenergize in the indoor swimming pool, and pamper themselves in the Heavenly Spa by Westin. The hotel will also be the first Westin in the world to feature its own museum with a remarkable collection of over 2,000 artifacts on display, including an exquisite grouping of over 80 Chinese mural paintings, the world’s only suit of armor crafted entirely from gold, and a rare stone Buddha head which measures nearly one meter high.

With more than 3,300 square meters of meeting space and three banquet spaces, The Westin Xian will provide a new and exceptional destination for events.  The hotel takes a holistic approach by offering wide array of thoughtful services, including Clutter-Free Meetings and relaxing in-room massages. A state-of-the-art business center and in-room wireless high speed internet access are also designed to meet the needs of today’s business traveler.

For more information on The Westin Xian, please visit: www.westin.com/xian .

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 180 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 1058 properties in 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.  The company boasts one of the industry’s leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. 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.