Located in the true center of Sydney�s central business district, the hotel will be situated at No. 1 Martin Place between George Street and Pitt Street, the prime office and shopping districts of Sydney. With some of the most technically sophisticated function space and boasting some of the most spacious guestrooms in the city, The Westin Sydney will set a new standard in hospitality.

James Simkins, General Manager said, �The opening of The Westin Sydney marks the introduction of the Westin brand to the Australian market for the first time ever and we are extremely pleased to do so with such a historic and prestigious Sydney landmark.� Additionally, in February 2000, the Westin brand will increase its presence in Australia with the launch of The Westin Melbourne on Regent Place. 

The hotel�s 417 guestrooms are divided between 51 Heritage Rooms including one Long Suite in the historic GPO building and 366 guestrooms including 18 Suites in the modern 31-story tower connected to the historic portion which is designed to complement the Heritage building and Clock Tower. Each guestroom is decorated in residential style, re-interpreted from the classic and simple designs of the 1950s, with furnishings in soft tones, rich textures and bold shapes. The influence of color is drawn from Sydney sandstone and limestone, the blues of the harbor and light timber tonings of Snow Birch. All guestrooms feature two digital and two analog phone and data port lines and an in-room safe large enough to accommodate a laptop computer.  The Grand Ballroom is the largest pillar free hotel ballroom in Sydney, with a capacity to seat 1000 guests for a banquet event. Above its sail shaped canopy ceiling are catwalks equipped with the most technically advanced sound, light and video systems available in Australia. For smaller events the ballroom can be divided into four separate rooms, each possessing individual audiovisual control booths.  The development of the GPO has allowed the restoration of many of the building�s finest spaces. The former Telegraph Exchange, with its trussed barrel vault ceiling, has been restored as The Heritage Ballroom. Located on the top level of the historic GPO building, The Heritage Ballroom retains the elegant arched and circular windows and is able to accommodate up to 300 guests banquet style.

The old Telecommunications Center of the GPO has been converted into six specialized meeting and conference rooms. The Heritage Conference Center and Boardroom contains the latest audiovisual technology, ergonomically designed furnishings and meeting facilities to suit every client specification.  Guests and visitors to The Westin Sydney will have several dining options, including The Lounge located in the lobby and set in a club-style atmosphere serving High Tea, drinks and cocktails. The Bar, in the atrium courtyard will be open seven days a week and offers an upbeat and lively meeting place to locals and guests alike. The e-Cafe has a view to the activity of the courtyard where guests can enjoy a quick bite to eat such as specialty bagels and great gourmet coffees.

New city dining at Mosaic will feature contemporary Australian cuisine and special seasonal dishes created by Chef Scott Webster. Chef Webster has developed a degustation menu for dinner, offering smaller portions with greater choices using uniquely Australian flavors. The cellar stores wines from the Southern Hemisphere with an emphasis on boutique vineyards of Australia.

Westin Hotels Resorts, with more than 105 hotels and resorts in 23 countries, is owned by Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Starwood Hotels Resorts Worldwide, Inc., through its St Regis Luxury Collection, Westin, Sheraton, Four Points, W and Caesars subsidiaries, is one of the leading hotel and gaming operating companies in the world with more than 712 hotels in 72 countries and 125,000 employees.