"The recent structuring of both the Sheraton and Westin brands under the Starwood ownership umbrella enables us to more accurately identify and position the expansion building as a separate, upscale hotel in the eyes of the traveling public. At the same time, we can still achieve the efficiencies of operating both The Westin Palo Alto and the Sheraton Palo Alto as one combined hotel," remarked Chen. "The expansion is a physically separate building, with a compatible but different architectural style from the existing Sheraton Palo Alto Hotel. There is no physical modification to our plans, so this action brings another great upscale hotel brand to Palo Alto without any adverse development impact on the community."

The Westin Palo Alto's design is reminiscent of the small, courtyard- oriented garden hotels in southern France and Italy. The architecture is understated, with old-world charm reflected in the tile roofs, rustic stone details, wrought-iron balconies, wood shutters, and vine-covered trellises. Making full use of its site, the hotel is laid out in five connecting buildings, which focus inward toward a series of five lushly landscaped courtyards. Each oversized guestroom and suite overlooks one of the intimately-scaled courtyards. 

The five-story building steps down to two stories at the street, emphasizing the pedestrian scale.

The Westin Palo Alto will offer 1,500 square feet of meeting space, an upscale restaurant, a lounge opening onto the swimming pool and business services. Additionally, guests will have full access to all of the services and facilities at the 343-room Sheraton Palo Alto immediately adjacent to The Westin Palo Alto. Parking will be available in an underground garage.

Guests of The Westin Palo Alto will enjoy added benefits unique to Westin. For an additional fee above the standard guest room rate, the hotel will offer Westin's Guest Office(R) accommodations which double as offices. Each room features an in-room multifunction laser printer/fax/copier, dual line speaker phone with data port, Macintosh and IBM-compatible computer printer cable and surge protector, ergonomically correct desk chair, task lamp, complimentary newspaper and free local phone calls. Service Express(R), a "one call does it all" concept exclusive to Westin hotels and resorts allows guests to dial one number on their telephone to order room service, call for a bellman or room attendant or have any other request filled.

Additionally, Westin keeps in mind the special needs of families traveling with children with its Westin Kids Club(R) program. The club includes provisions for children's safety and security as well as conveniences designed to make overnight and dining experiences more enjoyable for both parents and children. Guests who stay at either The Westin Palo Alto or the Sheraton Palo Alto will be able to earn their way toward free travel in Starwood's new frequent guest program, Starwood Preferred Guest. With more than 550 participating hotels and resorts in more than 60 countries, including 100 resorts around the world, the new program is the industry's most global and promises to be the best of the competition with a structure focused on simplicity, flexibility in redemption options and inclusion of all of Starwood's brands.

Pacific Hotel Management, LLC manages six hotels in California for affiliated entities, including the 343-room Sheraton Palo Alto Hotel in Palo Alto; the 153-room Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Emeryville, CA; the 149-room Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Richmond, CA; the 120-suite Residence Inn by Marriott in Milpitas, CA; the 320-room Holiday Inn - Convention Center in Pasadena, CA; and the 147-room Holiday Inn in Laguna Hills, CA. In addition to the Westin Palo Alto Hotel in Palo Alto, Clement Chen Associates is developing the 184-suite Hawthorn Suites in Newark, CA which is scheduled to open in September 1999.

Westin Hotels Resorts, with more than 105 hotels and resorts in 23 countries, is owned by Starwood Hotels Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Starwood Hotels Resorts Worldwide, Inc., through its Sheraton, Westin, St. Regis/Luxury Collection, Four Points, W and Caesars subsidiaries, has approximately 690 hotels in nearly 71 countries with some 230,000 rooms and 125,000 employees, and is one of the largest hotel and gaming companies in the world.