Starwood to debut its Westin brand in Mauritius

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced that it will soon introduce its Westin Hotels & Resorts brand to the island of Mauritius. Owned by Blue Ocean Park Ltd., The Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa, Mauritius is scheduled to open in spring 2014. The resort will enjoy a pristine beachfront location in the historic Turtle Bay of Balaclava – the former breeding grounds of the Mauritian green sea turtle – on the North West coast of Mauritius, offering captivating views on the turquoise waves of the Indian Ocean.

“I would like to thank our long-standing partner Blue Ocean Park for putting their trust in us as we debut the Westin brand in Mauritius,” said Michael Wale, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East. “Mauritius is known to be a melting pot of the past and present, and its natural beauty and stunning landscapes provide an oasis of peace and tranquility for today’s busy traveler. We believe that our Westin brand is the ideal fit for this destination thanks to its signature programs and amenities, which are designed to help guests recharge and revitalize so when they return home they feel better than when they arrived.”

“We are delighted to expand our partnership with Starwood to introduce the Westin brand,” said Mr. Ashok Uttamchandani, owner of Blue Ocean Park. “The Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa will offer visitors a unique wellness experience in one of the most beautiful locations in Mauritius.”

Nestled in lush tropical gardens and surrounded by sugarcane fields and mountains, the 190 beautifully appointed guest rooms, including 38 suites, will be designed to embrace the natural beauty of the resort’s unique scenery. All rooms will feature the renowned Westin Heavenly Bed®, the brand’s Heavenly® Shower, Heavenly® Robe and exclusive White Tea Aloe bath amenities, as well as the latest in-room technology. The Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa, Mauritius will also offer five dining venues, including an all-day dining restaurant, two specialty restaurants, a pool restaurant and bar, as well as a lobby lounge.

The Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa, Mauritius will feature nearly 340 square meters of ultra-modern event space, including a ballroom, two meeting rooms and a fully-equipped business center, making it the perfect getaway for weddings, special occasions or small incentive meetings. Guests can find total relaxation at The Heavenly Spa by Westin™ offering an array of treatments dedicated to well-being, take a rejuvenating swim in one of the two swimming pools or exercise at WestinWORKOUT® where state-of-the-art equipment for optimum cardio and weight training, steam rooms, saunas and jacuzzis are at disposal.

Other signature Westin amenities will include the SuperFoods RX™ menu designed to treat guests to exceptional food combinations rich in nutrients, antioxidants and flavour, as well as the Westin Kids Club® that allows families to indulge in services, amenities and meals customised to the needs of their little ones.

“The signing of The Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa, Mauritius further underscores Starwood’s commitment to growing our portfolio across all of our nine brands in Africa,” said Bart Carnahan, Senior Vice President Acquisitions & Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa & Middle East. “On track to open its 200th hotel in 2014, Westin has created unwavering guest loyalty and tremendous enthusiasm among owners and developers around the world.”

The Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa, Mauritius is located only 15 kilometers from the island’s hub, Grand Baie, which is known for its shopping, restaurants, bars and nightlife. The Marine Nature Park is adjacent to the resort and provides an excellent alternative for those wishing to enjoy a leisurely stroll through relaxing and scenic surroundings.

Starwood currently operates two resorts in Mauritius, including The St. Regis Mauritius, which is located directly on the world-famous “One Eye” kite-surfing spot and the pristine white beaches at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Le Morne, and Le Méridien Ile Maurice, which is located on the North West coast bay of Pointe Aux Piments.