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Starwood outlines ambitious expansion plan
The White Plains, NY-based Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is opening its first all-inclusive resort — the Westin Resort & Spa, Playa Conchal in Costa Rica.
“The property formerly known as the Paradisus Playa Conchal Resort will begin renovation on the hotel’s 406 spacious suites and all public areas, which will be conducted in phases through December 2011,” the company says.
The new resort marks the return of Starwood Hotels to Costa Rica after 20 years, and is the newest member of the Westin brand’s resorts portfolio, which offers 40 resorts in the world.
“The opening of The Westin Resort & Spa Playa Conchal accelerates the brand’s expansion in Latin America where Westin will open three more properties by the end of 2011 and double its portfolio by 2014,” said Brian Povinelli, global brand leader. He added:
“The Westin brand’s emphasis on wellness plays well in diverse international markets and has fueled our phenomenal global growth. More than 90 percent of Westin hotels currently in development will open outside the United States.”
Centered around an expansive, lagoon-style pool, The Westin Resort & Spa, Playa Conchal is adjacent to the championship Robert Trent Jones II golf facility and is easily accessible from the international airport in Liberia, Guanacaste.
“Costa Rica is an increasingly popular destination for tourists and leisure travelers and a terrific location for our first all-inclusive Westin Resort,” said Osvaldo Librizzi, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Latin America. He added:
“Recent growth in the all-inclusive luxury resort market in Mexico and Central America, coupled with increasing demand from our SPG members for vacation packages have created fertile conditions for our entry in the all-inclusive market.”
Westin currently has six hotels in Mexico and one in Guatemala, and will be opening four more in Latin America during the next two years including The Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center, Peru; The Westin Guadalajara, Mexico; and two in Panama: The Westin Panama and The Westin Playa Bonita.
By David Wilkening
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