Exclusive: Starwood confirms Westin Perth
Starwood has officially confirmed the signing of The Westin Perth, a project that was announced by the West Australian Government just prior to Christmas.
The management agreement for The Westin Perth, owned by BGC (Australia) Pty Ltd, marks the brand’s entry into Western Australia and the property will be located on Hay Street in the city.
The property, expected to open in 2017, is part of a large mixed-use redevelopment of the former FESA House site in Perth’s CBD.
Starwood Hotels and Resorts’ Regional Vice President – Pacific, Sean Hunt, said the signing of The Westin Perth leverages the existing recognition of the Westin brand in the country, and fuels Starwood’s growth momentum in the Asia Pacific region.
“We are delighted to announce this new partnership with BGC, introducing the Westin brand, and its distinctive positioning around healthy lifestyles and choices, to Western Australia,” he said.
“We are building on a strong reputation of quality and innovation in this market, which underpins Starwood’s success in the region.”
The new property will feature 350 guestrooms including 30 suites that will be outfitted with the brand’s signature amenities such as the Westin Heavenly Bed, the Heavenly Bath and an ergonomic work area.
“We are delighted to partner with the internationally recognised Starwood Hotels and Resorts at 480 Hay Street,” said BGC (Australia) Pty Ltd Director, Julian Ambrose.
“Our mixed use precinct will include a combination of retail, commercial, entertainment and accommodation and will be a vibrant and exciting destination for Perth.
“The five-star Westin hotel promises to engage visitors and locals alike with its strong brand and international reputation for quality that appeals to both the corporate and leisure traveller,” he said
The hotel will offer two distinct food and beverage venues: the Lobby Lounge and a full service restaurant providing a range of healthy fare, including an innovative menu of specific, delicious foods pairings designed to boost nutritional value.
Other signature services include an indulgent spa, large-scale fitness center and an outdoor infinity swimming pool.
In addition, The Westin Perth will expand Perth’s offering for meeting and event planners with over 1,000 square metres of meeting space, which will be comprised of a 800-square metre ballroom and 340-square metres of divisible function facilities.
Additional hotel features will include a business centre, executive lounge, retail store and guest parking.
“Perth is undergoing a rapid transformation with the opening of new bars, restaurants and retail outlets, and this is a prime location for development and the Westin brand’s entry into Western Australia,” said Starwood Hotels and Resorts’ Acquisitions and Development – Pacific, Andrew Taylor.
“The Westin Perth will meet the growing need for high end accommodation in this dynamic city, which has the highest occupancies and average daily rates in the country.”
West Australia’s Tourism Minister Liza Harvey said the world-class hotel was the first in the city to be developed under the State Government’s hotel incentives policy.
“The hotel will deliver a massive boost for tourism, providing much needed rooms in Perth’s CBD for leisure and corporate visitors to Western Australia,” Harvey said.
“In addition to the hotel, there will be mixed use and retail development which will add further vibrancy to the city, as well as more than 30,000sqm of office space,” she said.
Harvey said the State Government’s hotel development incentive policy was announced in October 2011 and after a competitive expression of interest process, BGC was last year selected from a high quality shortlist as the preferred proponent to develop the FESA House site.
The Minister said although hotels in Perth are in huge demand, without the incentives package hotels were not as lucrative as other forms of development like office towers.
“Tourism WA will continue to closely monitor supply and demand to ensure a measured application of the development incentives,” Harvey said.
Source: Hotel Management - 8 January 2014