Westin Hotels & Resorts are an upscale hotel chain owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. As of 2005 Westin operated over 120 hotels in 24 countries.
History
In 1930, hotel owners Severt W. Thurston and Frank Dupar, both of Yakima, Washington USA, formed a partnership in order to manage their hotels more efficiently. Together with Peter and Adolph Schmidt they formed Western Hotels, with seventeen properties, all but one in the state of Washington.
Early management developed each property individually. After more than two decades of rapid growth, prompting a name change in 1954 to Western International Hotels, many of its properties were merged into a single corporate structure in 1958, and the company went public in 1963. For its 50th anniversary in 1980, it changed its name again to the current Westin Hotels & Resorts.
In 1970, the chain was acquired by UAL Corporation. In 1987, UAL Chairman Richard Ferris announced a plan to make UAL into Allegis, a travel conglomerate based around United Airlines, Hertz Rent a Car, Hilton Hotels, and Westin and linked by Apollo. This strategy failed, however, and Westin was sold to Aoki Corporation of Japan. In 1994 Aoki sold it to Starwood Capital, real estate investment firm and parent of Starwood Lodging, and Goldman Sachs, an investment bank. In 1998 Starwood assumed full ownership of the company.
Westin claims to have been the first hotel chain to introduce guest credit cards (in 1946), 24-hour room service (1969), and personal voice mail in each room (1991).
Westin markets certain amenities available in its properties to the public under the brand name Heavenly . In 2005, Westin became the first hotel company to gain a national retail store presence when Nordstrom started carrying the Heavenly Bed line in more than 60 stores.
Westin is refreshed its partnership with United Airlines in 2008. United offers pillows and blankets from their Heavenly Bed line on select United premium service routes between New York City and California, as well as Westin decorations and scents in some Red Carpet Club lounges.
Gallery
References
- ^ "J.D. Power and Associates 2002 North America Guest Satisfaction Survey" . http://www.jdpower.com/presspass/pr/images/2002068afull.gif . Retrieved 2007-12-28 .
- ^ a b "Westin Hotels and Resorts Records, 1905-2004". Washington State University Libraries . http://www.wsulibs.wsu.edu/holland/masc/westin/front.HTM . Retrieved 2007-12-28 .
- ^ "Westin History". Starwood Hotels . http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/about/history.html . Retrieved 2007-12-28 .
- ^ February Special: A 29th Day to Save - WSJ.com
External links
- Westin Hotels &
Westin Galleria Houston (Houston, TX) - Hotel Reviews - TripAdvisor
Westin Galleria Houston, Houston: See 62 traveler reviews, 26 candid photos, and great deals for Westin Galleria Houston, ranked #192 of 395 hotels in Houston and rated 3 of 5 at ...
Westin Houston Hotels: The Westin Galleria Houston - Hotel Rooms at ...
explore westin hotels and resorts worldwide, and reserve our best available rates.
The Westin Oaks Houston, Houston Hotels : Reviews of The Westin Oaks ...
$129. Check Rates. Hotel Class: 5011 Westheimer Rd at Post Oak Houston, TX 77056. Now known around the country for its Heavenly Bed, Westin properites will have you dreaming about ...
Westin Hotels and Resorts - Houston Texas TX hotels
Westin Hotels and Resorts hotels in Houston, TX ... Expect a warm welcome when you arrive at The Westin Galleria Houston. Connected to The Galleria Shopping Center (Houstonâ??s #1 ...
Houston Galleria Hotel Specials From Westin Galleria Houston
Houston Galleria Hotel Specials From Westin Galleria Houston - View hotel offers.
Westin Oaks (Houston, TX) - Motel Reviews - TripAdvisor
Westin Oaks, Houston: See 46 traveler reviews, candid photos, and great deals for Westin Oaks, ranked #157 of 395 hotels in Houston and rated 3 of 5 at TripAdvisor.
Houston Hotels: The Westin Galleria Houston
Houston hotel accommodations near the galleria ... 5060 West Alabama · Houston, TX 77056 · United States · Phone: (713) 960-8100 ...
Westin Oaks Hotel Houston (TX) - HotelTravel.com HOTEL DISCOUNTS ...
GUARANTEED LOWEST RATES at Westin Oaks Hotel. REVIEW - The Westin Oaks Houston Hotel is set in the bustling area of uptown Houston near the Galleria Mall. It caters to both bu
Westin Galleria Houston Hotel - HotelTravel.com HOTEL DISCOUNTS ...
GUARANTEED LOWEST RATES at Westin Galleria Houston Hotel. REVIEW - Connected to the prestigious Galleria Shopping Mall, the Westin Galleria Houston Hotel is the perfect place to ...
Houston Westin Hotels & Resorts Hotels in Houston, TX - Yahoo! Travel
Save, organize and share your trip ideas with Trip Planner