The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas: Opening Summer 2017, Maui's Newest Resort Now Confirming Reservations

Opening Summer 2017, Maui's Newest Resort Now Confirming Reservations

The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas kicks off bookings with exclusive Cyber Sale from Nov. 18­–Dec. 4

KAANAPALI, Hawaii -Discover nanea (relaxation and repose) at The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas, which will

 become Maui's newest resort when it opens in summer 2017.   The highly anticipated 390-villa resort

 situated on 16 oceanfront acres of North Kaanapali Beach announced that it has begun confirming reservations.

"The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas will offer guests a luxurious experience that is steeped in rich Hawaiian

 culture and tradition," said Angela Nolan, area managing director, Hawaii Villas, 

Vistana^TM Signature Experiences. "Upon its completion, a hinai (fish basket) will be featured at the

 center of the lobby. The hinai symbolizes both the stories of old Hawaii and the unwritten stories o

f our guests. We are thrilled to begin taking reservations, which kicks off the memory-making and

 story-writing of our guests' Kaanapali vacations."

To celebrate the start of bookings, The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas will offer a limited-time rate 

during its Cyber Sale. When booked from Nov. 18, 2016 through Dec. 4, 2016, rates will start at

 $625 per night (plus taxes and fees) for a two-bedroom resort-view villa for stays between

 July 1, 2017 and Sept. 4, 2017. This is up to a 20% discount. The reservations for this exclusive

 offer must be prepaid at the time of booking, are non-refundable and cannot be cancelled.

Comprised of one-, two- and three-bedroom villas, The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas is designed to 

be a relaxing haven replete with culturally inspired programs and distinctive Hawaiian experiences.

 Under the careful guidance of the resort's director of culture, Makalapua Kanuha, Hawaiian culture

 has been carefully woven into design elements throughout the property. Additionally, the Puuhonua

 o Nanea Cultural Center will be at the resort's heart. Its innovative and educational cultural offerings

 will honor local history, language, art, crafts, music and dance.

The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas' world-class amenities will include an expansive lagoon-style 

swimming pool, children's beach pool and play area, oceanfront cabanas and a WestinWORKOUT^® 

Fitness Studio. Mauka Makai Restaurant (mauka: toward the mountains; makai: toward the ocean), the

 resort's full-service restaurant, will pay tribute to the farming and fishing cultures of ancient Hawaii.

 With an emphasis on farm-to-table, Mauka Makai will utilize indigenous plants and vegetables

 grown on-site and from local farms to complement popular local dishes. It will also feature the

 Westin^® brand's signature SuperFoodsRX^TM menu with nutrient-rich and delicious options to

 tempt every palate. Additionally, the Inu (Drink) Pool Bar will provide a relaxing setting to enjoy

 oceanfront views, cocktails and lighter fare. Guests will also enjoy access to resort amenities at

 The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas located next door, including 

Spa Helani, a Heavenly Spa by Westin^®.

Each of the villas at The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas will offer many of the key amenities of home,

 combined with signature Westin touches. The master bedrooms will include king-size signature

 Westin Heavenly^® Beds and Westin Heavenly^® Baths with showers, bathtubs and vanities. The

 living areas will offer armoires, queen-size sofa sleepers and private furnished lanais. Villas will

 also come with fully equipped kitchens and washers and dryers.

For more information or to make a reservation, please visit westinnanea.com.

About The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas Situated on Maui's North Kaanapali Beach, The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas is designed to

 provide a relaxing haven complete with culturally inspired programs and authentic Hawaiian

 experiences. Every feature of the resort — from the Puuhonua o Nanea Cultural Center to the

 locally sourced art — celebrates native culture and traditions. The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas

 offers world-class amenities including an expansive lagoon-style pool, full-service restaurant

, beach bar and a WestinWORKOUT^® Fitness Studio. All villas offer many of the key amenities

 of home, combined with signature Westin^® touches, such as the Westin Heavenly^® Bed and

 Westin Heavenly^® Bath. Villas also feature fully equipped kitchens and washers and dryers. 

Visit westinnanea.com.

About Vistana Signature Experiences, Inc.Vistana^TM Signature Experiences, Inc., an operating business of ILG (NASDAQ: ILG), is the

 exclusive provider of vacation ownership for the Sheraton^® and Westin^® brands under license

 from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, LLC and is an authorized partner of the SPG^®program. 

More than 220,000 families own at the company's 20 villa resorts in the U.S., Mexico and the

 Caribbean, which operate under the Westin and Sheraton brands. Vistana offers a flexible vacation

 lifestyle, giving Owners and Members the ability to vacation within a collection of villa-style resorts

 in the best locations within the most sought-after destinations. Customers also enjoy privileged

 access to trade their ownership for stays at more than 1,300 hotels and resorts in nearly 100 countries

 through Starwood Preferred Guest^®, one of the industry's leading loyalty programs, allowing

 members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no 

blackout dates. Headquartered in Orlando, FL, and with over 4,300 employees in North America, 

Vistana continues to build on its more-than-35-year history of excellence in vacation ownership

 and leisure travel. For more information, please visit vistana.com.

Westin Hotels & Resorts Debuts In Cairo

The Westin Cairo Golf Resort & Spa Katameya Dunes sets new standard for well-being in Egypt’s capital city

Westin Hotels and Resorts, part of Marriott International, Inc. has announced the opening of Egypt’s best kept secret, The Westin Cairo Golf Resort & Spa Katameya Dunes.

Owned by New Cairo for Real Estate Investment Company, the resort and spa is located in the prestigious, residential community of Katameya Dunes, anchored by a 27-hole championship golf course designed by world-renowned Nick Faldo and Brian Curley. With Westin’s signature wellness initiatives offered for global travelers and local residents alike, the hotel is poised to set a new standard for well-being in Cairo.

“The global demand for wellness continues to propel Westin’s growth momentum around the world, including our debut in new markets like Doha and Dubai and our expanded presence in destinations like Spain, Germany and now Egypt,” said Brian Povinelli, Global Brand Leader, Westin Hotels & Resorts. “As the second hotel Westin will open in Egypt this year, we are thrilled to introduce the brand in Cairo and inspire new level of well-being for our guests’ before, during and after their stay.”

“The Westin Cairo Golf Resort & Spa Katameya Dunes provides a restorative retreat in the heart of the bustling city with genuine service, complemented with the Westin signature well-being offerings that fuel and energize our guests’ every move,” Eben Nel, General Manager, The Westin Cairo Golf Resort & spa Katameya Dunes added.

Survey Reveals America’s Most Romantic Hotel Chains

Money can’t buy love, but it can buy a romantic hotel room. There's no shortage of hotel options in the U.S., but for an anniversary, date night or specific holiday - one must book overly romantic accommodations. With Summer getaways just around the corner, MissTravel.com surveyed members to reveal the most romantic hotel chains.

New York - March 7, 2016

A good hotel, much like a good relationship, must have the perfect combination of comfort, excitement, and indulgence. The trick is finding the right match. Travel-dating website, MissTravel.com, asked members to fill out a blank form, results were then tallied to determine the most romantic hotel chain in America.

Members voted Kimpton Hotels as the most romantic. Respondents alluded to the "stylish rooms," "hosted wine tasting" and the "luxe-feel," as contributors to the romantic appeal of the boutique-hotel brand.

Top 10 Romantic Hotel Chains

Rank - Chain - Number of Votes

1 Kimpton - 10,724

2 Hyatt - 9,145

3 Hilton - 7,897

4 Marriott - 4,718

5 Omni - 3,421

6 Intercontinental - 2,573

7 W - 2,144

8 Raddison - 1,844

9 Sheraton - 1,286

10 Westin - 643

“The perfect hotel is essential to a romantic vacation,” said Brandon Wade, founder and CEO of MissTravel.com. “Travelers looking to book a romantic getaway shouldn't shy away from big-name chain hotels. Many offer unique perks and luxurious amenities which can enhance romance at a very accessible price.”

MissTravel.com is the world’s first travel-dating website, the platform connects singles for dates to popular vacation destinations. MissTravel members are frequent fliers and avid travelers.

About MissTravel

MissTravel.com is the world’s first travel dating website. Instead of the conventional date, such as movies or dinner, singles venture on first dates to vacation destinations all over the world in hopes of finding romance. MissTravel.com was founded by MIT alum and online dating expert, Brandon Wade, and joins an impressive brand family of successful niche dating websites. Launched in 2012, the site boasts over 600,000 members in 135 countries.

Hotels Expand Options To Keep Guests Healthy On The Road

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In this Jan. 24, 2016, photo, Paula Walker, center foreground, an instructor with Green Monkey... Read more

(AP) — Running concierges, a hotel mini bar stocked with produce from the local farmers market and a training wall that comes standard in every room. The hotel industry is moving beyond basement gyms and basic spa menus to accommodate guests' growing requests to stay healthy while on the road.

The trend has been a mainstay at spas and wellness resorts for years, but now hotels frequented by business travelers and families are showing that life on the go doesn't have to mean sacrificing spin class or a quinoa superfood bowl. Boutique and luxury hotels along with big name brands including Westin and Wyndham have vastly expanded fitness programs and dining options in recent years. The luxury gym Equinox is even opening its own hotel in New York.

The number of hotels with fitness facilities jumped from 63 percent in 2004 to 84 percent in 2014, according to a study by the American Hotel & Lodging Association. And hotels offering in-room exercise equipment has nearly doubled in the past 10 years, from seven to 13 percent, according to the study.

"It's what the marketplace is demanding," said Dena Roche, wellness travel expert and editor of The Travel Diet website. "People are trying to lead a healthier lifestyle in their daily life so when they go on the road they want to keep doing those things."

At the Even Hotels, every room has a training zone with a yoga mat, exercise ball, foam roller and a mounted fitness wall with resistance bands plus 19 videos and training guides to help you get your sweat on. Wyndham guests can request a room stocked with an exercise machine (like a stationary bike, elliptical machine or treadmill) and free workout wear, and the W hotel chain partnered with popular yogi Tara Stiles for free in-room yoga videos and a set of tip cards placed around the room to suggest poses to help you relax, wake up or get in the mood.

"It's pushing from a trend to a tipping point where there's mass adoption around wellness into every aspect of people's lives," Jason Moskal, a vice president at Intercontinental Hotels Group, which owns the Even brand. Even Hotels have three locations, including one in New York City, and are planning to open eight more including one in Miami.

"Everyone has a different aspect of what they're looking for ... the hotel was designed with this idea of wanting wellness on my own terms," he said.

Rooftop yoga classes are all the rage at hotels across the country including The James Hotel in New York and the Mondrian South Beach. Guests at The Standard in Miami Beach can also enjoy waterfront yoga or stand-up paddle board classes and grab a green drink from the hotel's juice bar. Their spa, which offers a variety of fitness classes for guests (some are for members only) is also a hub for sessions taught by some of the world's top yogis.

Spinning junkies only have to walk downstairs at the 1 Hotel South Beach for a Soul Cycle class.

Forgot to pack your workout clothes? No problem.  Fairmont  has partnered with Under Armour and Reebok respectively to style your workout. Westin's lending program with New Balance had a 16 percent increase in requests in 2015. At the hotel's Grand Central location in New York, more than 2,000 guests paid $5 to use a new pair of sneakers and clothes delivered to their room.

Kimpton's running kit includes a map of the Hudson River running path and pre-loaded iPod shuffle. Fairmont and several other hotels have running programs including "run concierges" at roughly 200 Westin locations and other options for runners.

The beefed-up offerings come as guests, particularly younger ones, say it's one of the deciding factors on where they will stay. Forty-five percent of millennials and 38 percent of Gen-Xers said spa and fitness centers were influential in where they booked a room, according to a 2015 survey from travel and hospitality marketing firm MMGY Global.

Several hotel chains are also targeting the tech-minded fitness buffs.  Westin is  partnering with Fitbit to deliver personalized video-based exercises that guests can download on their phones or on the Internet along with real-time feedback.

And there's no need to wonder whether there are gluten-free options at hotel restaurants. Most have even revamped the notoriously calorie-laden room service menus.

The Epiphany Hotel in Palo Alto, California, offers guests a fridge stocked with produce from a local farmers market, green juices and homemade power bars for $95. Kimpton hotels overhauled room-service menus, substituting quinoa and oats for white flour. Westin developed a SuperFoodsRx menu  less.

Westin Hotels & Resorts Brings Fans Behind-The-Scenes Of US Open

Inspired by the electric atmosphere in New York City during one of tennis’ premier events, Westin Hotels & Resorts, the official hotel sponsor of the US Open since 2010, announced today two new ways for both guests and tennis enthusiasts to experience the tournament.

GO BEHIND-THE-COURTS

As excitement builds for the finals of the season-ending Grand Slam® tournament, Westin Hotels will take fans on a journey behind-the-scenes of the US Open with their inaugural Beyond the Baseline live show. Hosted by well-known sideline reporter Julie Alexandria and Olympic silver medalist, Tim Morehouse, each show will feature unique segments with tennis’ elite players, celebrity patrons and dedicated fans, giving viewers an inside look at what goes on at the major competition.

Planned segments include:

• On The Road Presented By Westin: A look at how players manage their non-stop travel schedules without sacrificing their fitness and mental wellbeing.

• The Heat Index: A daily pulse check on what’s hot socially at the US Open, allowing audience members to participate in daily trivia polls, hot topics and more by following along with #beyondbaseline.

• Best Of The Blue Carpet: Everything viewers need to know about the celebrity world at the US Open, including interviews from the Blue Carpet, live shots from the stands and on-set cameos.

• All-Access Pass: The ultimate behind-the-scenes tour of the US Open’s inner-workings, taking the audience through the grounds, from the luxury suites and the player’s lounge, to the kitchens, all 17 courts, and more.

Spectators who make it out to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center during the two week tournament can stop by the Baseline Stage located outside the East Side of Arthur Ashe Stadium next to the US Open Club each morning and evening to view a live taping. Beyond the Baseline will air every day during the tournament at 7pm EST on usopen.org/beyondthebaseline.

TWO WEEKS OF TENNIS LOVE

As the action heats up on the court, tennis fans can cool down at The Westin New York at Times Square without missing a minute of the primetime excitement. To get guests in the game day spirit, Westin will present Match Point Hour an evening match viewing series featuring experiential activities so that fans can feel like they’re a part of the tournament action without leaving Manhattan.

Starting Monday, August 31 through Thursday, September 10, from 6:30-9:00pm every night in Bar 10, guests and locals alike will be able to catch a live viewing of Beyond the Baseline and the evening matches. Spectators can test out their swing skills with a complimentary Wii™ tennis station, sip on fan-favorite Grey Goose® Honey Deuce, the signature cocktail of the US Open since 2007, as well as fuel up between plays with a tennis-inspired SuperFoodsRX® bar menu. On Thursday, September 3 through Saturday, September 5, Westin will also offer a special Tennis Gear Tune Up Station available for anyone interested in stepping up their game. Patrons can have their tennis gear evaluated, racquets restrung and receive a professional swing analysis from a tennis pro.

"All of the activities that Westin is offering during the US Open are designed to enhance the viewing experience and transport at-home spectators from their seats to the stadium,” said Bob Jacobs, Vice President of Brand Management, North America, Westin and Sheraton. "Beyond the Baseline and Match Point Hour bring our guests closer to one of the sports’ most exciting tournaments, providing an opportunity for fans to discover new and playful facts about their favorite players, view matches in a beautiful, upscale environment and find inspiration to get moving on the courts themselves."

The Westin brand’s tennis offerings extend beyond the US Open to Westin Resort properties, where guests can move well on beautifully manicured courts during daytime and early evening hours. Players of all levels can enjoy match play, casual games, or lessons with the seasoned Westin pros.

Starwood Hotels Expands Presence In Canada

TORONTO, Canada - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc today announced the signings of two new build properties: The Westin Calgary Airport, owned by PAL Hospitality Ltd, and The Westin Edmonton Gateway, owned by Neelam Investments Ltd. With these new signings, Starwood will further strengthen its footprint across Canada, while significantly bolstering its upper-upscale presence in Alberta.

“We are very excited to continue growing our reach in Canada with this strategic expansion of the Westin brand in key Alberta markets,” said Alison Reid, Senior Vice President of North America Development for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. “We highly value our relationships with owners and franchisees, and continue to see strong interest from partners looking to leverage Starwood's powerful brands, network, global booking platforms and loyal customer base."

With 250 guestrooms, The Westin Calgary Airport will be located directly on Calgary International Airport property. The five-story hotel will feature a Westin Club Lounge, 30,000 square feet of meeting space, restaurant and lounge. The Westin Edmonton Gateway will offer 225 guestrooms, as well as a Westin Club Lounge, full restaurant, contemporary bar and more than 10,000 square feet of meeting space. The hotel will be located near The Anthony Henday Expressway, which encircles Edmonton, providing convenient access throughout the city and to downtown.

Both hotels will embrace the Westin brand positioning of For a better you™ by offering programs designed to inspire balance and enhance well-being, leaving guests feeling better than when they arrived. The properties will be fully equipped with the brand’s signature amenities, such as the world-renowned Westin Heavenly® Bed, the Heavenly® Bath experience, and an ergonomic work area for optimal productivity.

“These hotels are a great example of how Starwood is working proactively to increase our portfolio throughout Canada with the right partners, the right properties and in the right places,” said Scott T. Duff, Sr. Director Development - Canada & Alaska. “Our solid portfolio of 67 hotels in the country across seven of our brands positions us well for continued growth across the country across all segments.”

Starwood Hotels is also pleased to welcome The Gupta Group / Easton’s Group of Hotels, to the Starwood family. The Gupta Group recently acquired The Westin Bristol Place Toronto Airport Hotel, assuming the franchise licensing agreement for the hotel. The hotel is located adjacent to Toronto Pearson International Airport and just 25 minutes from downtown Toronto. With the purchase of the property, Easton’s Group, led by owner Steve Gupta will invest $9 Million in renovations to the hotel over the next year.

The momentum continues for Starwood Hotels in Canada, with opportunity for growth across all its brands, including the newly introduced Tribute Portfolio™. A robust pipeline of future openings is spurred by growth of Starwood’s Specialty Select brands. Boasting the largest portfolio among all of Starwood brands in Canada, Four Points by Sheraton will soon welcome new properties including Four Points by Sheraton Moncton, Four Points by Sheraton Surrey, Four Points by Sheraton Regina, Four Points by Sheraton Edmonton West, Four Points by Sheraton Sherwood Park, Four Points by Sheraton Grande Prairie, Four Points by Sheraton Lloydminster, Four Points by Sheraton Estevan and Four Points by Sheraton Saint John. After the recent opening of Element Vancouver Metrotown, momentum for Starwood’s trailblazing eco-wise Element brand continues in Canada with plans to open Element Calgary Airport and Element Edmonton West in the coming years.