Starwood expands in Australia with Westin Coolum Resort & Spa

AccomNews Sunday, July 3, 2016

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Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has signed an agreement with Sekisui House Australia to plan and operate The Westin Coolum Resort & Spa in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

Slated to open in 2021, the resort will be part of a proposed mixed use development featuring retail shops and boutiques, plus luxury apartments. Located on Yaroomba beach, The Westin Coolum Resort & Spa will be one of very few internationally branded beachfront resorts in Australia. Starwood will work closely with Sekisui House Australia throughout the planning and design processes for the hotel.
“We are really excited to partner with Sekisui House Australia to open The Westin Coolum Resort & Spa – Australia’s first resort property under the Westin Hotels & Resorts banner,” said Sean Hunt vice president of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Pacific.

“The Westin brand is enjoying phenomenal growth both due to its innovative wellness offerings and lifestyle. By the time it welcomes its first guests, The Westin Coolum Resort & Spa will be the first new build five-star hotel to open on the Sunshine Coast in 27 years, supporting tourism growth and providing significant employment opportunities to the community.”

“We’re honored to be working with Starwood Hotels & Resorts to bring the Westin brand and its unique approach to well-being to Australia’s Sunshine Coast,” said Toru Abe, CEO & managing director, Sekisui House Australia.

“Our vision is to provide visitors to this popular family holiday destination with a relaxing, five-star wellness retreat and the Westin brand is an ideal fit for both the location and the development. We believe the Starwood Hotels & Resorts experience will be invaluable in arriving at a final plan for the hotel that respects the site and meets the Sunshine Coast council’s economic development needs; boosting tourism and awareness internationally for the region.”

“The Sunshine Coast accommodation market continues to get stronger and the timing of the Westin Coolum Resort & Spa is perfect given the growing visitor numbers and appeal of this destination, especially with the proposed expansion of the Sunshine Coast Airport, which continues to gather momentum,” said Andrew Taylor, director of acquisitions & development for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Pacific. “It’s a great time to invest in the region and this is the perfect location for Westin’s first resort style property in Australia.”