The Westin Excelsior, Venice Lido, Italy; Hotel Cala di Volpe, Costa Smeralda,
Italy and Hotel Maria Cristina, A Westin Hotel, San Sebastian, Spain,
Rank Among Top 15 in 'Hotel' Category
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Jan. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Three of Starwood Hotels &
Resorts' (NYSE: HOT) hotels were designated as the "Best in Hotel" category in
the February 2001 Conde Nast Traveler's European "Top 25 Seaside Resorts"
list. Hotels were selected for their appeal to travelers in the areas of
style, fashion and taste and were rated by category, such as ambience,
beaches, village life and hotels. Resorts selected were located in such
exotic locales as the Italian and French Riviera, Greek isles, the Adriatic
coastline and both the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts. Starwood's three
hotels were nominated in the Top 15 List under the "Hotel" category.
The Westin Excelsior is located on Venice Lido, one of the world's most
fabled resorts situated on the beautiful Adriatic Sea. Nestled among
flowering terraces, lush gardens and a manicured beach, the hotel features
outstanding graphic tile work and dramatic architecture, a combination of
Venetian palatial splendor and Byzantine influences. The hotel, which was
inaugurated at the beginning of the last century, evokes a rich, colorful past
with its Oriental-Moorish architectural flourishes. The Westin Excelsior
offers all the amenities and services expected from a great resort hotel.
Three restaurants featuring outstanding Mediterranean cuisine and regional
specialties native to the Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Guilia regions are on-
site, while the Blue Bar offers pre-dinner aperitifs or after-meeting
relaxation with discreet live music in the evening. A seaside beach, large
heated outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts and horseback riding stables are
also located at the hotel. The 18-hole Venice Golf Club is only 10 minutes
away, and a courtesy launch boat tours guests to the historic center of
Venice.
Overlooking the Urmea River and the sea on the north coast of Spain, the
Hotel Maria Cristina, A Westin Hotel, evokes the era of "La Belle Epoque" and
has been a social and cultural center since 1912, hosting the most important
events held in San Sebastian. Home to the International Film Festival, the
hotel is surrounded by promenades and gardens, and many rooms offer views of
the sea and Urmea River. Enjoy live piano music nightly at the Gritti Bar,
and savor classic Basque cuisine, creative seasonal dishes and an extensive
selection of Spanish wines at Easo, the hotel's restaurant. From winter's
cider cellar dinners to September's regattas, the elegant city of San
Sebastian is devoted to the good life. The beach is only a few blocks away
and the world-renowned Guggenheim Bilbao Museum is a short drive from the
hotel.
A member of The Luxury Collection, the legendary Hotel Cala di Volpe is
located in Costa Smeralda, (English translation -"Emerald Coast") and is
situated on the northeast corner of the large Italian Mediterranean island of
Sardinia. It is a charming, isolated village-style resort directly on the sea
that blends magnificently with beautiful views from the terraces of all rooms.
The pastel colors of the hotel's characteristic "old village" design contrast
beautifully with the hues of a supple turquoise sea. Embraced by the charm of
Restaurant Cala di Volpe, guests dine upon Mediterranean delicacies prepared
from the finest local fare. The hotel's sumptuous poolside buffets are
legendary among vacationing travelers. The Pontile Bar is the perfect setting
for a more intimate rendezvous and favorite drinks. To complete the resort
experience, sports and recreational facilities include tennis courts, putting
green, water skiing school, the adjacent Pevero Golf Club and an Olympic-size
saltwater swimming pool set in the hotel's landscaped gardens. Hotel Cala di
Volpe is accessible to many of Sardinia's historical and archeological
attractions of past civilizations including Roman and Carthaginian ruins,
Genoan fortresses and Pisan churches.
For reservations or more information on The Westin Excelsior or the Hotel
Maria Cristina, A Westin Hotel, please call (800)-WESTIN-1, contact your
travel counselor or visit http://www.westin.com. Reservations for the Hotel
Cala di Volpe may be made through the worldwide Luxury Collection Reservations
offices, reachable toll-free in 34 countries (1-800-325-3589 in the U.S. or
Canada). Reservations also may be made by visiting the worldwide web site
http://www.luxurycollection.com.
Starwood is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world
with more than 725 properties in 80 countries and 120,000 employees at its
owned and managed properties. With internationally renowned brands, Starwood
is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchiser of hotels and resorts
including: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by
Sheraton, W brands, as well as Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the
premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership
resorts.
** Please contact Starwood's new toll-free media hotline at (866) 4-STAR-PR
(866-478-2777) for photography or additional information **
SOURCE Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.starwoodlodging.com
http://www.westin.com http://www.luxurycollection.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/443150.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 443150
CONTACT:
Mark Ricci, Public Relations Manager of
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., 914-640-8496,
mark.ricci@starwoodhotels.com
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