Westin to Open Condo Hotel on St. Marten in Caribbean

A new Westin hotel, the Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort & Spa, will open on the Caribbean island of St. Maarten in December 2006. The property will fly the Westin flag and is developed, owned and managed by Columbia Sussex, developer, owner and operator of more than 85 hotels and seven casinos around the world.

The resort will offer 317 guest rooms and suites (most with ocean views), multiple oceanfront dining options, two lounges, a full-service spa, a casino, retail shops, one of the island's largest freshwater infinity pools with 17 pool side and beach cabanas, a hot tub, swim-up bar and expansive meeting and event facilities.

Ninety-nine for-sale condominiums are located on the resort grounds and comprise The Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Residences. The condominiums are currently under development and range in price from US$895,000 to US$2 million. Owners will be able to enjoy full access to all of the resort's services and amenities.

“Expansion in the Caribbean is key to our growth strategy,” said Sue Brush, senior vice president of Westin Hotels & Resorts. “A resort of this caliber on the magnificent Dawn Beach is an ideal addition to our global collection of hotels. In keeping with the Westin brand promise, guests at The Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach will benefit from relaxation and personal renewal.”

Situated on Dawn Beach, one of the best of the 37 pristine beaches on the 37-square-mile island, the resort and condominium homes feature balconies, French doors and oversized bathrooms. All of the resort's guestroom suites and residences feature the Westin brand's signature Heavenly Bed and Heavenly Bath. Guests of the resort can also enjoy the WestinWORKOUT Powered by Reebok fitness facility.

Resort dining fuses local island flavor, uncompromising service, quality and spectacular views. Five dining options exist.  Ocean views are a feature at all resort restaurants. Additionally, 24-hour room service is available.

The 10,124 square-foot Hibiscus Spa, specializing in massage, features 13 treatment rooms.

The resort can accommodate events both large and small with more than 20,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space.