Starwood has confirmed that Auckland's prestigious waterfront precinct, will become home to a 173-room Westin hotel – the first time the Westin brand has entered the New Zealand market.

The Westin Auckland, Lighter Quay is due to open by mid 2007 and will be the fourth Westin property in the Pacific region, joining Westins in Melbourne, Sydney and the recently opened resort and spa on Denarau Island, Fiji. The signing of The Westin Auckland, Lighter Quay also marks the return of Starwood Hotels & Resorts to New Zealand, as well as another major step in Starwood Hotels & Resorts' fast-track expansion in Asia Pacific.

This is the eighth Westin development announced by Starwood in just the first three quarters of 2006. New developments announced earlier in the year include Westins in Guangzhou, Zhejiang and Beijing in China; Bangalore and Sohna in India; Fiji and Langkawi, Malaysia.

Located on the water at Lighter Quay, Viaduct Harbour in Auckland, The Westin Auckland, Lighter Quay will feature 173 rooms including 9 suites, an Executive Club lounge, an all-day dining restaurant, a bar and café, 11,000 square feet of meeting space, health club and spa. Lighter Quay is one of New Zealand's most prestigious waterfront neighborhoods and is located on the waterfront of Auckland's central business district.

"The location of this spectacular new hotel on the water at Lighter Quay, as well as its thoughtful design to feature Westin's signature products and services reinforces Westin's new brand positioning around personal renewal by offering guests the services and amenities that allow them to relax, rejuvenate and restore during their stay," commented Miguel Ko, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific.