Starwood announces the grand opening of The Westin Beijing - Financial Street, located in the heart of Beijing, in the "Wall Street of China," the new hotel and residences offer ample meeting space, an array of world-class cuisine options and Westin signature amenities designed to elicit personal renewal. Starwood currently operates 31 hotels in Greater China and is expected to open 34 new properties in the region within the next three years.

Just 40 minutes from the airport, The Westin Beijing, Financial Street provides direct access to Beijing's business, entertainment and shopping district and close proximity to cultural landmarks such as The Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. The hotel boasts two 26-floor towers: one housing 486 hotel rooms and suites and the other featuring 205 one, two and three-bedroom residences.

"We believe that both tourists and business travelers alike will delight in both the luxurious accommodations and instinctive services provided by The Westin Beijing, Financial Street, enabling them to enrich their mind, body and spirit in China's capital city," said Sue Brush, senior vice president, Westin Hotels & Resorts.

During the hotel's grand opening gala event, Ms. Brush joined esteemed guests in a celebratory toast, including Mr. Miguel Ko, president of Starwood Asia Pacific, Mr. GongWei Wang, chairman of Beijing HuaRong Investment Company, Ms. XiWen Lv, the standing commissioner of Beijing City committee of Chinese Communist Party, Mr. YunSheng Bai, deputy chief executive of Beijing Xicheng District People's Government, Mr. Qian Jin, area managing director of Starwood Hotels in China, and Mr. Charlie Dang, general manager of the hotel. The opening event showcased an array of sights and sounds designed to evoke The Westin brand's core values, including fireworks that illuminated the hotel's Zen garden.

In addition to providing instinctive, personalized service, The Westin Beijing, Financial Street enhances the guest experience with soothing touches, including a subtle earth tone decor, mood music, and ambient lighting in the lobby. Available to both hotel guests and residents, Westin's renowned services and amenities include The Westin Heavenly Bed(R), Westin WORKOUT(R) Powered by Reebok, Westin Kids Club(R), and The Westin signature sensory welcome. Guests seeking an opportunity to socialize will appreciate Unwind: a Westin evening ritual featuring the tastes, sights and sounds of Beijing.

"Financial Street is quickly becoming the Wall Street of China," said Charlie Dang, General Manager of the Westin Beijing. "With the innovative services and distinctive Westin culture, we are confident that The Westin Beijing, Financial Street will set a new standard of hospitality in Beijing."

The hotel is proud to introduce China's first Westin Heavenly Spa(R), fusing modern hydrotherapy with ancient Chinese-inspired treatments. This sophisticated urban sanctuary offers a series of therapies and treatments designed to cast off fatigue, while encouraging balance, repose and wellness.

The Westin Executive Residences are fully equipped apartments, offering a combination of one, two and three bedroom floor plans tailored for longer-term stays. Each apartment is outfitted with contemporary furnishings, fully equipped kitchens, state-of-the-art appliances, home entertainment system, LCD flat screen televisions and complimentary high speed Internet access.

The seven distinctive restaurants at The Westin Beijing, Financial Street provide a rich array of international cuisine, including authentic Cantonese dishes and regional home-style Italian fare. Those in search of a fulfilling dessert can visit Treats, which offers an extensive range of signature cakes, pastries, pies and handmade chocolates.

For meeting planners, the hotel offers more than 18,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space to suit every occasion. For greater flexibility, the ballroom can be divided into three areas and an additional seven meeting rooms are all equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual facilities. This dedicated meeting and banquet floor includes a specialized meeting planners lounge and business center, and complimentary wireless high speed internet access.