Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has opened the Westin Jekyll Island, one of six new Westin hotels opening in North America this year.
“The Westin Jekyll Island is a terrific new addition to the Westin brand’s growing portfolio,” says Bob Jacobs, vice president of brand management for Sheraton and Westin. “This spectacular new Westin hotel showcases all of the brand’s services and amenities designed to inspire well-being within close proximity of the area’s premier convention facility, as well as a variety of attractions.”
The 200-room, convention-class, beachfront hotel is located on Jekyll Island, a barrier island off the coast of Georgia, within the island’s Beach Village project, which includes an oceanfront promenade, village green, restaurants, upscale boutiques, Great Dunes Park, and the 128,000-square-foot beachfront Jekyll Island Convention Center. The hotel is also near the National Historic Landmark District, four golf courses, and the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.
Owned by Jekyll Oceanfront Hotel (JOFH), the property is a joint venture between several investors, including Leon N. Weiner & Associates (LNWA) and New Castle Hotels & Resorts.
“This hotel was purpose built to be a catalyst in the revitalization of Jekyll Island,” says Dave Curtis, president of LNWA. “Coupled with the convention center, the Westin Jekyll Island makes this cherished barrier island a best-in-class destination and a first-choice option for meeting planners who prefer to keep their meetings in state, or within the region.”
Memphis-based LLW Architects designed the five-story, U-shaped hotel to meet LEED Silver specifications and minimize its environmental impact.
“Jekyll Island is known for its thoughtful stewardship of the island’s environment and its storied past,” says David Buffam, CEO of New Castle Hotels & Resorts. “That’s why the Westin brand, with its emphasis on well-being and careful handling of natural resources, was the only choice for this one-of-a-kind project.”