Have you ever wondered if Westin Hotels & Resorts is now owned by Marriott? If you’re a loyal customer of either of these brands, you may have noticed some changes in recent years. Here’s what you need to know about the acquisition of Westin by Marriott International.
What Happened?
In 2016, Marriott International acquired Starwood Hotels & Resorts, which included Westin Hotels & Resorts. Prior to the acquisition, Marriott was already the largest hotel company in the world, but the addition of Starwood gave the company an even greater presence in the market.
Since Westin was now part of the Marriott family, it meant that Marriott had access to Westin’s loyal customers and extensive global network. At the same time, Westin gained access to Marriott’s resources, including their rewards program, Marriott Bonvoy.
What Does This Mean for Customers?
From a customer perspective, the acquisition of Westin by Marriott doesn’t have a significant impact on the guest experience. Westin still operates as a distinct brand within the Marriott portfolio, with its own unique design and branding.
Westin guests still have access to all the same amenities and services they would have had prior to the acquisition, including the signature Westin Heavenly Bed. They can also earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points for stays at Westin properties, as well as other Marriott-owned brands.
What Does This Mean for Marriott?
From a business perspective, the acquisition of Westin has been a huge win for Marriott. In addition to the aforementioned benefits, Westin brought an impressive portfolio of hotels and resorts to the table, adding more than 220 properties to Marriott’s existing portfolio.
It also gave Marriott an edge over its competitors, enabling them to attract customers who were loyal to the Westin brand. By expanding into the upper-upscale segment of the market, Marriott was able to offer a wider range of options for guests, from budget to luxury.
Conclusion
So, is Westin now owned by Marriott? The answer is yes. But while the acquisition was a significant move for Marriott, it hasn’t had a major impact on the guest experience at Westin properties. Guests can still expect the same high level of service and amenities they’ve come to expect from Westin, now backed by the resources of the world’s largest hotel company.
FAQ
Is Westin part of Marriott Bonvoy?
Yes, Westin is part of Marriott Bonvoy, which is the global travel program offered by Marriott International. The Westin brand is owned by Marriott International, and as such, its hotels and resorts participate in Marriott Bonvoy. This means that guests staying at a Westin property can earn and redeem points through the Marriott Bonvoy rewards program, as well as enjoy the various benefits offered by the program. Some of these benefits include free Wi-Fi access, member exclusive rates, mobile check-in, and access to luxury travel experiences. Additionally, Marriott Bonvoy members can use their points to book award free nights at Westin properties around the world. Westin’s partnership with Marriott Bonvoy provides an added layer of convenience and value to guests staying at their hotels and resorts.
When did Westin became part of Marriott?
Westin Hotels & Resorts became a part of Marriott in 2016 when the latter acquired Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Marriott’s acquisition of Starwood included 11 new brands, which among them were Westin Hotels & Resorts, Sheraton Hotels, Le Meridien, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, and W Hotels. This acquisition has made Marriott one of the largest hotel companies globally, operating over 30 different brands and 7,000 properties across 131 countries.
The acquisition of Starwood by Marriott was worth $13 billion, and it solidified Marriott’s position as the world’s largest hotel chain. The integration process began immediately after the acquisition, with the two companies working together to combine their resources, build a better platform, and improve their systems.
Since the acquisition, Marriott has maintained the individual brand identity of Westin Hotels & Resorts, keeping its unique reputation for wellness and luxury intact. They have also introduced Marriott’s loyalty program across all Starwood brands, including Westin, allowing guests to earn points for their stays and receive exclusive benefits.
The acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Westin Hotels & Resorts by Marriott was a significant move for the company, allowing them to expand their portfolio of brands and properties significantly. Today, Westin Hotels & Resorts remains an essential part of Marriott’s vast hotel empire, with guests enjoying the brand’s unique focus on wellness and luxury across the globe.
What happened to Westin Hotels?
Westin Hotels is a luxury brand of hotels that was founded in 1930. The brand quickly became known for high-end accommodations, impeccable service, and beautiful amenities. Westin Hotels became one of the most respected brands in the hospitality industry, and it has continued to be a leader in the luxury hotel sector for nearly a century.
In 1998, Starwood Hotels purchased Westin, which allowed the brand to expand even further. Under Starwood’s ownership, the Westin brand continued to thrive and grow, with new hotels being built all over the world. The Westin brand’s focus on luxury and wellness made it a popular choice for travelers seeking a high-end experience.
In 2016, however, a significant change occurred that had an impact on the Westin brand. Marriott International acquired Starwood, which is how Marriott assumed ownership of the Westin brand. This acquisition was a massive move by Marriott, as it made them the largest hotel company in the world.
As part of the acquisition, Marriott consolidated many of its hotel brands, including Westin, under a single umbrella. Today, Westin is one of Marriott’s upscale wellness brands with over 225 locations in 41 countries on 6 continents globally. The brand’s commitment to wellness has continued to be a core feature of the Westin experience, with many hotels offering yoga and fitness classes, healthy dining options, and even in-room workout equipment.
Westin Hotels has been through several changes in ownership over the years, but the brand has remained strong throughout. Today, it continues to offer luxury accommodations and wellness-focused amenities to travelers worldwide, making it a highly respected name in the hospitality industry.
What is the new name of Marriott?
The new name of Marriott is Marriott Bonvoy which the company recently unveiled to reflect the unified benefits and experiences for its loyalty program. Marriott International is a leading hotel and hospitality company that has a range of hotel brands under its umbrella. Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) were the three loyalty brands that Marriott operated before the launch of Marriott Bonvoy.
With the announcement of the new name, Marriott is bringing these loyalty brands under one integrated program that will offer a range of benefits and experiences to its members. These benefits include a wide range of hotel choices and prices, exclusive member rates, free Wi-Fi, mobile check-in and check-out, and the ability to earn points for stays, on-site dining and spa services.
The creation of Marriott Bonvoy signifies the company’s efforts to offer a seamless experience to its loyalty program members with a unified portfolio that operates across a wide range of hotel brands. This new initiative is part of Marriott’s strategy to become the most preferred hotel company for travelers around the world and to provide personalized, unique and memorable experiences to its guests.
Marriott Bonvoy has been received positively by the industry and customers, and it has set the benchmark for other hospitality companies to follow in terms of customer loyalty. The launch of Marriott Bonvoy highlights the company’s continued commitment to evolving its business model in line with technological advancements and consumer preferences. With its new name and loyalty program, Marriott is poised to continue its dominant position in the global hotel and hospitality industry.
Who is Marriott merging with?
Marriott International, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, recently completed its acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts for $13.6 billion. This merger has resulted in the creation of the world’s largest hotel group, with over 5,700 properties that operate under 30 different brands in more than 110 countries around the globe.
This acquisition was completed after a long process that began in late 2015 when Starwood first announced that it was exploring strategic alternatives for the company, including a possible sale. Marriott, along with other hotel groups, expressed interest in acquiring Starwood, but Marriott ultimately emerged as the winning bidder.
With this merger, Marriott expands its presence in the luxury and lifestyle segment, which includes brands like St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, W Hotels, Westin Hotels & Resorts, and Sheraton. Marriott will now also have a greater footprint in the Asia Pacific region and will become the leading hotel company in the Middle East and Africa, where Starwood has a strong presence.
One of the key benefits of this merger is the ability of Marriott to combine the guest loyalty programs of both companies. This will create a massive loyalty program with over 100 million members, making it the largest in the world. Members of either program will be able to earn points, redeem rewards, and enjoy benefits across all of the participating hotels.
The merger between Marriott and Starwood brings together two world-class hotel companies with a strong legacy and reputation for excellence in the hospitality industry. Through this deal, Marriott is now well-positioned to capitalize on the global growth and demand for travel and tourism, providing exceptional guest experiences across a broad spectrum of brands and properties.