Posted Nov 10, 2008 by Elite Concierge HOLLYWOOD, FL (June 16, 2008) " When you think of the beachfront Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, 3555 S. Ocean Dr., Hollywood, FL, shades of green palms trees, green Bermuda grass covering the championship golf course, the blue-green waves of the Atlantic Ocean or even thoughts of your favorite green swimsuit might come to mind. However, you can now start thinking green as in the environment.

The Westin Diplomat Resort has just begun an eight month refurbishment of much of its public spaces, back-of-the-house areas and all 998 guestrooms. While planning the current refurbishment, green has been a constant point of reference, starting with material removal through replacement, explains Sharon Zamojski, architect/capital projects manager for The Westin Diplomat. It has taken nearly 24 months of research, designing and scheduling to orchestrate the overall process. Most of the removed furniture will be sent to a wholesale furniture liquidator where it will receive a second life. Over 1,150 mattress sets of varying sizes and 700 sleeper sofas are being donated to Operation Green Leaves, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving Haitis standard of living. However, all other materials are being
recycled:

30,000-sq. yards of carpet " cut into 4-ft strips and sent to a carpet mill for post consumer use
Over 200,000 lbs of glass from guestroom shower and bathroom doors
734 pieces of aluminum balcony furniture

Guestrooms are being refurbished by floor, with a guestroom floor above and below as buffers. Completed rooms will feature: 100% recyclable carpeting, Herman Miller Aeron desk chair made of 62% recycled material, LED lighting and upgraded aluminum balcony furniture. These items, along with towels and bed linens, will all be recycled at the end of
their useful life.

Already extremely successful with an energy saving best practices in place, The Westin Diplomat has drop its monthly electric bill by 7.8%, an estimated $175,000 in monthly savings just by turning off lights, copiers and computers, raising the air-conditioners in unoccupied rooms and in public spaces, as well as implementing several environmental sustainability practices. It is our responsibility and our commitment to be as environmentally responsible as possible, states Mark Kukulski, general manager. Additionally, The Westin is partnering with Waste Management in implementing a pilot, single stream recycling program. This program will entail a complete back-of-house waste collection of all cardboard, glass, aluminum and plastic, essentially most recyclable waste materials will be placed into
special containers provided by Waste Management.

For a visual of the 4 to 5 foot piles materials awaiting recycle pick up and a tour of the new guestrooms and back of the house initiatives, please contact Michelle Shulman, director of public relations at 954-602-8603 Posted Nov 10, 2008 by Elite Concierge HOLLYWOOD, FL (June 19, 2008) " The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, managed and operated by Starwood Hotel & Resorts, has announced the appointment of John Drugan as General Manager of Hollywood Prime Restaurant, the resorts signature steakhouse. Drugan will assume the responsibility of overseeing the daily operations of Hollywood Prime, a 122-seat fine dining restaurant, which includes two private dining salons.

Growing up in a family of chefs, Drugan realized that he had a passion for food and wine at a young age. This led him to South Florida to attend Johnson and Wales University where he earned two degrees, one in Culinary Arts and the other in Food Service Management. While pursuing his degree,

Drugan honed his culinary skills working at Emerils Restaurant in Miami Beach. Upon graduation, he started his career at J. Alexanders Restaurant and then moved to The Palm in Coral Gables to be the Director of Wine. His love for wine later took him to Europe, where he visited the worlds greatest wineries to get a first-hand look at their production methods. Upon his return to the United States, John joined the LEscalier team at The Breakers in Palm Beach; and, under his leadership, LEscalier earned the AAA Five Diamond Award, Mobile Four Star Award and the coveted Wine Spectators Grand Award.

Hollywood Prime is located within The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa at 3555 S. Ocean Dr., Hollywood, FL and is open for dinner Tuesday " Saturday, 5:30pm"11:00pm. For reservations and information, call (954) 602-8393 or visit www.hollywood.com. Posted Feb 15, 2008 by michelles Hollywood, Fl, (February 2008) - The AAA Auto Club South has awarded The Diplomat Golf Resort & Spa, 501 Diplomat Parkway, Hallandale Beach, along with The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa and the Westin's signature restaurant, Hollywood Prime, 3555 S. Ocean Dr., Hollywood Beach, the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award for the SIXTH consecutive year. Only 3.3% of the over 32,000 AAA-rated properties in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean obtain this high level of excellence.
"We are honored to once again receive such a well-regarded designation." commented Mark Kukulski, general manager. "Our Ambassadors have remained extremely committed to maintain, over the past 6-years, a world-class destination, products and services and proudly will continue to do so into the future."
The Diplomat Golf Resort & Spa is an intimate and tranquil retreat offering 60 intimate guestrooms encircled by a championship 18-hole golf course managed by Troon, a 10-clay court tennis center, as well as The Spa at The Diplomat, which features 22-treatment rooms with a full menu of services, a fitness center, outdoor pool, lounge, and private sun terraces. Accessible via complimentary shuttle is the sister property, The Westin Diplomat Resort. The Westin, a beachfront location, offers 898 guestrooms and 100 suites, an adjacent convention center with over 200,000 sq ft of flexible function space and a vast array of outdoor event options. Together, The Diplomat has eight unique dining opportunities from the award-winning steakhouse Hollywood Prime to the newest dining experience Aizia, which offers an impressive family-style menu featuring flavors found throughout the Asian Continent. Nikki Marina, along with Rivals Waterfront Sports Grille, are both located on the Intracoastal Waterway at our Diplomat Landing.
For additional information, call 954-602-6000. For current packages and guaranteed best available rates, visit www.westin.com/diplomat or www.luxurycollection.com/diplomatcc.

Michelle Le Vous-Shulman, Director of Public Relations
954-602-8603
michelle.shulman@westin.com