The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa at Beaver Creek Mountain

Bringing sustainability to new heights, Colorado's Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa is proud to announce it has been awarded Silver Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The Westin Riverfront is the first hotel in Colorado to achieve this coveted green accolade and only the ninth hotel in the country to earn Silver LEED status. The Beaver Creek resort, which opened a year ago this week, is also the first Silver LEED Certified hotel in the Westin brand, which includes more than 160 hotels around the world.

"East West Partners is proud to have been a leader in developing this world class resort," said Westin Riverfront General Manager Bob Trotter. "We are dedicated to being respectful of the pristine mountain environment in which we do business and committed to operating this resort in the most sustainable way possible."

To achieve this high level of sustainable luxury, the 100% smoke-free resort implemented numerous environmentally conscientious building strategies and operational practices, including:

* Low and non-emitting paints, adhesives and carpets utilized throughout the resort to help ensure healthy indoor air quality
* Construction of the Riverfront Express Gondola - the ultimate in free public transportation - which delivers guests and locals to Beaver Creek ski area in less than three minutes
* 50% of the resort's electricity comes from renewable sources, including wind power
* 40% of the total building materials and products were sourced within 500 miles of the project
* 10% of building materials were made of post consumer/industrial recycled content, such as the roof tiles made from recycled automobile tires
* Enhanced and donated a 5-acre riparian zone along the Eagle River to the Town of Avon as permanent public open space
* Sophisticated building control system allows front desk associates to adjust the temperature in individual rooms upon guest arrival/departure so that unoccupied rooms are not unnecessarily heated or cooled
* Spa Anjali is Colorado's first dedicated green spa, using only environmentally-friendly products and organic spa linens

"The management and staff at the Westin have worked hard to develop innovative ways to achieve this prestigious certification, and as a result, the resort fits the mold for new, efficient, and eco-friendly businesses that are the future of this state and country," said Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter in a letter of congratulations to The Westin Riverfront.

In celebration of its Silver LEED status, the resort has created The Westin Riverfront Green Package. Starting at $149 per night for a studio suite during the off season and $319 per night during peak winter season, the package includes:

* Accommodations in a spacious studio suite
* Purchase of Verified Carbon Credits to offset the carbon emissions from a round-trip drive to the Vail Valley from metro Denver, purchased from Sustainable Travel International
* A bottle of in-house purified water delivered in a recycled glass container from Restaurant Avondale
* Participation in Westin's "Make a Green Choice" program, which allows guests to opt out of towel/linen replacement and housekeeping for up to three days for your choice of either a $5 resort gift card for each night of participation or 500 Starpoints for each stay
* Complimentary valet parking when you arrive with more than two people in the vehicle OR in a hybrid vehicle

Guests looking to experience a little extra relaxation can upgrade to The Westin Riverfront Green Spa Package, which includes all of the above, plus a $150 credit to Spa Anjali and a stainless steel Spa Anjali water bottle. Rates for The Westin Riverfront Green Spa Package start at $199 per night. A three night minimum stay is required on both packages and certain restrictions apply. To book, please visit www.westinriverfrontavon.com.

Developed by Colorado's East West Partners, The Westin Riverfront was designed by the architectural firm of Hornberger & Worstell of San Francisco in conjunction with OZ Architecture of Boulder, Colo. who is the architect of record. The interior was designed by internationally recognized leader Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, LLP. Nestled on the banks of the Eagle River with breathtaking views of Beaver Creek Mountain, The Westin Riverfront was named to Condé Nast Traveler's "Hot List 2009" as one of the 140 hottest new resorts worldwide.

"As a company, East West Partners recognizes that our resorts depend upon the beauty of a healthy natural environment," said East West Partners Project Manager Andy Gunion. "Throughout construction, the team stayed focused on our LEED goal - from close monitoring of construction waste recycling to procuring the drywall directly from a gypsum mine and processing plant located just 30 miles from the site."

The Westin Riverfront features 210 guest residences ranging from studio suites to three-bedroom condominiums, all featuring contemporary "mountain modern" décor, expansive windows, custom kitchens, five-piece bathrooms and gas fireplaces. Other amenities include a ski valet, on-site ski rental and fly fishing shops, the Riverfront Club fitness center, a saline-based outdoor lap pool and three oversized riverside hot tubs. The hotel's 4,000 square feet of meeting space features floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing mountain views.

Spa Anjali at The Westin Riverfront offers signature treatments inspired by the healing traditions of the mountains. A member of the Starwood Spa Collection, Spa Anjali offers a unique "Green Check-In" program where guests receive a discount on their services if they come to the spa in the robe from their guest residence, reducing the need to launder a second robe.

Restaurant Avondale, by Chef/Owner Thomas Salamunovich, features a West Coast inspired, seasonal menu and utilizes time honored cooking methods, such as slow roasting and braising, to create simple dishes that are rich in flavor. Restaurant Avondale, which purchases local ingredients whenever possible, uses a unique in-house water purifying and bottling system to help reduce emissions from water bottling plants and transportation.

Colorados First Upscale Sustainable Hotel Opens with Unique Location, Refreshing Amenities

AVON, Colo. - The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa, Vail Valleys newest green resort, opens today. The upper-upscale resort will awaken guests senses with breathtaking views of Beaver Creek Mountain, unparalleled access to the Eagle River and signature Westin services and amenities.

The Westin Riverfront is on track to be the first upscale resort in Colorado to achieve coveted LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Unique green programs include guest recycling stations on every floor, preferred parking for hybrid vehicles, an on-site organic garden and the protection of open space through the donation of a five-acre park to the Town of Avon.

The cornerstone of a $500 million condo hotel development, The Westin Riverfront features 210 finely appointed guest rooms ranging in size from studios to three-bedrooms. The contemporary guest rooms are designed to promote balance and well-being with wireless Internet, expansive windows, custom kitchens, spa-like bathrooms and gas fireplaces. Every room also features trademark touches like the Westin Heavenly Bed, 24-hour Westin WORKOUT fitness center, Westin Heavenly Bath and Westin Service Express, which allows guests to request every hotel service with one call.

The Westin Riverfront is connected to Beaver Creek Mountain via the Riverfront Express Gondola, which delivers skiers and snowboarders to world-class terrain in less than three minutes. Other amenities include a ski valet, on-site ski rental and fly fishing shops, a 25-meter outdoor lap pool and three oversized riverside hot tubs. The hotels 4,000 square feet of meeting space features floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing mountain views.

The Westin Riverfronts 23,000 square foot Spa Anjali offers signature spa treatments inspired by healing traditions of the mountains. Spa Anjali has 14 treatment rooms, a full-service salon and a complete fitness center with yoga, spin and Pilates classes and extensive exercise equipment. As the premiere green spa in the Rockies, Spa Anjali carries only environmentally-friendly products, including Amala Beauty and Anakiri.

Restaurant Avondale, by Chef/Owner Thomas Salamunovich, features a West Coast inspired, seasonal menu and utilizes time honored cooking methods, such as slow roasting and braising, to create simple dishes rich in flavor. The wine program is progressive in both its pricing and offerings, focusing on small production wines to compliment the straightforward cuisine. Designed by the award-winning Asfour Guzy architecture firm of New York, the space is reflective of the time and features a seamless blend of natural materials inspired by the surrounding landscape.

To celebrate its grand opening, The Westin Riverfront is offering fall rates beginning at $119 per night and early ski season rates from $249 per night. The hotel is also offering several introductory packages, including:

The High Flying Fall Golf Retreat: Starting at $449 per night for two people, includes lodging, two rounds of golf at Red Sky Ranch & Golf Course and two 50-minute treatments and Spa Anjali

Master the Mountain Golf Getaway: Starting at $199 per night for two people, includes lodging and two rounds of golf at Eagle Ranch Golf Course

The Anglers Immersion Package: Starting at $999 for two people, includes two nights lodging, a private casting clinic and two guided fly fishing excursions led by Gore Creek Fly Fisherman

The River Explorer Package: Starting at $279 for two people, includes two nights lodging, a stocked fly box, a local river map and tip sheet from Gore Creek Fly Fisherman

The High Country Ladies Weekend " Starting at $365 per person, includes lodging, two 50-minute treatments at Spa Anjali and four complimentary cocktails

The Ski & Spa Girlfriend Getaway: Starting at $715 per person, includes two nights lodging, one day of skiing at Beaver Creek Mountain with a high performance equipment package, two 50-minute spa treatments and a complimentary bottle of wine each evening

The Westin Winter Wonderland Package: Starting at $1,635 for two people, includes three nights lodging, a two-day lift ticket to Beaver Creek Resort with a high performance ski package, two 80-minute spa treatments and breakfast for two each morning

The Westin Winter Escape Package: Starting at $349 per night for two people, includes accommodations for two and breakfast for two each morning

Developed by East West Partners, The Westin Riverfront was designed by the architectural firm of Hornberger & Worstell of San Francisco in conjunction with OZ Architecture in Boulder, Colo. The interior was designed by internationally recognized leader Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, LLP.

Reservations can be made at www.westin.com/riverfrontavon or by calling 1-866-949-1616. For more information on Restaurant Avondale, please visit www.avondalerestaurant.com. Images available upon request.

About Westin Hotels & Resorts
Westin Hotels & Resorts, with more than 150 hotels and resorts in more than 31 countries and territories, is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT). Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 900 properties in more than 100 countries and 155,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, W, Westin, Le Mridien, Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton, and the recently launched AloftSM, and ElementSM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

Media contact: Julie Dunn - 303-522-2659 or julie@dunncommunications.com