Hotel Design Principles Reinforce Nature Connection

Westin at the Woodlands’ design is inspired by its waterfront location.

HOUSTON—During the past decade, The Woodlands has emerged as one of the fastest growing areas in the country. It has earned accolades for its pedestrian-centric urban core, architectural standards, preservation of natural resources and quality of life. Within the master-planned community, the Waterway Square district anchor, the Westin at The Woodlands is now open. It is located at 2 Waterway Square Place. The hotel is the first Westin in The Woodlands community and the 50th Starwood hotel in Texas. It was developed, and is managed and owned by The Howard Hughes Corporation . “As a leader in hospitality, the Westin fits seamlessly into this burgeoning region, and its opening speaks to the increasing demand for well-being, whether traveling for business or leisure,” said Bob Jacobs , vice president of brand management, North America, Westin Hotels & Resorts. “We are delighted to introduce The Westin at The Woodlands to our global guests and local residents, ensuring that they all leave feeling better than when they arrived.” The Westin at The Woodlands features 302 guestrooms and suites with residential interiors by Dallas-based waldrop+nichols studio . Custom furnishings include over-scale lounge seating, millwork headboards and curvilinear desks, along with Westin’s renowned Heavenly Bed and Bath. Westin at the Woodlands general manager Mike Speicher tells GlobeSt.com, “Since the inception of this pivotal project by The Howard Hughes Corporation, our goal has not only been to serve the increasing numbers of discerning travelers coming to The Woodlands, but also to create an iconic, destination property that rewards visitors through the Starwood preferred guest program and sets a new standard for the region with amenities that will inspire well-being, and further enhance and benefit the community.” Executed in collaboration with Boston-based Elkus Manfredi Architects and the Houston office of Gensler , the 13-story hotel’s stone and glass façade floods the space with natural light. Inspired by its waterfront location, the hotel’s geometry also reinforces Westin’s design principles, which reinforce the thought that a connection to nature enhances well-being. The 15,000-square-foot waterfront meetings and events level has an atrium-like foyer, which opens onto a waterside terrace on one end and the 6,000-square-foot edgewater ballroom on the other. The foyer leads to seven additional meeting rooms, four of which are waterfront, and a boardroom that faces Waterway Square plaza. The spaces present a myriad of options for weddings and business functions, heightened by culinary experiences created by veteran hotel executive chef, Richard Mendoza . The Westin features a 150-seat restaurant, lobby bar, Starbucks and second-level pool deck. CURRENT , a signature concept by The Howard Hughes Corporation, invites guests to enjoy seasonally changing and regionally sourced menus with rising star chef de cuisine, Nathan Friend , at the helm. The restaurant encompasses an open kitchen, chef’s table, wine room and private dining room. The 1,200-square-foot workout studio is the ideal spot to recharge. Just under 30 miles from downtown Houston and approximately 20 miles from George Bush Intercontinental Airport, The Westin at The Woodlands is in close proximity to Fortune 500 companies and leisure offerings. Connected to a popular public plaza, the hotel spans a prime stretch of the Woodlands waterway, a picturesque, tree-lined canal and path system that links a number of key business and leisure attractions. Home to approximately 112,000 residents and more than 2,200 businesses, The Woodlands has year-round appeal with a robust calendar of events and recreational offerings, including more than 200 miles of hiking and biking trails, 140 parks and 135 holes of golf. Westin Hotels & Resorts is part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Inc.