SINGAPORE - A new Westin hotel will open here after the chain's absence of more than 10 years, with up to 300 jobs expected to be created.
The 305-room Westin Singapore on levels 33 to 46 of Asia Square Tower 2 will be the first integrated upscale hotel in an office building in Singapore.
It will have floor-to-ceiling windows and overlook Marina Bay. There will also be 10 meeting rooms.
The hotel started a two-day recruitment drive at Asia Square yesterday in preparation for the Nov 1 opening.
Mr Chuck Abbott, the regional vice-president of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, said yesterday: "We are delighted to re-establish our presence in Singapore after more than a decade away.
"In addition to helping boost the local economy and labour market by generating career opportunities, we are confident that the Westin brand and its renowned service culture will make a positive contribution to the service industry here."
Mr Lance Ourednik, the general manager of the hotel here, said staff will have fitness activities and a games and recreation room, among other benefits.
Westin used to manage the Westin Stamford and Westin Plaza - from their opening here in 1986 until the end of 2001, when the hotels' management contract expired.
The then Raffles Holdings hotel management arm, Raffles International, took over the running of the two hotels, which are now called Fairmont Singapore and Swissotel The Stamford.
The two hotels are next to Raffles City.
The Westin Singapore is part of Westin Hotels & Resorts and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Starwood Hotels & Resorts is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
The hotel here is part of the growing portfolio of nearly 200 Westin outlets worldwide and one of about 40 in the Asia Pacific.