Westin ATM party draws over 2,000: Pre-ATM bash declared ‘hottest’ party of the year

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, May 6, 2008 – It was Open House at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina last night as the five-star resort flung open its doors to welcome in the world’s travel industry and give them a glimpse of Dubai’s very latest beachfront resort.

Over 2,000 people attended the gala event, which celebrated The Westin’s official opening, as well as set the stage for a week of business at Arabian Travel Market (ATM).

The Westin treatment started as soon as guests arrived; welcomed by a red carpet at the main Porte Cochere of the hotel and greeted by local Arabic entertainers.

Inside the spacious main lobby, guests were treated to musical scores played by The UAE Philharmonic Orchestra, led by Mr Philipp Maier. The orchestra wowed guests with a light repertoire of musical classics, brought alive by the acoustics of the expansive lobby.

The lobby towers nine storeys high, and the musicians used this to good effect, as sights and sounds flooded the floor below as the orchestra provided vignettes of entertainment from the various balconies above.

Guests were encouraged to explore the hotel at leisure, with a champagne reception on floors two and three above the main lobby.

The hotel’s restaurants then took centre stage, as all 2,000 guests were welcomed at any of the bars or restaurants of their choice, all serving up a selection of specialities.

The hotel offers a unique selection of bars and restaurants, from a contemporary grill with open kitchen at Hunters Room & Grill to the lively atmosphere of Senyar, serving an international array of tapas with live entertainment. Oeno wine bar is set to become the place to unwind after work, while Spice Emporium will serve up flavours of Asia. The Atrium in the Grand Lobby will serve afternoon tea while Sin provides a chocolate-fuelled feast. Casual dining options include the Library, serving coffee and good books; all-day dining outlet Blue Orange, and a number of poolside bars.

All were open for last night’s gala event, with resident entertainment groups keeping guests’ toes tapping in each of the many eateries.

Following this sumptuous feast, guests moved on to the Serdall Ballroom, where Salha and her Million Dollar Band kept the party going well into the early hours with laid back tunes to soothe the soul. Resident DJ Martin Metcalf, from Dubai 92, kept guests dancing during band breaks.

“The idea of the party was to give each guest a true experience of the hotel. We effectively gave them the run of the hotel for one evening, encouraging guests to sample our many innovative dining options, explore our exquisite interiors, and relax in our verdant gardens and outside terraces,” said Michael Scully, Complex General Manager, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina and The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina.

“The highlight of the evening was the main reception at the Serdall Ballroom, which enabled us to showcase what Westin is all about. Westin properties are distinctive through their architecture, innovative interiors and exemplary services. I truly believe we delivered the hottest party of the year, with plenty of surprises, great food and creative cocktails,” Scully added.

The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina opened this month marking the stylish brand’s entry into the United Arab Emirates.

Embracing Westin’s characteristics of inspire, revitalise and refresh, Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina offers the whole gamut of Westin signature services, including the Heavenly Bed®, Westin Workout® and Westin Service Express®.

All rooms and suites at Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina have Heavenly Beds®, luxurious bath amenities and hi-tech LCD TV screens, while the indulgent Spa and Westin Workout® provide total relaxation and rejuvenation.

The property features 294 rooms, including 216 deluxe rooms, 52 Westin Executive rooms, and 24 suites, apart from a spa, a health club, and four bars and four themed restaurants. State-of-the-art conference and banqueting facilities include an 8,999 square feet ballroom, an Italian designed conference centre with 10 meeting rooms, an outdoor beachside amphitheatre, and a variety of lawn locations accommodating up to 5,000 guests. The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina is located on a stunning 1,200 metre private shoreline, and will feature a 238-berth marina, five swimming pools, a water sports centre, a sailing academy, and facilities for deep sea fishing and boat chartering.