Starwood’s Westin brand expands in Australia with the continent’s first Westin resort. The Westin Coolum Resort & Spa opens in 2021 on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, at Yaroomba Beach. It joins only a handful of other internationally branded beachfront resorts. The property is a joint effort with Sekisui House Australia. “We are really excited to partner with Sekisui House Australia to open The Westin Coolum Resort & Spa — Australia’s first resort property under the Westin Hotels & Resorts banner. The Westin brand is enjoying phenomenal growth due to its innovative wellness offerings and lifestyle. By the time it welcomes its first guests, The Westin Coolum Resort & Spa will be the first new build 5-star hotel to open on the Sunshine Coast in 27 years, supporting tourism growth and providing significant employment opportunities in the community,” said Sean Hunt, vice president, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Pacific. The resort features beachfront access and 220 guestrooms with nine suites. Four dining venues offer healthy culinary options. The Heavenly Spa by Westin includes six treatment rooms, an infinity pool and fitness studio. The property’s location is only five minutes from the Sunshine Coast Airport, for direct flights to Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL) and Auckland (AUK). “The Sunshine Coast accommodation market continues to get stronger and the timing of the Westin Coolum Resort & Spa is perfect given the growing visitor numbers and appeal of this destination, especially with the proposed expansion of the Sunshine Coast Airport, which continues to gather momentum. It’s a great time to invest in the region and this is the perfect location for Westin’s first resort style property in Australia,” said Andrew Taylor, director of acquisitions and development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Pacific.