Annapolis The Westin Hotel in Annapolis had its grand opening Thursday — and it’s already raising expectations.
Despite officially opening its doors this week, the Westin already received bookings and deposits for 48 weddings and 29 Naval Academy class reunions. Westin sales staff hit the $5 million mark before welcoming the hotel’s first guest. It is already planning to raise the bar next year.
“This is like a second, third or fourth rebirth for downtown [Annapolis],” said Bob Burdon, president of the Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce. “We definitely aren’t going to see this for another 50 to 100 years.”
“This is like a second, third or fourth rebirth for downtown [Annapolis],” said Bob Burdon, president of the Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce. “We definitely aren’t going to see this for another 50 to 100 years.”
A $250 million development spread out on 13 acres, the Westin development consists of a residential component, Class A office space and 1,100 parking spaces, as well as the 214-room hotel. Nearly 500 jobs will be created in the region as a result. Besides funneling visitor dollars into the local economy, the Westin will serve as an upscale face for the city.
This fall, Annapolis is scheduled to get its bond rating reviewed. Hoping reach the “AAA” level, Annapolis is putting the reviewing group in the Westin, using the hotel as an icon of a budding economy, said Mike Miron, director of the Office of Economic Development for the City of Annapolis. “We fit in and are part of the architecture,” said Jerome J. Parks, owner of the hotel. “This has been a long time coming.”
Aside from hotels, the Westin logo also is present in the retail world, serving as the brand name for linens and related goods in department stores nationwide, accounting for nearly $20 million in annual sales.
“With all the future planning and development we have in place, we will be able to see the true benefits,” Burdon said. “To see this dream and vision become a reality is quite something.”
