20 August 2008

The New Mile High Club - Westin Hotels & Resorts and United Airlines Launch Heavenly Experience in The Sky

The New Mile High Club - Westin Hotels & Resorts and United Airlines Launch Heavenly Experience in The Sky

The partnership between Westin Hotels & Resorts and United Airlines marks the first time that hotel-branded bedding and amenities have taken to the sky on a U.S. airline. Last month, the companies also unveiled Westin Renewal Lounges inside Red Carpet Clubs in New York (JFK), Los Angeles and San Francisco.

On the ground, Westin Renewal Lounges within United's Red Carpet Clubs give travelers a soothing hideaway for relaxing and renewing. As a result of the Westin partnership with Philips Lighting Company, for example, the San Francisco lounge is equipped with a revolutionary blue-light ActiViva lamp, not yet available for purchase in the United States, which provides photo therapy and directly affects the way people feel by making them more alert, awake and energized.

Created by the Westin design team and outfitted with plush furniture, fabrics and the brand's nature-inspired color palette, each Renewal Lounge features a signature LED candle wall and artwork typical of the Westin soothing aesthetic
In flight, custom-designed onboard amenities include Heavenly Bed blankets and pillows, Super Foods cocktails and Westin video and music selections; Three United Red Carpet lounges offer Westin signature-designed areas with furnishings, White Tea scent, botanicals and more

Through a partnership with award-winning video production company Blue Marvel, Westin Hotels has created signature video content featuring stunning, soothing nature scenes from across the world; meanwhile, music selections from the brand's customized play lists include songs featured in Westin lobbies worldwide.

To complete the sensory in-flight experience, United will serve a specialty cocktail inspired by Westin Super Foods program. A new cocktail will be unveiled each season, and all will be served on a brain-teaser coaster, giving United customers a chance to practice the Westin brand's expert-developed, whole-body approach to wellness.

"We are delighted to bring the Westin Heavenly experience to travelers in-flight and on the ground in United Red Carpet Clubs," said Sue Brush, Senior Vice President of Westin Hotels & Resorts. "This unique partnership is one more way Westin is bringing meaningful, renewing experiences to the traveling public."

"When traveling across the country, our first and business class customers expect to feel relaxed and rewarded when they are at the airport and on the airplane," says Graham Atkinson, United Airlines' executive vice president and Chief Customer Officer.
The Westin-United partnership will also reach guests not taking flight. Westin guests may receive 1,000 bonus Mileage Plus miles when they book at select Westin properties (a full list is available at http://www.westin.com/united).

This partnership joins a host of initiatives at both companies to improve the guest experience.

By Karen Loftus