Last Updated on August 2, 2026 by Daniel Globe
Westin Hotels & Resorts is part of Marriott International, but the ownership story is more nuanced than simply saying Marriott bought Westin directly. Westin traces its history to 1930, later became part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, and joined Marriott when Marriott acquired Starwood in 2016. Individual Westin hotel buildings may still be owned by separate investors or franchisees.
Quick Answer
Marriott International owns the Westin Hotels & Resorts brand. Marriott gained Westin when it completed its acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide on September 23, 2016. However, Marriott does not necessarily own the real estate behind each Westin hotel; many properties have separate owners and operate under franchise or management agreements.
Key Takeaways
- Westin Hotels & Resorts is a Marriott International brand today.
- Westin traces its roots to Western Hotels, formed in 1930 in the Pacific Northwest.
- Starwood Hotels & Resorts acquired Westin in 1998; Marriott did not acquire Westin directly that year.
- Westin became part of Marriott when Marriott completed its acquisition of Starwood on September 23, 2016.
- Marriott classifies Westin in its Premium hotel portfolio, with a strong emphasis on wellness.
- A Westin-branded hotel can be owned by another company even though the Westin brand belongs within Marriott’s system.
- Most regular Westin Hotels & Resorts participate in Marriott Bonvoy, although benefits depend on the rate, property, and membership tier.
Who Owns Westin Hotels Today?
Marriott International is the parent company behind the Westin Hotels & Resorts brand. The key date is September 23, 2016, when Marriott completed its acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.
Starwood’s portfolio already included Westin, Sheraton, St. Regis, W Hotels, The Luxury Collection, Le Méridien, and several other brands. As a result, Westin became part of Marriott through the larger Starwood transaction rather than through a stand-alone Marriott purchase of Westin.
Marriott’s official 2016 acquisition announcement specifically listed Westin among the brands brought together by the Starwood deal, describing the merger as creating the world’s largest hotel company with more than 5,700 properties across 30 brands.
Note: Owning the Westin brand is different from owning every Westin hotel building. Marriott may franchise or manage a Westin property that is owned by a separate real-estate company or investor.
History of Westin Hotels and Marriott International
Westin’s history started long before it became part of Marriott. The company traces its roots to Western Hotels, formed in 1930 by hotel operators in the Pacific Northwest. It was not originally a single property named the “Westin Hotel.” Historical material in the University of Houston’s Westin Hotels Collection preserves publications from the earlier Western Hotels organization.
The company later operated as Western International Hotels before adopting the shorter Westin name in 1981. That history explains the brand name: “Westin” developed from “Western International.”
Marriott’s corporate history followed a different path. J. Willard Marriott, Alice Marriott, and business partner Hugh Colton opened a nine-seat A&W root beer stand in Washington, D.C., in 1927. That business eventually grew into the hospitality company now known as Marriott International, according to Marriott’s official history.
Westin Ownership Timeline
| 1930 | The business that would become Westin begins as Western Hotels in the Pacific Northwest. |
| 1981 | Western International Hotels adopts the Westin Hotels name. |
| 1998 | Starwood Hotels & Resorts completes its acquisition of Westin. |
| 2016 | Marriott International acquires Starwood, bringing Westin into Marriott’s brand portfolio. |
| Today | Westin operates as a Marriott Premium brand centered on well-being, business travel, leisure travel, meetings, and resorts. |
The Acquisition of Westin Hotels by Starwood and Marriott
The most important correction in Westin’s ownership history is that Marriott did not acquire Westin in 1998. Starwood Hotels & Resorts completed that acquisition.
An archived U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing describes Starwood’s hotel business as having grown in part from its 1998 acquisition of Westin Hotels & Resorts. Westin then remained within Starwood’s portfolio until Marriott bought Starwood in 2016.
Westin became a Marriott brand on September 23, 2016, when Marriott completed its acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.
The 2016 transaction gave Westin access to Marriott’s much larger reservation, distribution, technology, and loyalty ecosystem while allowing it to continue operating under the Westin name.
Does Marriott Own Every Westin Hotel?
No. Marriott’s ownership of the Westin brand should not be confused with ownership of every hotel carrying the Westin name.
Marriott describes itself as a global franchisor, hotel operator, and licensor, and has long followed an asset-light strategy under which it owns or leases a very small share of the properties in its overall system, per its most recent annual report. The remaining properties operate through management, franchise, licensing, or related agreements.
That means a Westin can involve several different roles:
- Brand owner/system: Marriott International and its affiliates control the Westin hotel system and brand rights.
- Property owner: A separate company, investment group, or other entity may own the hotel real estate.
- Hotel operator: Marriott or another approved management company may operate the property.
- Franchisee: Some owners may operate a hotel under a Westin franchise agreement and Marriott’s required standards.
Marriott’s current Westin Franchise Disclosure Document specifically describes franchisees establishing and operating full-service hotels or resorts under the Westin name.
Pro Tip: When researching who owns a specific Westin property, search for that hotel’s legal property owner or management company. The name on the building tells you the brand, but not necessarily who owns the underlying real estate.
Westin’s Brand and Identity within Marriott International
| Brand Name | Westin Hotels & Resorts |
| Parent Company | Marriott International |
| Marriott Tier | Premium |
| Brand Focus | Well-being, restorative sleep, fitness, food, business travel, leisure, meetings, and resorts |
| Target Guests | Premium business and leisure travelers |
| Signature Features | Heavenly Bed, WestinWORKOUT, Gear Lending, running routes, and Eat Well offerings |
Westin maintains a distinct identity within Marriott rather than simply operating as another Marriott Hotels property. Marriott’s current brand portfolio places Westin in its Premium category and emphasizes its focus on well-being.
Guests get access to Marriott’s reservation and loyalty platform while Westin keeps its own recognizable features, such as the Heavenly Bed and its wellness programming.
The Signature Westin Experience
Well-being remains central to Westin’s brand positioning. The company’s current official Westin website highlights three major themes: Sleep Well, Move Well, and Eat Well.
The Heavenly Bed remains one of the brand’s most recognizable features. Westin describes its current Heavenly Bed with a plush-top mattress, gel-infused memory foam, and sateen sheets designed around restorative sleep.
For exercise, Westin currently promotes WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studios, fitness Gear Lending, and local running routes. Dining programs center on its Eat Well offerings, which emphasize ingredient quality, nutritional balance, and flexible portions.
Specific amenities still vary by hotel. A resort with a spa, for example, may provide a very different experience from a downtown business hotel, even though both operate under Westin brand standards.
The Benefits of Westin Hotels’ Marriott Bonvoy Membership
Most Westin Hotels & Resorts participate in Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s loyalty program.
Under Marriott’s published earning structure, Westin is among the brands where members generally earn 10 base points per U.S. dollar on qualifying charges. Since Bonvoy terms can be updated over time, it’s worth confirming the current rate on Marriott’s site before booking. Eligibility also depends on the rate booked and which hotel charges qualify.
Members can use eligible points toward award stays and other redemption options offered through Marriott Bonvoy. Elite members may also receive additional benefits based on their membership level.
Not all Elite benefits are universal. Room upgrades depend on Elite status and availability. Late checkout also varies by tier and property type. Marriott states that early check-in is based on availability rather than a guaranteed benefit.
Note: Booking through some third-party travel channels can affect whether a stay or rate qualifies for Marriott Bonvoy points and Elite benefits. Check the current Bonvoy terms when those benefits matter to your trip.
Westin Hotels’ Sustainability and Wellness Initiatives
Westin’s public identity continues to center heavily on wellness. Its current programming includes sleep, fitness, movement, and food initiatives designed to help travelers maintain familiar routines while away from home.
Environmental and community programs sit within Marriott’s broader corporate framework. Marriott manages much of its company-wide sustainability and social-impact work through Serve 360, which addresses responsible operations, community engagement, environmental impacts, and related long-term goals.
Individual Westin properties may introduce additional energy, water, waste, sourcing, or local-community programs based on the hotel and its location. Those property-level practices should not be assumed to be identical at every Westin.
Westin Hotels’ Culinary Offerings and Dining Experiences
Food is part of Westin’s wellness positioning through its current Eat Well concept. The program emphasizes choices based on nutritional balance, ingredient quality, and flexible portion sizes.
Dining still differs significantly from one property to another. A full-service resort may operate several restaurants and bars, while an urban Westin may offer a smaller selection. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-conscious, locally sourced, or other specialized options therefore depend on the individual property’s restaurants and menus.
Some hotels may also offer locally influenced meals, culinary events, or other destination-specific dining experiences. These should be treated as property-specific offerings rather than guaranteed features of every Westin worldwide.
The Expansion and Growth of Westin Hotels within Marriott International
Becoming part of Marriott gave Westin access to a much larger global hotel network, distribution platform, reservation system, and loyalty ecosystem. The brand now operates across major urban, resort, convention, and leisure destinations around the world.
Westin continues to expand while retaining its wellness-centered positioning. New and renovated hotels can incorporate local architecture, food, cultural influences, and destination-specific experiences while still delivering the core elements associated with the Westin name.
For travelers, this combination means a Westin in one country may look and feel different from a Westin elsewhere, but the properties share an overall brand framework and participate in Marriott’s wider hotel system where applicable.
Westin Hotels’ Contributions to Local Communities
Westin properties operate within local communities, and individual hotels may participate in charitable, volunteer, environmental, food-donation, educational, or wellness-related projects. The exact programs vary by location and should not be presented as universal Westin requirements without property-specific documentation.
At the corporate level, Marriott’s Serve 360 platform provides the broader framework for many of the company’s sustainability and social-impact activities. This includes supporting communities, responsible operations, and opportunities for associates to contribute to local initiatives.
The Future of Westin Hotels within Marriott International
Westin remains an active part of Marriott International’s Premium portfolio. Its continuing strategy is closely tied to the wellness positioning that distinguishes it from other Marriott brands.
Current Westin marketing continues to focus on restorative sleep, fitness, movement, nutritious food choices, and maintaining personal routines while traveling. That gives Westin a clearer identity within a Marriott portfolio that contains more than 30 hotel brands.
Marriott’s global reservation and Bonvoy systems can support Westin’s reach, while the brand itself remains recognizable through programs such as the Heavenly Bed, WestinWORKOUT, and Eat Well.
For broader travel-planning information, readers can also browse Take Travel Info.
Westin Hotels vs. Westin Vacation Club
Westin Hotels & Resorts should not be confused with Westin Vacation Club. The familiar Westin name appears on both, but their business structures differ.
Marriott Vacations Worldwide states that Westin Vacation Club is part of its vacation-ownership portfolio. Marriott Vacations Worldwide uses the Westin marks under license from Marriott International and its affiliates. In other words, a Westin Vacation Club ownership product is not the same thing as booking a standard Westin Hotels & Resorts guest room.
This distinction matters when researching ownership, loyalty benefits, timeshare products, or the company responsible for a particular vacation-ownership offering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Westin Hotels?
Westin Hotels & Resorts is part of Marriott International. Marriott gained the Westin brand when it completed its acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide on September 23, 2016.
When did Marriott International acquire Westin Hotels?
Westin became part of Marriott on September 23, 2016, when Marriott completed its acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Marriott did not directly acquire Westin in 1998.
Who acquired Westin in 1998?
Starwood Hotels & Resorts acquired Westin in 1998. Westin stayed in Starwood’s portfolio until Marriott acquired Starwood in 2016.
What is the history of Westin Hotels ownership?
Westin traces its roots to Western Hotels, formed in 1930. The company later operated as Western International Hotels and adopted the Westin name in 1981. Starwood acquired Westin in 1998, and Marriott acquired Starwood in 2016.
Is Westin Hotels part of a larger hotel group?
Yes. Westin is one of the brands in Marriott International’s global hotel portfolio. Marriott currently places Westin in its Premium brand category.
Does Marriott own every Westin hotel building?
No. Marriott controls the Westin brand and hotel system, but an individual Westin property may be owned by a separate investor or company. Marriott may manage the hotel, or the property may operate under a franchise agreement.
Are there individual or private owners of Westin hotels?
There can be private or institutional owners of individual Westin hotel properties. That is different from ownership of the Westin brand itself, which sits within Marriott International’s brand system.
Is Westin a luxury Marriott brand?
Marriott currently classifies Westin as a Premium brand rather than placing it in the company’s Luxury tier. Westin nevertheless offers full-service upscale accommodations and emphasizes wellness-focused amenities.
Is Westin part of Marriott Bonvoy?
Yes. Most Westin Hotels & Resorts participate in Marriott Bonvoy. Members generally earn 10 base points per U.S. dollar on qualifying charges at Westin, while Elite benefits such as upgrades and late checkout depend on membership tier, availability, and program rules.
Is Westin Vacation Club owned by Marriott International?
Westin Vacation Club vacation-ownership products are operated through Marriott Vacations Worldwide, a separate company that uses the Westin marks under license from Marriott International and its affiliates. This differs from the standard Westin Hotels & Resorts business.
Sources
- Marriott International — Completion of the Starwood acquisition — confirms the September 23, 2016 transaction that brought Westin into Marriott.
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — Starwood filing — documents Starwood’s earlier acquisition of Westin.
- Marriott International 2025 Form 10-K — explains Marriott’s franchise, management, licensing, and asset-light ownership model.
- Westin Hotels & Resorts — current brand positioning, Heavenly Bed, WestinWORKOUT, and Eat Well programs.
- Marriott Bonvoy — Earn Points at Hotels — current Westin point-earning information.
- Marriott Vacations Worldwide — Vacation Ownership — explains the separate Westin Vacation Club structure and licensing relationship.