Officials of New Castle Hotels and Resorts, a leading hotel owner, operator and developer, today named Kevin Baker director of sales and marketing for the under construction Westin Jekyll Island. The 200-room, oceanfront hotel is slated to open in the fourth quarter.

Baker previously was the director of group sales for the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort and Spa in Hilton Head, S.C. A career hotelier, Baker has worked within the Starwood family of brands since 2008 and earlier held various sales positions with Ritz Carlton, Marriott and Hilton. In his new role, Baker will develop and execute extensive marketing plans for the first oceanfront convention center hotel in the southeastern U.S. In addition to offering guests the only luxury hotel experience on the Jekyll Island beach, Westin Jekyll Island will be the anchor hotel for the recently-opened, 128,000 square foot Jekyll Island Convention Center.

"Kevin has exactly the right experience to market the Westin Jekyll Island to both the meeting/ convention markets and the leisure traveler," said Gerry Chase, president and COO of New Castle Hotels and Resorts, which will operate the hotel. "With the opening of this hotel, Jekyll Island quickly will emerge as a direct competitor for businesses that currently choose other beach venues. Kevin's experience with both the Westin brand and similar, beachfront markets give our hotel an advantage right out of the gate."

"The Westin Jekyll Island will play a major role in generating a new wave of tourism for Jekyll Island," said Baker. "Partnering with the beautiful new convention center, the hotel will provide corporate groups and associations a truly special location to meet and retreat. The island is rich in natural beauty and historic interest which appeals to many types of travelers. Clearly, the Westin brand, with its emphasis on wellness and rejuvenation, is the perfect addition to the hotel mix in this accessible, yet unspoiled, destination."

With breathtaking ocean views and direct beach access, The Westin Jekyll Island will feature both meeting and banquet facilities alongside a full suite of Westin's signature amenities and services. It will include a full-service restaurant and the brand's signature WestinWORKOUT® program, all designed to promote overall wellbeing. LEED design elements, coupled with the brand's room designs, which are 60 percent more sustainable than earlier iterations will ensure that the hotel will minimize its impact on the environmentally sensitive barrier island and meet guests' desires for a more healthful hotel experience.

The Westin Jekyll Island will be convenient to the island's four golf courses, 10 miles of barrier island beaches and a variety of outdoor recreation, including marsh eco-tours, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and more than 20 miles of bike paths and kayaking.

About New Castle Hotels & Resorts

Westin Jekyll Island will be operated by Shelton Conn. based New Castle Hotels & Resorts, an award-winning independent third-party hotel manager, owner and developer with 30 hotels and resorts and nearly 5,000 rooms under contract or in development. New Castle's growing portfolio of hotels spans 10 states and three Canadian provinces and includes several of Canada's historic landmark resorts. The privately-held company was established by CEO, David Buffam in 1980 and consistently ranks among the top hotel management and development companies in North America. New Castle is a preferred operator for diverse brands within the Marriott, Hilton and Starwood families. For additional information, please go to www.newcastlehotels.com.

Daly Gray, Inc.
Lauralee Dobbins, 703-435-6293
Lauralee@dalygray.com