Marriott International has become the powerhouse behind one of the world’s most recognized luxury hotel brands.

The ownership story of Westin Hotels & Resorts traces back to Marriott’s landmark $13.6 billion acquisition of Starwood Hotels and Resorts in 2016. Today, Westin operates as a key brand in Marriott’s impressive portfolio, with over 235 hotels and resorts spanning more than 40 countries and territories.

When you look at Westin’s parent company, you’re looking at a true hospitality giant. Marriott International manages nearly 8,800 properties with over 1.5 million rooms across 139 countries and territories as of early 2024. This massive footprint gives Westin significant advantages in global reach and operational resources.

Westin hasn’t just survived under Marriott’s ownership—it’s thrived. Known as the hospitality leader in well-being for over a decade, the brand continues expanding with new openings like The Westin Istanbul Nisantasi in Turkey and The Westin Resort and Spa, Himalayas in India.

In this article, you’ll discover the complete ownership journey of Westin, from its founding to its current position in Marriott’s brand portfolio. We’ll also dive into who actually owns Marriott, explore recent developments in Westin’s global expansion, and clear up common misconceptions about how the brand’s ownership really works.

Who Owns Westin Hotels in 2025?

Marriott International, Inc. stands as the definitive owner of the Westin Hotels brand in 2025.

This American hospitality giant, headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, has maintained ownership of Westin since the landmark Starwood Hotels & Resorts acquisition in 2016. Throughout the 2020s, this relationship has only grown stronger as Marriott continues integrating Westin into its broader strategy.

The ownership structure isn’t complicated, but it is significant. Marriott’s control of Westin represents one of the most important brand acquisitions in modern hospitality history. While many hotel brands have changed hands multiple times over recent decades, Westin has found a stable home within Marriott’s expansive portfolio.

If you’re wondering about the practical implications of this ownership, they’re substantial. Westin hotels worldwide benefit from Marriott’s operational expertise, global distribution systems, and the popular Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program that connects millions of travelers to the brand.

Knowing who owns Westin hotels helps you understand the decision-making process behind everything from new property development to brand standards that affect your stay.

Westin as a Marriott International brand

Westin sits comfortably within Marriott International as one of the company’s premium hotel brands. When you look at Marriott’s lineup, you’ll find Westin among an impressive collection of over 30 iconic hospitality names including The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Sheraton, St. Regis, and W Hotels.

This position gives Westin some serious advantages. Marriott’s global reach is nothing short of massive—as of January 2024, their worldwide system includes nearly 8,800 properties with over 1,597,000 rooms spanning 139 countries and territories. That footprint makes Marriott International the largest hotel company in the world by available room count.

If you’ve stayed at a Westin recently, you’ve probably noticed how seamlessly it connects to the broader Marriott family through Marriott Bonvoy. This global travel program unifies all of Marriott’s brands under a single loyalty framework. For you as a guest, this means earning and redeeming points across the entire Marriott network while still enjoying Westin’s specific benefits.

What really sets Westin apart within this family of brands is its focus on wellness. The brand identity centers around well-being programming and revitalizing amenities designed to ensure guests “leave feeling better than when they arrived”. This wellness approach has become Westin’s calling card—a distinguishing characteristic that Marriott continues to develop and promote.

Clarifying common misconceptions about ownership

When it comes to Westin hotels, there’s often confusion between who owns the brand and who owns the actual buildings. Here’s the reality: Marriott International owns the Westin brand name, but individual Westin hotel properties operate under different ownership arrangements.

If you’ve ever wondered how these hotels actually work, most Westin properties run under one of these three models:

1. Direct ownership by Marriott International (this happens less frequently)
2. Franchise agreements with independent hotel owners who pay to use the Westin name
3. Management contracts where Marriott operates the property on behalf of the owner

Behind the scenes, a legal entity called MIF, L.L.C.—established under Delaware law in 2012—serves as a Marriott International subsidiary handling certain aspects of the Westin brand.

Many people also misunderstand the Marriott family’s role. While the company carries their name and family members led from 1927 until 2012, Marriott International is actually a publicly traded company. The ownership breaks down into insiders (17.78%), institutional investors (64.84%), and individual investors. As of December 2023, John Marriott held the position of largest individual shareholder with 7.609% ownership, representing 22,027,118 Class A shares.

The institutional ownership is particularly significant. With 1,761 institutional shareholders collectively owning nearly two-thirds of common stock shares, the reality is more complex than many realize. So while Marriott International owns Westin, Marriott itself belongs to thousands of shareholders, both individual and institutional.

A Look Back: The History of Westin Ownership

Westin’s ownership story reads like a fascinating chapter of hospitality history. From humble beginnings to becoming part of the world’s largest hotel company, Westin has changed hands multiple times over its nearly century-long journey. Each ownership transition marked a significant shift not just for the brand, but for the industry as a whole.

Founding in 1930 as Western Hotels

The Westin story began during an unlikely time—the Great Depression. Two competing hoteliers, Severt W. Thurston and Frank Dupar, happened to meet over breakfast at the Commercial Hotel coffee shop in Yakima, Washington. This chance encounter sparked something unexpected: a business partnership designed to weather the economic storm.

Together with Peter and Adolph Schmidt, who operated five hotels in the Puget Sound area, they formed a management company that would eventually become a hospitality giant. Western Hotels started small with just 17 properties—16 in Washington and one in Boise, Idaho. 

The company expanded quickly despite difficult economic conditions, reaching Vancouver and Portland by 1931, then pushing into Alaska in 1939 and California in 1941. Their business model was ahead of its time, focusing on management agreements rather than property ownership—a strategy that many major hotel companies follow today.

Merger with United Airlines in 1970

The 1970s brought a major ownership shift when Western International Hotels merged with United Airlines. This wasn’t just any corporate marriage—it reflected a growing trend of airlines seeking control of hotels to create more complete travel services for their customers.

Under this new arrangement, Western operated as an independent subsidiary of UAL Inc. (United Airlines’ parent company). The company kept both its management team and Seattle headquarters intact. Edward Carlson, who had led Western International, took the helm as president and CEO of UAL, Inc. and United Airlines.

In 1981, the company made a strategic branding decision, shortening its name to “Westin”—simply a contraction of “Western International.” This change created the brand name we recognize today.

Acquisition by Aoki Corporation in 1988

After almost two decades with United, Westin changed hands again. Japan’s Aoki Corporation, a diversified construction and real estate company, purchased Westin from Allegis Corporation (UAL’s successor) for $1.35 billion. What happened next showed Aoki’s immediate strategy: they quickly sold the prestigious Plaza Hotel in New York City to Donald Trump for approximately $390 million.

Starwood Capital and Goldman Sachs takeover in 1994

By the mid-1990s, Aoki found itself struggling with debt and decided to sell Westin. A group led by Starwood Capital Group and Goldman Sachs stepped in, initially agreeing to acquire the company for $561 million. By the time the deal closed in May 1995, they had negotiated the price down to $537 million—leaving Aoki with a substantial loss compared to its original $1.53 billion investment.

The deal had an interesting structure: Starwood gained control of the Westin brand name worldwide while also acquiring ownership stakes in several Westin properties. Aoki held onto nine properties in the United States and Canada, though Westin continued to manage these hotels under Starwood’s direction.

Marriott’s acquisition of Starwood in 2016

The final major ownership change came in September 2016, when Marriott International completed its acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide for $13 billion. This wasn’t just another hotel deal—it was an industry-changing transaction that created the world’s largest hotel company.

The acquisition brought together Marriott’s established brands (including Courtyard and Ritz Carlton) with Starwood’s impressive portfolio (featuring Sheraton, Westin, W, and St. Regis). The combined entity boasted more than 5,800 properties and 1.1 million rooms across over 110 countries.

This landmark deal brought Westin into Marriott’s ecosystem, where it remains today as one of the company’s premium brands, focused on wellness and revitalizing experiences for guests.

Inside Marriott: The Parent Company of Westin

When you think about who controls Westin’s destiny, you need to understand Marriott International. This hospitality giant provides the foundation that allows Westin to thrive in the global marketplace.

Overview of Marriott International

Marriott International wasn’t always the industry leader it is today. The company emerged in 1993 when the original Marriott Corporation split into two separate entities. Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, this American hospitality powerhouse now employs approximately 155,000 people worldwide.

The numbers speak for themselves. Marriott generated $25.10 billion in revenue for 2023—up 5.8% from the previous year. This financial strength gives Westin a stable foundation for continued growth.

Marriott’s approach to business follows three main paths: directly owning properties, franchising brands to independent owners, and managing hotels for property owners. This flexible model helps the company expand quickly without pouring massive capital into every new location.

At its core, Marriott operates on five key values: “put people first, pursue excellence, embrace change, act with integrity, and serve our world”. These principles aren’t just corporate talk—they shape how Marriott operates its entire brand collection, including Westin.

How Westin fits into Marriott’s brand portfolio

Marriott boasts over 30 distinct brands, but Westin holds a special place in this lineup. The brand came into Marriott’s fold during the landmark 2016 Starwood Hotels & Resorts acquisition, which brought 11 new brands under the Marriott umbrella.

What makes Westin stand out? Its focus on wellness. The brand’s marketing emphasizes “innovative well-being programming and revitalizing amenities ensure you leave feeling better than when you arrived”. 

This wellness identity gives Westin a clear position among its sister brands:

• Marriott Hotels focuses on “modern, thoughtful design”
• Sheraton is “deeply rooted in over 400 communities”
• Renaissance Hotels centers on “spontaneous discovery”

If you’re a frequent guest, you’ve likely noticed that Westin participates fully in Marriott Bonvoy. This unified loyalty program replaced separate systems including Marriott Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest, and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards in 2019.

Marriott’s global hotel footprint

Marriott’s reach is nothing short of extraordinary. The company operates 9,361 properties as of 2024—up significantly from 8,785 properties just a year earlier. These hotels include more than 1.7 million rooms across 144 countries and territories.

The company isn’t slowing down. In 2023 alone, Marriott added over 400 properties and nearly 64,000 organic rooms to its system. They also acquired the City Express brand portfolio, bringing another 150 properties and approximately 17,500 rooms into the fold.

Looking ahead, Marriott has ambitious plans. Their development pipeline included nearly 3,400 hotels and roughly 573,000 rooms at the end of 2023. The luxury segment shows particularly strong momentum, with a record 58 luxury hotel deals signed in 2023.

For Westin, this massive network creates a powerful distribution system. The brand can leverage Marriott’s economies of scale, purchasing power, and operational expertise to deliver better experiences for guests while improving profitability for owners.

Who Owns Westin Hotels in 2025? The Real Story Behind The Brand

Who Really Owns Marriott? Shareholders and Stakeholders

When you look at who actually controls Westin’s parent company, you’ll find a more complex picture than you might expect. Marriott International may own Westin, but who owns Marriott? The answer reveals a mix of institutional investors, public shareholders, and ongoing family influence.

Institutional investors and insider ownership

Marriott’s ownership breaks down into three main categories that show how corporate control really works:

• Institutional investors hold approximately 65.5% of shares
• Individual investors (including the general public) control about 22%
• Company insiders maintain around 7.45% ownership

This structure shows that despite the family name on the building, Marriott operates primarily as a publicly-traded corporation controlled by large investment entities.

If you follow insider trading activities throughout 2025, you’ll notice numerous transactions among Marriott executives and board members. Deborah Marriott Harrison controls millions of shares across various accounts, yet institutional investors remain the dominant force shaping the company’s direction.

Top shareholders: Vanguard, BlackRock, and more

The biggest players in Marriott ownership are major investment firms. The Vanguard Group stands as Marriott’s largest institutional shareholder, owning approximately 7.39% of the company with over 20.2 million shares valued at about $5.50 billion as of early 2025.

BlackRock follows closely with 5.52% ownership, holding roughly 15.1 million shares worth $4.10 billion.

Other key institutional stakeholders include:

• State Street Global Advisors (3.42% ownership)
• JP Morgan Asset Management (2.25%)
• Wellington Management Group (1.98%)
• Geode Capital Management (1.87%)

These financial giants exercise significant sway over Marriott’s strategic decisions through their substantial voting rights.

Role of the Marriott family in company leadership

The Marriott family hasn’t stepped away completely. Despite being a public company, family members continue to exert notable influence. Richard Marriott remains a significant individual shareholder with approximately 3.94% ownership, while John Marriott controls roughly 2.52% of shares.

A pivotal moment came in 2012 when Arne Sorenson became the first non-Marriott CEO. However, family presence persists in governance, with David Marriott succeeding his father Bill Marriott as Chairman of the Board in May 2022. Bill Marriott expressed his feelings about this continuation, noting “My son David Marriott will succeed me as Chairman of the Board, and I couldn’t be a prouder father”.

This balanced approach—professional management with family oversight—helps keep Marriott’s founding values intact even as institutional investors hold majority control of Westin’s parent company.

Conclusion

Westin’s journey from a chance meeting in a Yakima coffee shop to a cornerstone of the world’s largest hospitality company tells us something important about brand evolution.

Marriott’s acquisition of Starwood in 2016 changed everything for Westin. This pivotal deal brought the wellness-focused brand into Marriott’s massive ecosystem while allowing Westin to keep its distinct identity. The brand continues to thrive by combining its well-established wellness philosophy with Marriott’s global resources and operational expertise.

But the ownership story goes deeper than corporate transactions. When you look behind Marriott International, you find a complex network of stakeholders – major institutional investors like Vanguard and BlackRock hold the majority of shares, while the Marriott family maintains significant influence through both ownership stakes and leadership roles. This balanced approach helps explain how Westin preserves its core values while pursuing ambitious expansion goals.

The future looks bright for Westin under Marriott’s ownership. The brand keeps entering new markets with impressive properties across Asia and Europe. Its sustainability initiatives reflect what today’s travelers care about, and full integration with Marriott Bonvoy gives guests access to an unprecedented range of experiences and rewards.

So when we ask who owns Westin Hotels in 2025, the answer tells us more than just corporate structure—it reveals how strategic acquisitions, family legacy, and global vision come together to shape a hospitality brand. Westin shows us how a successful brand can stay true to its identity even as ownership and market demands evolve around it.

FAQs

Q1. Who currently owns Westin Hotels? 

Westin Hotels is owned by Marriott International, which acquired the brand as part of its purchase of Starwood Hotels & Resorts in 2016. Marriott continues to operate Westin as one of its premium hotel brands within its extensive portfolio.

Q2. How many Westin hotels are there worldwide? 

As of 2025, there are over 235 Westin hotels and resorts spanning more than 40 countries and territories. The brand continues to expand globally, with new properties opening in various locations, particularly in Asia and Europe.

Q3. What sets Westin apart from other hotel brands? 

Westin is known for its focus on wellness and well-being. The brand emphasizes innovative programming and revitalizing amenities designed to ensure guests “leave feeling better than when they arrived.” This wellness-centric approach distinguishes Westin within Marriott’s diverse brand portfolio.

Q4. Can I use Marriott Bonvoy points at Westin hotels? 

Yes, Westin hotels fully participate in the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program. Members can earn and redeem points for stays at Westin properties, as well as access exclusive experiences and benefits across the entire Marriott network.

Q5. Are Westin hotels committed to sustainability?

Westin hotels have implemented various sustainability initiatives across their properties. These include using renewable energy sources, implementing water recycling systems, prioritizing ethical sourcing practices, and offering programs like “Make a Green Choice” that allow guests to participate in conservation efforts.