Recreation/Fitness
The Westin Lombard Yorktown Center features a state-of-the-art exercise facility, the WestinWORKOUT Powered by Reebok Gym. This expansive fitness center offers equipment for both cardiovascular and weight training. The indoor heated swimming pool and hot tub provide a chance for guests to rejuvenate and relax.

Area Attractions
The Yorktown Shopping Center, at Highland Avenue and Butterfield Road, features nearly 150 retail stores and restaurants anchored by four major department stores. Debuting in 2007 will be “The Shops on Butterfield,” a 200,000 square foot open-air lifestyle center that will feature dozens of new retailers, including 12 restaurants. Yorktown Center also features a premium 18-screen movie theater and several popular children attractions.

Getting There
From O’Hare International Airport: Take 294 South to I-88 West and exit at Highland Avenue. Turn right when you exit Highland Avenue onto Butterfield Road/Route 56. The hotel will be ¼ mile down the road on the left side. Distance: 14 miles; Drive time: 25 minutes.

From Midway Airport: Cicero Avenue North to I-55 South. Take I-55 to 355 North. Exit 355 North at Butterfield Road. Turn right onto Butterfield Road and the hotel will be one mile down on the left side. Distance: 21 miles; Drive time: 45 minutes.

Contacts
General Manager: Brent Menzel
Director of Sales and Marketing: Sara Marach

It was an audacious thought for William J. Mueller, Village President of Lombard, Illinois to float a bond issue to support a new premier hotel with premium conference facilities in his suburban Chicago community. Sure, he had heard of other communities investing in real estate development projects of this size as a way to stimulate economic growth. But Lombard was a small community of 44,000 people and these partnerships are normally taken on by major cities.
“I started thinking about this way back in the late ’90’s,” says Mueller. “I looked around this wonderful town of Lombard and saw a comfortable and prosperous community with an excellent quality of life. What I didn’t see was a way that we could keep the young people here once they grew up and started raising families of their own.” With this awareness, Mueller began to investigate ways to diversify the town’s economy and build economic strongholds for the future without invading the serenity or disrupting the stability of the town’s beautiful residential neighborhoods.
Mueller considered an idea whereby a new hotel could be built on the available store site. He discussed the idea with Bob Long, president of Yorktown Center Mall and from there the idea germinated into an actual development plan. Along the way they altered the plan, looking at four different sites and finally choosing to develop the hotel on a parcel of land across the street from the mall on Highland Avenue. There were advantages to this site, not the least of which was a small lake that adds to the aesthetics of the property. Additionally, the hotel would help anchor the mall and having access at 22nd Street would help manage traffic flow.
Mueller had obstacles to overcome to keep the momentum going. The first was to secure a deal with a real estate developer that could implement Lombard’s vision. The second was to change State of Illinois law to allow a small, non-home rule community to undertake a project of this scope. The third was to secure a hotel management partner that could provide the know-how and commitment to ensure the hotel’s success. The fourth was to find a restaurant partner to add to the total package and provide something great for the town’s residents.
Mid-America Hotel Partners, led by Tom McGuigan, had been working closely with Lombard since 2000 to determine the optimal deal structure that would meet Lombard’s needs. “After evaluating the pros and cons of many deal structures, we jointly determined that Lombard’s ownership of the hotel conference center was the ideal solution for Lombard” says McGuigan. At the time, McGuigan had just recently completed a 300 room hotel near O’Hare airport with a Harry Caray’s restaurant and had experience with public/private partnerships. “It was easy to see that Lombard was absolutely committed to this project and willing to endure the challenges that every development faces” exclaims McGuigan.
Next, Mueller traveled to Springfield, Illinois to personally meet with every legislator who could possibly be impacted by this project. It was a fluid time in Illinois state politics: A long period of Republican control was giving way to a new wave of Democratic leaders who were skeptical about a village government becoming so heavily invested in the private sector. In his discussions, Mueller first had to convince the state legislators that Lombard was actually in the financial position to support a $184 million dollar bond issue. It would be the first time such a small community had done this. He convinced them of Lombard’s excellent financial situation and he linked the prospective hotel to the long term economic growth and stability of the area. He helped the legislators realize that what was good for Lombard was also good for the surrounding communities and Illinois in general. As a result, Illinois law was changed and the foundation was laid for a bond issue to fund the project.

The third step was to seek out a hotel management company. They were thrilled when Westin Hotels expressed their interest. “Everyone knows Westin,” exclaims Mueller. “We knew that they would operate a very upscale hotel with the same congenial attitude and level of service that mirrors the Village of Lombard in general. The hotel would not only be a beautiful landmark and good business but would reflect well on our community and augment our civic pride.”
Finally, the project team wanted to identify a restaurant partner. Originally the Gibson’s team expressed interest, but later decided on an alternate location. Mueller was concerned until he was approached by Harry Caray’s Restaurant Group. While listening to a Chicago Cubs game on the radio, taking note of a Harry Caray’s commercial, he realized that this restaurant is so widely known both locally and nationwide, it would immediately help put the entire project on the radar screen. Fortunately, Harry Caray’s restaurant group, was not only interested in putting its namesake steakhouse in the hotel, but also wanted to pilot a new fresh seafood restaurant concept, Holy Mackerel!
With all key elements in place, an $184 million dollar 30-year bond was issued September 21, 2005. “In thirty years, the Village of Lombard will own the property,” says Mueller. “But we’re hoping for an early payoff—within twenty years or so.” Mueller suggests that some early forecasters estimate that the property with be worth $240 million in the next twenty years.
No skeptics here—the townspeople are excitedHappily, the people of Lombard have been overwhelmingly enthusiastic about the project. “The response I’ve gotten has been extremely positive,” explains Mueller. “We’ve been able to achieve balance—the hotel, its ballroom and conference facilities were built in a location that will not create problems for the residents. The hotel is far enough from the residential areas so that there won’t be major traffic problems impacting them. In fact, The Westin Lombard Yorktown Center has already had a ripple effect as a catalyst for other commercial development in the area. The new mall, Shops on Butterfield, on the other side of Yorktown Mall is just one example.”
According to Mueller, other developments are planned for Lombard, such as a new transportation center, new condominium developments and senior housing. “We’re telling the young people of Lombard: ‘stay and invest in the community.’ We’re doing our part by providing great new choices for companies and organizations holding meetings and for our citizens when they are hosting a major event. Most importantly, The Westin Lombard Yorktown Center is encouraging the creation of residential and commercial developments that will meet our people’s needs now and throughout their lifetime.”
Lombard has a right to be proud of its status as an investor in the first four star hotel project in DuPage County in the past twenty-five years. “It’s the right time for Lombard—it’s about moving forward and sharing our community,” says Mueller.“We’ve embarked upon something that everyone should be proud of, and we’ve definitely put Lombard on the map.”
About Westin Hotels & Resorts
Westin Hotels & Resorts, with more than 150 hotels and resorts in more than 31 countries and territories, is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT). Starwood Hotels & Resorts is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 850 properties in more than 95 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood® Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, Sheraton®, Westin®, Four Points® by Sheraton, W®, Le Meridien® and the recently announced AloftSM and ElementSM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts.
The Westin Lombard Yorktown Center was expressly designed to be the premier hotel and conference facility serving Chicago’s western suburbs. When the hotel opened on August 22, it became the western suburbs’ largest hotel property. Groups as large as 2,200 people will enjoy the beautiful and well-equipped meeting and banquet rooms this new four-star property has to offer.
The Westin Lombard Yorktown Center sets a standard in creating sophisticated, memorable events for all types of business and social occasions. Meeting and event planners alike have the luxury of using 39,000 square feet of flexible event space. The hotel has the largest grand ballroom in the western Chicago suburbs, with an impressive 23-foot ceiling and 19,000 square feet of space. Coupled with the 500 beautifully appointed, fully equipped guest rooms and suites, the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center can accommodate large out-of-town groups who desire exceptional overnight accommodations.
According to senior catering sales manager Mary Ann Goldenstein, the plentiful space offered by the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center has been one of the attributes most appealing to prospective event planners. The hotel features 26 stylish meeting rooms and 14,000 square feet of pre-function space that surround the central meeting areas. Each of the meeting rooms is equipped with complete audio visual production systems and Starwood’s Turbo Net High Speed Internet access.
Groups holding smaller meetings and social events may prefer to use the 8,000 square foot junior ballroom, which boasts impressive ceiling-to-floor windows and an outdoor terrace that overlooks the beautiful reflection pool. The junior ballroom can comfortably accommodate up to 750 celebrants. Another alternative for smaller meetings is the Lilac ballroom, equipped with subtle décor and expandable space. This room provides a more intimate setting for up to 350 guests.
Westin’s personalized quality of serviceFor hosts and planners deciding where to hold an event, the accommodating staff of the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center eases the tough decision by pledging that each event offers the highest level of personalized service and amenities for which Westin has become renowned. “Customers want the breathtaking ambiance of a Westin,” explained Goldenstein, who has worked hard to plan the dozens of weddings and black-tie galas that have been reserved months before the hotel has even opened. “Clients appreciate the level of personalized service and the event know-how that Westin offers. Every Westin associate strives to create a warm and hospitable environment which translates into a memorable event.”
Regardless of the size of an event, the professional staff of the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center will work hard to assure its success. Goldenstein recalls the motto of her Starwood mentor, Tim Ohrn, General Manager of the Westin O’Hare Hotel: “You bring it. I’ll make it happen for you, and make it right.” She uses this expression with each event she plans, emphasizing the importance of making her client’s day personalized and unforgettable. Catering for events at the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center is provided by executive chef Tom Moskos and his talented staff, who prepare a variety of traditional and modern cuisines. “Our menu options are basically limitless,” Moskos explains. “We pride ourselves on providing menu customizing for social events. We like to meet face to face with the event hosts and get a feel for what they are looking for. We then design a menu especially for them. Many times—often for weddings—we will do a tasting for the hosts and discuss the options.”
With the help of a local consultant, Moskos has developed an excellent South Asian menu package to accommodate the requests of the area’s international market. The large ballroom space makes the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center ideal for very large events such as South Asian weddings. “We are getting many requests for South Asian menus,” says Moskos. “We created an entire menu package for the South Asian market. We can also incorporate a South Asian flair to an American style menu which compliments the standard Westin cuisine.
Moskos likes to coach his staff before each event to make certain the food and beverage service is exceptional: “I gather my team daily to go over the details about the group we’re working with. I remind them we serve fine restaurant quality food and encourage them to have fun while trying to add a unique touch to each menu.” Paying such close attention to detail is what makes an event a success.
As if the flexible space and quality customer service isn’t enough to entice engaged couples and meeting planners to make the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center the site of their special event, event planners can benefit from the Starwood Preferred Planner which offers one Starpoint for every $3 that is spent. Accumulated Starpoints can be redeemed for free nights at Starwood properties, room upgrades and even products and gift certificates with participating retailers. Many couples can turn around and use these earned points to help pay for their honeymoon.

For a list of Planner Preferred Hotels in Chicago and the Chicago suburbs, visit Hereschicago.com