On September 16. 2011, the San Diego Union Tribune (
visit link) ran the following story:
"Westgate Hotel to get major new amenity
By Lori Weisberg | 5:36 p.m. Sept. 16, 2011
The upscale Westgate Hotel will get its first swimming pool, along with a full-service spa and fitness center, thanks to a unique partnership with a downtown health club.
PureFitness, which was looking for a new downtown location, is collaborating with the 41-year-old hotel in building out a largely unoccupied auxiliary building that fronts on Broadway.
Westgate General Manager Richard Cox acknowledged that the addition of a pool was a strong motivator in deciding to go forward with the project, estimated to cost $6.5 million.
"The most notable feedback we've received from guests is the lack of a swimming facility," Cox said. It's an amenity that many people look for when traveling for relaxation in a tranquil environment. And in San Diego, you have many newer hotels that have very upscale spa services, so this was an opportunity for the hotel to get to that next level."
PureFitness, which will bear most of the expense, is expected to have the new sports club and spa open by early next year, said Cox.
He noted that the Westgate's owner, Grand America Hotels and Resorts, had been exploring various options for the hotel's 40,000-square-foot auxiliary building, including converting it to hotel catering space and leasing out the second floor for offices.
PureFitness, which will operate the fitness center and spa, will lease the space from the Westgate.
"For the Westgate," Cox said, "this is one of our biggest amenity investments in the last 40 years.""