Gwinnett County now has its own Westin, conveniently located within the Gas South District. The Westin Atlanta Gwinnett offers an upscale experience for travelers, five-star dining and a direct connection to the convention center.
“The Westin Atlanta Gwinnett can help draw different types of business and more business to our area with a recognized, respected brand and a full-service experience in an ideal location,” says Mark Castriota, general manager of the Westin Atlanta Gwinnett.
This new hotel is well-suited for business travelers, event planners, and others who need a convenient place to stay while traveling or doing business locally. The Westin Atlanta Gwinnett is also equipped for business lunches and dinners, after-hours gatherings, weddings, and a wide range of private events.
The 11-story hotel features 348 guest rooms including two presidential suites, 16 event rooms with more than 27,000 square feet of flexible space, a lush courtyard, a well-equipped fitness center, an indoor saltwater pool and all the comforts of the Westin brand. Architectural design surrounds guests with the feeling of nature with floor-to-ceiling windows, natural tones and special attention to lighting choices that mimic nature.
This is also the first Westin hotel to feature an indoor water well where guests can fill reusable bottles with their choice of alkaline, spring or still water. This feature embodies the natural theme and boosts Westin’s sustainability effort by reducing plastic waste.
Culinary enthusiasts can enjoy five-star dining in the lobby restaurant named Sweet Song, which pays homage to the past, present and future culture of our area through an eclectic menu that blends Appalachian foods, Korean influence and Southern flavors. “Gwinnett is one of the most diverse counties in the U.S., and our menu shows the harmony of the different cultures in our area with overlapping ingredients in each dish and carefully crafted cocktails,” says Castriota.
The hotel also features a rooftop bar, called Overstory, with a signature menu and architectural design inspired by the Amazon rainforest. Overstory features glass walls and three distinct areas — including two open-air and one enclosed — with some areas available for private functions. Fire pits, water features and lush plants continue the hotel’s natural theme.
Overstory makes a lasting impression with its shareable dishes that feature tropical fruits and Peruvian flavors as well as specialty cocktails with and without alcohol. “We’re really proud of the fact that we’ve put as much effort into the creation of nonalcoholic beverages as those with alcohol,” adds Castriota.
Overstory is open daily starting at 4 p.m. for hotel guests and the public, and a Sunday brunch is on the horizon.
The hotel also features a full-service Starbucks with easy access from within or outside the hotel.
Castriota is eager to partner with local business leaders to become a destination for business travel to Gwinnett and Atlanta. “We can provide so many ways to meet business’ needs — from lodging to meeting space to receptions. We’re excited to bring this new experience to Gwinnett and look forward to giving businesses and residents a new option.”
As a new Chairman’s Club member, Castriota has enjoyed connecting with local business leaders and hearing more about how the Westin Atlanta Gwinnett can help them. When he’s not meeting with guests or local leaders, Castriota spends his days leading virtually every element of the new hotel.
On his desk, a wooden block displays a motto that drives Castriota in his quest for excellence: “Find the Good and Praise It.” He notes, “Thousands of things go wrong every day, and 25 go exceptionally right. As a leader, it’s important to find those 25 things and recognize them widely.”