Case Description
State investigated the practices of Starwood, related to its operation of hotels competing in the downtown Seattle convention and large group markets. The state’s concern focused on Starwood’s management of the only two large convention hotels in Seattle, which were independently owned, and whether groups were receiving competitive bids from each hotel. The Seattle Sheraton and Seattle Westin hotels agreed to notify large groups and convention customers that they can request separate bids, quotes and prices from each hotel. Starwood also agreed the two hotels will only share between themselves pricing and availability information relating to negotiations with those customers when such information is also available to the industry or the public. In addition, Starwood will pay the state $1.05 million in costs and attorney fees.
