Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ Westin brand has signed a deal with a subsidiary company belonging to Phoenix Enterprises to operate an Andalusian resort conversion in Benahavís, Spain, when it opens in March 2016.

Inversiones Hoteleras La Quinta S.L.U is the subsidiary of Phoenix Enterprises with which Starwood has agreed to manage the Spanish property. Phoenix Enterprises is a Chilean business conglomerate with more than 30 years’ multi-disciplinary interests across real estate, agriculture, energy, financial and marketing services industries.

Located near the historic Encarnacion Church, a ninth century Arab fortress and the Puerto Banús marina, the 172-bedroom Westin La Quinta Golf & Spa Resort will house a 1,500sq m (16,146sq ft) Heavenly Spa, an indoor pool and a WestinWORKOUT Studio.

The resort will also encompass a 27-hole championship golf course designed by Manuel Piñero, in addition to more than 800sq m (8,611sq ft) of event space.

“Our partnership with Starwood Hotels & Resorts and the Westin brand will deliver a best-in-class product to our guests, as well as excellent facilities and dining options for leisure travellers to the region,” said Orlando Chacra Orfali, president of Phoenix Enterprises – highlighting the firm’s enthusiasm to grow its European hotel assets.

While more than half of Westin branded hotels are located in the US, more than 65 per cent of the brand’s pipeline is due to feature on other continents – including the Westin Hamburg that’s being designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron.