Westin Annapolis Announces New “Wings”

Have you heard the buzz? Literally, that is! If you’ve been to The Westin Annapolis lately, you may have noticed that the 225-room hotel recently installed two honey bee beehives on its roof.  In addition to creating a haven for a globally depleted honey bee population, the hotel also plans to harvest the honey produced by the bees.

“Bees are one of nature’s most industrious workers, not only by making delicious honey, but by helping to pollinate and sustain much of the planet’s plant population, too,” says James Barrett, hotel chef.  “My father introduced me to the hobby of apiculture some 30 years ago, and I’ve since become somewhat of an avid apiarist myself.  As he told me then, ‘Bees have been around forever, and if you sit back long enough and watch them, they will teach you.’”

Recent studies show that farms that are pollinated by bees produce on average 50 percent more crops.  According to the USDA, between 2005 and 2007, honey bee populations were in serious and mysterious decline, creating a 40 to 60 percent negative impact on crops that cost the U.S. more than $15 billion last year.  Since then, there has been a major effort to repopulate the honey bee universe, which is the most docile of the bee varieties.  To date, bee colonies are still down 20 percent.

The two hives, made of ponderosa pine wood, are approximately two feet tall and will vary in size depending on the time of year.  In the late fall and winter, the hives are made up of two chambers to house the insects, but in spring and summer multiple boxes, or supers, will be added for honey production.  The hives will be located on the hotel’s second story rooftop, visible to all guest rooms that face the front of the hotel.  The hive area is covered with rocks to create a Zen-like rock garden feel.  Each hive is expected to produce up to 60 pounds of honey annually.

Chef Barrett plans to use the honey in a wide variety of signature dishes, including honey lacquered hot smoked salmon.  He already is working on new specialty dishes, such as old bay honey cashew brittle, to make further use of the sweet crop.

“Once it is harvested, we plan to make the honey a signature item,” Barrett notes.  “We’ll use it in everything from daily food specials to special 2-ounce jars embossed with the hotel logo and a honey bee for sale to guests.”

Located at 100 Westgate Circle, the hotel is one of the newest additions to the Maryland state capital’s European-inspired mixed-use community in Annapolis.  Centrally situated in the city, The Westin Annapolis Hotel is moments away from such local attractions as the US Naval Academy, the Maryland state capitol building, shopping on the waterfront cobblestone Main Street and sailing on the Chesapeake Bay.  Guest rooms include Starwood’s Heavenly Bed® and Heavenly Bath®, ergonomic desk chairs, flat-panel high definition televisions, wireless high speed Internet access, an in-room safe large enough to accommodate a laptop computer, and 24-hour room service.  Heavenly Cribs® and Heavenly Dog Beds® also are available upon request.

Hotel amenities include the WestinWORKOUT® Gym, heated indoor pool, and access to the Varuna Spa by Aveda.  In addition to Replenish, a lobby level Starbucks®, dining options include the upscale Azure Restaurant and Lounge.

The hotel, operated by Davidson Hotel Company, recently completed a $2.1 million renovation to enhance its meeting space.

For more information and reservation, visit www.westinannapolis.com.