Starwood Hotels & Resorts will launch two Westin brand hotels in Panama, which are expected to open in the next two years.

The Westin Playa Bonita Panama will open in 2011 followed by the opening of the Westin Panama Hotel in 2012.

The two new hotels will be operated as franchised properties under an agreement between Starwood and Bern Hotels & Resorts Panama.

Westin Hotels vice-president Nancy London said the Panama hotels will expand the Westin portfolio to four Latin American countries.