was taken over by members of the interim government, while over 200 international journalists filled the hotel. The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party celebrated their landslide victory in the 1982 elections in the hotel. Maso sold the hotel in 1989 to CIGA hotels, an Italian luxury chain owned by the Aga Khan. The hotel hosted participants in the Madrid Conference of 1991 between Israel and the Palestinians. ITT Sheraton purchased CIGA in 1995, and placed the hotel in its ITT Sheraton Luxury Collection. Starwood Hotels purchased Sheraton in 1997, and the hotel became part of its Luxury Collection division. The hotel was declared Bien de Interés Cultural in 1999. Starwood moved the hotel to its Westin Hotels division in 2001, renaming the property The Westin Palace Madrid. The hotel was home to the first meeting of the Club of Madrid in 2001, and closed for three days to host international heads of state including Mikhail Gorbachev and Bill Clinton. In 2005, Starwood sold the hotel to Host Marriott as part of a package of 38 international hotel properties, for $4.1 billion. Westin continues to operate the hotel under a long-term contract. References External links Westin hotels Hotels in Madrid Bien de Interés Cultural landmarks in Madrid Art Nouveau hotels Hotel buildings completed in 1912 Hotels established in 1912 1912 establishments in Spain Alfonso XIII of Spain Buildings and structures in Cortes neighborhood, Madrid