Following an Extensive Renovation, Hotel National Joins Starwood’s The Luxury Collection, Marking the Hotel Brand’s Landmark Debut in Russia

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announces the debut of its renowned The Luxury Collection brand in Russia, with the joining of Hotel National, A Luxury Collection Hotel. Following the first phase of a significant renovation to the hotel’s guest rooms and public spaces, the iconic Moscow hotel has joined The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, a glittering ensemble of more than 70 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts. Built in 1903 by famed Russian architect Alexander Ivanov, Hotel National has been a historic landmark for more than a century, in a magnificent location overlooking the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square in the very heart of Moscow’s historical, cultural and business center. The award winning hotels that make up The Luxury Collection include Hotel Danieli, Venice; Grande Bretagne, Athens; Marques de Riscal, Elciego, Spain; The Laguna Resort, Nusa Dua, Bali; Patios de Cafayate, Argentina; SLS at Beverly Hills; and The Phoenician, Scottsdale.

“The Luxury Collection is a portal to the world’s most enriching and desirable destinations, where nothing less than an exceptional level of service, perfect location and indigenous personal offerings will do,” said Paul James, Global Brand Leader, The Luxury Collection and St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. “Celebrated for its distinct Russian heritage, classic architecture and Art Nouveau design, Hotel National adds another jewel to The Luxury Collection’s glittering ensemble.”

“With the opening of Hotel National, A Luxury Collection Hotel, we proudly introduce The Luxury Collection brand to Moscow. This hotel is a true expression of its destination, making it a perfect addition to The Luxury Collection’s portfolio of spectacular hotels and resorts,” says Roeland Vos, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa & Middle East. “The property’s long-standing history of welcoming prominent people from around the world, combined with its striking location, impeccable service and renovated interior ensure it will provide a unique and enriching experience to our guests.”

The historical grandeur and understated elegance of the property, together with the exceptional signature The Luxury Collection services and discrete modern technology, makes Hotel National a favorite destination in Moscow for sophisticated global explorers. Hotel National has undergone an extensive renovation of all guest rooms, suites and public areas, restoring the hotel to its original splendour creating a contemporary luxury that will uphold the hotel’s legacy as a landmark destination. Each of the 206 luxuriously appointed guest rooms feature genuine and exclusive furniture inspired by the hotel’s nineteenth century décor, spacious bathing and dressing areas, as well as state-of-the-art technologies including plasma TVs and DVD players. In addition, the hotel’s 56 historical suites are adorned with authentic and rare Russian antiquities, including vases, lamps, mirrors, statues and paintings. Many of the hotel’s guest rooms boast exceptional city views including panoramas of the Kremlin.

The second renovation phase is scheduled to commence in 2010 and will bring about an underground parking, new spa and fitness facilities as well as two magnificent Presidential suites. Future renovation plans will also include the addition of an exclusive courtyard restaurant as well as a redesign of Hotel National’s renowned Alexandrovsky bar and Moskovski restaurant with a new haute cuisine culinary concept. Combining historical ambience in the best possible location with innovative elegance and a legacy of unparalleled service Hotel National, a Luxury Collection Hotel is the epitome of Russian hospitality and has played host to kings, heads of state, aristocrats and dignitaries from around the world. The restoration of Hotel National will be completed by the end of 2012.

About The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts
The Luxury Collection® is a selection of hotels and resorts offering unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories. For the global explorer, The Luxury Collection offers a gateway to the world’s most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort is a unique and cherished expression of its location; a portal to the destination’s indigenous charms and treasures. Magnificent décor, spectacular settings, impeccable service and the latest modern conveniences combine to provide a uniquely enriching experience. Today, The Luxury Collection is a glittering ensemble of more than 70 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in more than 30 countries in bustling cities and spectacular destinations around the world. The Luxury Collection includes award-winning hotels that continuously exceed guest expectations by offering unparalleled service, style and class in some of the most desired destinations in the world. Most recently, Mystique, a Luxury Collection Resort, was honored with the 2008 Travel + Leisure Design Award for Best Small Resort in the world. All of these hotels, many of them centuries old, are internationally recognized as being among the world’s finest. For more information, please visit www.luxurycollection.com.

About Starwood Hotels & Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 960 properties in approximately 97 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft®, and ElementSM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

The Region’s Fastest Growing Hotel and Leisure Company Is On Track to Open Nearly 20 Best-in-Class Hotels by 2012

From the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) in Dubai, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced today the signing of a hotel within The Luxury Collection brand in Ajman, United Arab Emirates. The new-build, 207-room property is expected to open in 2012, and is illustrative of Starwood’s market leading growth in the region and around the world.

With a focus on working with the right partners on the right properties in the right places, Starwood remains on track to increase its global portfolio by 40 percent over the next five years and is set to open its 1000th hotel worldwide this year. The Middle East plays a key role in the global expansion, with plans to open nearly 20 new hotels in the region by 2012. Of these hotels, 75 percent are in the Gulf, which is a priority market for the future growth of Starwood.

“Our presence in the region dates back to our first Sheraton in Kuwait in 1966,” said Roeland Vos, President, Europe, Africa & Middle East, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “Today, we have an established footprint of 49 properties across 11 countries, and we look forward to continuing to build our presence with best-in-class hotels like The Luxury Collection Hotel in Ajman.”

“By working closely with our proven development partners, Starwood is able to sign and open high caliber hotels like The Luxury Collection Hotel in Ajman, even during challenging economic times,” said Simon Turner, President, Global Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “We are building, opening, converting, renovating and innovating for the recovery and beyond.”

Along with The Luxury Collection, each of Starwood’s compelling and distinctive brands continues to grow in the region. W Hotels, the lifestyle hotel innovator, marked its entry into the Middle East with the recent opening of the W Doha Hotel & Residences. With 10 years of proven success, W Hotels will double its footprint to 60 hotels by 2011, adding new properties in vibrant destinations around the world including Amman, Barcelona, Paris and Shanghai.

St. Regis, recognized globally as the preeminent luxury hotel brand, is developing world-class hotels in Doha, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi. And the Le Méridien brand, which Starwood acquired in 2005, continues to grow its established presence of 21 hotels in the Middle East with a new hotel scheduled to open in Doha in 2011.

Within the upper-upscale segment, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts is growing in both established and emerging markets with new hotels and important renovations such as the Sheraton Oman. This hotel is undergoing a $57 million renovation and is set to reopen December. Westin is expected to open new properties in Abu Dhabi and Aqaba, Jordan by 2012. These new hotels build on the momentum of the 2008 opening of the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi.

Starwood’s new and established select serve brands are seeing growth in the region as well. Four Points by Sheraton is slated to open hotels in Doha, Tripoli, Tartous (Syria), Jeddah and Dhahran in the next three years. This year, the Aloft brand will open its first hotel in the region with the Aloft Abu Dhabi. And Starwood’s green trailblazer, Element, which also launched in 2008, will soon expand with the recent signing of a new hotel also in Abu Dhabi. Upon the opening of this hotel, the Middle East will become the second region in the world to have Starwood’s complete portfolio of nine brands represented – each of which is backed by the power of Starwood Preferred Guest®.

About Starwood Hotels & Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 960 properties in approximately 97 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched AloftSM, and ElementSM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.