Westin Hotels to reach growth milestone in 2013 with opening of 200th hotel

Eleven New Westin Properties Slated to Open this Year Propelled by Strong Demand in Diverse International Markets including China, Panama, India, and Singapore

STAMFORD, Conn. – February 04, 2013– Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced that its Westin brand expects to open its 200^th hotel in 2013, driven by robust international demand and the phenomenal success of the brand’s distinct well-being positioning.

Westin will open 11 new hotels this year, the vast majority outside the United States in fast-growing markets including China, India, Singapore and Panama. 

“Westin is now experiencing the bulk of its growth in the world’s fastest growing economies, where it has emerged as a developer darling right out of the gate,” said Brian Povinelli, Global Brand Leader for Westin Hotels & Resorts. “With a history of industry firsts and a winning approach to well-being, Westin has inspired unwavering guest loyalty and generated tremendous enthusiasm among owners and developers across the globe.”

Westin Continues Strong Growth Trajectory Across Asia Pacific

In line with global growth trends, the Westin brand is experiencing a surge in new hotel openings across Asia Pacific. Seven new Westin hotels will open in Asia Pacific in 2013, increasing the brand’s portfolio to nearly 50 hotels in the region by year’s end. Fueling the brand’s growth in the region is the rapid economic growth in China’s second and third-tier cities. New Westin hotel openings in China this year include The Westin Haikou, The Westin Sanya Haitang Bay Resort, The Westin Chongqing Liberation Square and The Westin Qingdao.

Westin will also make its return to Singapore with the opening of The Westin Singapore Marina Bay in late 2013. In India, the Westin brand will add one hotel to its portfolio this year – The Westin Chennai Velachery.

Westin Nearly Doubles Portfolio in Latin America

Demand for new Westin hotels in Latin America is also heating up. In just the past 18 months, Westin has grown its footprint in Latin America by nearly 50% as part of the brand’s strategic expansion in the region’s fastest growing markets. This year’s opening of The Westin Panama will increase the Westin portfolio in Latin America to 11 hotels, spanning five countries including Panama, Mexico, Peru, Costa Rica and Guatemala.

“A long-time developer favorite in the U.S., Westin has emerged as a global market leader as witnessed by our surge of new hotel development in Asia Pacific, as well as continued momentum in Latin America,” said Simon Turner, President of Global Development for Starwood.  “We see continued opportunities for global growth through both world-class new build projects and conversions where developers benefit from the strength of the brand and Starwood’s powerful systems.” 

Steady Growth in North America

In North America, the Westin brand will add four new hotels to its portfolio this year, including The Westin Birmingham – a new-build property located within the city’s sleek, new mixed-use development.  Westin is also attracting a growing share of conversion opportunities in cities across the United States with The Westin Houston Downtown, The Westin Sacramento and The Westin San Jose all opening in 2013, following renovations. In Canada, Westin operates 15 Hotels and Resorts across the country from Victoria, B.C. to Halifax, N.S.

For more information on Westin Hotels & Resorts, please visit www.westin.com, Facebook or follow Westin on Twitter.

About Westin Hotels & Resorts

Westin Hotels & Resorts offers innovative programs that transform every aspect of a stay into a revitalizing experience. All Westin signature services – like the Heavenly Bed, delicious SuperFoods and WestinWORKOUT studio – have been designed with the guests’ well-being in mind. Westin hotels, with more than 190 hotels and resorts in nearly 40 countries and territories, is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1,134 properties in nearly 100 countries and 154,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood 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, Aloft®, and ElementSM. The Company boasts one of the industry’s leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. Starwood also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., a premier provider of world-class vacation experiences through villa-style resorts and privileged access to Starwood brands. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

(Note: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities regulations. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and involve risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated at the time the forward-looking statements are made. These risks and uncertainties are presented in detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although we believe the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained or that results and events will not materially differ. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.)

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