Introducing the Starwood Spa Collection - Your Passport to 30 of the World's Finest Spas; Global Hotel Giant Introduces New Spa Standards.

Lifestyle Editors/Business Editors/Travel Writers

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 24, 2004

If you've ever visited a hotel spa expecting luxury and found the whole experience a bit lackluster, you know that all hotel spas are not created equal. In its frenzy to capture a share of the over $10 billion spa business, the hotel industry has often taken a liberal approach to designating luxury spas. In an industry first, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) has set new standards for its spas, launching The Starwood Spa Collection which is comprised of 30 elite spas around the globe which all exceed standards set by the International Spa Association.

"Too many travelers have been burned by old meeting rooms masquerading as full-service spas," says Elaine Fenard, Starwood's Vice President of Spa Development. "We have inspected our spas around the globe and invited only the most elite to be members of our Starwood Spa Collection - these spas aren't just personal bests, they are among the world's best. The Starwood Spa Collection guarantees that guests will receive an unwavering standard of excellence whether in South Africa, Seoul or Scottsdale."

The Starwood Spa Collection is comprised of hotels and resorts from all corners of the globe including Spa Gaucin at the St. Regis Monarch Beach in Dana Point, California; The Angsana Spa at The Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket, Thailand, Spa Nizuc at The Westin Regina Resort, Cancun, Mexico and the renowned AltiraSPA at the Mardavall Hotel & Spa in Mallorca, Spain.

Introducing A New Approach To A Healthier Body, Mind & Spirit

Each of these luxurious oases are inspired by The Seven Pillars of Well-Being - the essential facets of health, beauty and inner peace that provide a true well-being approach to fitness.

The Seven Pillars of Well-Being philosophy that distinguishes each member of The Starwood Spa Collection are:

-- Beauty - Loving your body, mind and spirit

-- Life Balance - Mind and body in peaceful symmetry

-- Harmony - Achieving an inner peace where all the senses

balance in harmony

-- Aqua - Water - the source of life and the heart of the spa

experience

-- Vitality - Heightened energy and vigor - expanding your

fitness horizon

-- Nature - Centers the mind, body and spirit with earthly

elements

-- Nutrition - Healthy nourishment for the mind and body

These elements serve as the benchmark for the treatments and services available throughout The Starwood Spa Collection. Whether it be an unforgettable series of thalassotherapy treatments at the Sheraton Sharm Hotel, Resort & Villas on the Red Sea in Egypt, a signature Blue Agave Paraffin Wrap at the Agave Spa at The Westin Kierland Resort in Arizona or a soak in a local "soju" tub at The AWAY Spa at the soon-to-open W Seoul, guests will experience luxurious, revitalizing and nurturing treatments and services that are specifically designed around the elements of The Seven Pillars of Well-Being.

While each spa offers their own distinct personality, signature treatments and prestigious product lines, including Pevonia, Elemis, E'Spa, Decleor, Dior and La Prairie, guests will enjoy the same high-quality spa service the world over, whether they are staying at a Westin, W, Sheraton, The Luxury Collection or St Regis hotel. A dedicated and skilled hotel spa staff brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to every facility.

Other members of The Starwood Spa Collection include The Centre for Well-Being at The Phoenician, Phoenix, Arizona; the Spa Health and Health Club at The Westin Regina Resort, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; the Aqua Day Spa at the Sheraton Noosa Resort & Spa, Australia and the One Spa at the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh. For more information on The Starwood Spa Collection and The Seven Pillars of Well Being, please visit www.starwood.com/spacollection.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 740 properties in more than 80 countries and 105,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. With internationally renowned brands, Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchiser of hotels and resorts including: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, W brands, as well as Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwood.com.