Starwood Continues Rapid Expansion in China with Announcement of Sheraton Xiamen Hotel.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Sheraton Xiamen will be Starwood's 23rd Property in China and Xiamen's First Five-Star Hotel

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc (NYSE: HOT) and Xiamen Fuchun Orient Hotel Company Limited announced an agreement for Starwood to manage the Sheraton Xiamen Hotel in China. The newly built 348-room Sheraton Xiamen Hotel is scheduled to open in June 2005 and will be the city's first five-star hotel. With the opening of the Sheraton Xiamen, Starwood will have the largest inventory of upscale hotels in China, bringing the total number of properties to 23, more than any other international hotel company.

"China has much to offer to the business, leisure, conference and incentive travelers, whether it be fascinating destinations, rich history and culture, business and conference facilities or world class hotels," said Miguel Ko, President, Asia-Pacific, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. "They can select from a range of fine Starwood properties in the capital city of Beijing, bustling metropolis of Shanghai, resort haven of Sanya on Hainan Island, and numerous cultural and business destinations throughout the country."

Starwood has expanded its portfolio in China significantly over the last year with the opening of Sheraton hotels in Sanya on Hainan Island, and in Dongguan in the Guangdong province. Starwood also recently signed for the development of two new hotels in Shenzhen and one in Ningbo.

Xiamen is one of China's most vibrant cities with many thriving industries, primarily in international trade, education, science and tourism. Located on the southeastern coast of Fujian province in China, Xiamen is a beautiful seaport city that boasts a long and colorful history dating back 3,000 years. The city offers extensive and varied sightseeing experiences - from thousand year-old Buddhist temples to fortresses. It is the cultural and academic center of Fujian Province, with a rich 19th-century European flavor in its architecture. It is also one of the most tastefully renovated cities in China, giving it the feel of a holiday resort.

The Sheraton Xiamen Hotel will be located in Jiantou District and is within walking distance to Xiamen's largest retail mall. Jiantou is designated as the new commercial and business district of Xiamen city. The hotel is part of a multi-purpose complex that houses the hotel in one tower and condominiums and a retail podium in the next. The hotel will feature 348 rooms, including 40 suites, and approximately 10,000 square feet of meeting and function space. The hotel facilities will also include four dining outlets, sports and recreational facilities, a health club and spa, an indoor swimming pool and retail center.

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 110,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. With internationally renowned brands, Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts including: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton and W brands, as well as Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For further information, please visit www.starwood.com.

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