Starwood Vacation Ownership Resorts In California, Paradise Island and St. John, U.S.V.I. Join Interval International's Exchange Network.

Business & Travel Editors

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 5, 2001

Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc. has affiliated its new Westin Mission Hills Resort Villas in Rancho Mirage, California; Harborside Resort at Atlantis on Paradise Island in The Bahamas; and Westin St. John Resort Villas with Interval International.

These are the most recent Starwood vacation ownership resorts to join Interval's network since Starwood selected Interval International as its external vacation exchange provider for new properties last year.

"We are delighted to serve as both external exchange provider for these exceptional properties and as strategic partner in the development of Starwood's future vacation ownership business," said Craig M. Nash, chairman and chief executive officer of Interval International. "Starwood's presence and quality standards further enhance the stature of vacation ownership."

"We are pleased to have these resorts in Interval's exchange network. In so doing, we have made available to our members an extensive array of desirable external exchange options," said Raymond L. "Rip" Gellein, Jr., chairman and co-chief executive officer of Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc. "In addition, we look forward to Interval's strategic assistance as we continue to grow our portfolio of vacation ownership properties."

Westin Mission Hills Resort Villas

The Westin Mission Hills Resort Villas, located next to the acclaimed Westin Mission Hills Resort, overlooks a Pete Dye Golf Course and offers owners and guests full access to the resort hotel's swimming pools, fitness center and spa, restaurants, and recreational facilities. The first 16 of an eventual 158 resort villas will be under construction in February, with completion scheduled for late 2001. Each villa will have a fully-equipped kitchen, living and dining room, washer and dryer, televisions in each of the private bedrooms, a fireplace in the master bedroom, a large whirlpool tub in the master suite, private balcony with built-in BBQ grill, and a television and stereo system in the living room. The resort's amenities, designed according to an oasis theme, will include a large adult pool with private cabanas and a 200-foot water slide, children's pool, indoor and outdoor playgrounds, spa, a putting green, basketball court, private BBQ and picnic area, and an activity center. In addition, owners and guests will have full access to all the recreational facilities at Westin Mission Hills, including the two championship golf courses, fitness center and spa, and the Westin Kids Club.

Harborside Resort at Atlantis

Harborside Resort at Atlantis is a luxurious new vacation ownership resort adjacent to Sun International's Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. Opening in February of 2001, it offers owners and guests fully equipped one- and two-bedroom villas, with complete access to all of the restaurants, attractions, activities, and entertainment of the Atlantis Resort. Features of the Harborside villas include a terrace or balcony, an entertainment center with color satellite television, video cassette player and pay-per-view movies, and a full kitchen with range, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, coffee maker, toaster, blender, and washer/dryer. The resort itself has a zero-entry free-form swimming pool, a children's play area with kiddie pool, two-jetted spas, a fitness and recreation center, and a restaurant.

The acclaimed Atlantis Resort has 38 restaurants, bars, and lounges from which to choose; the Atlantis Casino; an impressive collection of luxury boutiques and shops; 11 swimming areas; and the world's largest marine habitat, home to 50,000 live sea creatures including sharks, sawfish, rays, and giant sea turtles. Other recreational opportunities include the Sports Center, with tennis, basketball, volleyball, a four-lane lap pool, and an 18-hole putting course and championship golf at the nearby Ocean Club Golf Course.

Harborside at Atlantis is a joint venture of Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., and Sun International Hotels Limited (NYSE:SIH).

The Westin Vacation Club-St. John

The 67 villas comprising the Westin St. John Resort Villas are adjacent to The Westin Resort St. John, a 285-room resort in a natural paradise of unspoiled beauty, offers spectacular views of Great Cruz Bay, white sandy beaches, and unspoiled forests. The resort offers guests an array of water sports, including snorkeling, scuba diving, windsurfing, sailing, fishing and parasailing. The resort also has an onsite fitness center, tennis courts, and numerous restaurants.

Interval International, The Quality Vacation Exchange Company, has served the vacation ownership industry since 1976, offering innovative products and leading the industry with the highest levels of quality, service, and value. Interval's reputation for superior products and services has attracted leading independent and brand-name developers to its network, which now includes nearly 1,800 resorts in more than 75 countries. Interval serves its developer clients and consumer members through 29 offices in 21 countries.

Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT). Through its St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Westin, Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton, and W brands, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world, with more than 725 properties in 80 countries and 120,000 employees at its owned and managed properties.