Stay Off Santa's Naughty List!; Sheraton Gives Travelers the Chance to do Something NICE by Donating New Blankets on their Behalf.

Business Editors

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 1, 2000

Thousands of homeless people will be a little warmer this holiday season, thanks to guests of Sheraton hotels in Atlanta, Boston and San Diego. It's all part of Sheraton's "Holiday Caring Campaign," which will provide warm blankets to city shelters across the country on behalf of its guests.

"We'll donate a new blanket on the behalf of each guest who stays three nights or more before December 24, 2000," explains Jane Mackie, vice president of brand marketing for Sheraton Hotels & Resorts. "In Atlanta alone, that means that five city shelters will have brand new bed coverings."

As part of the campaign, guests can also enjoy the holiday-inspired events and activities taking place at the Sheraton Boston, Sheraton Buckhead (Atlanta), Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina and other participating Sheraton hotels throughout December. In addition, on December 22, Santa Claus himself will check into a Sheraton hotel to spend the weekend relaxing before his big night out: Christmas Eve. Why? He's most comfortable in one of the newly introduced Sheraton sleigh beds, of course! Two Sheraton sleigh beds will also be displayed in the lobby of each participating hotel. One will be stacked with donated blankets, and the other will be reserved for Santa.

Sheraton's signature sleigh bed is part of the brand's $350 million, two-year guestroom renovation program designed to give the brand a distinctly residential style. The sleigh bed, with pillow-top mattress, is the focal point of the new design, and is complemented by jewel tone fabrics, ergonomic chairs and oversized work areas. When complete, nearly 15,000 guest rooms in the U.S. and Canada will feature a new look. The new room renovation is an example of Sheraton's commitment to take care of its guests.

Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, the largest brand of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), has more than 375 hotels in 67 countries. Starwood 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. 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.

Please contact Starwood's new, toll-free media hotline at (866) 4-STAR-PR (866-478-2777) for photography or additional information.