Westin Resorts Caribbean Unveils Hurricane Guarantee.

Business Editors & Travel Writers

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 19, 2001

Westin Resorts Caribbean, which includes The Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort, Country Club & Ocean Villas in Puerto Rico and The Westin St. John Resort & Villas, has launched a new program which offers a guarantee against unpredictable Mother Nature.

The Hurricane Guarantee allows guests who stay from now through December 31, 2001 to be invited back to the same resort within one calendar year, free of charge, if a hurricane* hits the island of Puerto Rico, St. John or Grand Cayman and interrupts their vacation. "For example, if a seven-night stay is cut short after five nights, the guests are welcome back on a complimentary basis, within a year, for the full seven nights," said Bill Thompson, director of marketing for The Westin St. John Resort & Villas. This guarantee applies to room and applicable taxes only.**

Guests holding a confirmed reservation with a nonrefundable deposit who are unable to travel because of the closing of the destination airport or the resort due to a hurricane have the option of a full refund or a one-category room upgrade on the next visit taken within the next 12 months.

The policy also applies to all room rates as well as to promotions and packages. Commissions to travel professionals will be paid in full on the reservation interrupted by the hurricane. The Hurricane Guarantee is extended to groups when stipulated in their contracts.

For reservations and information, call Westin Resorts at 888-625-4949. Guests can reach The Westin Rio Mar Beach directly at [phone] or www.westinriomar.com. For The Westin Resort St. John call [phone] or visit www.westinresortstjohn.com.

* A hurricane is defined/validated by the National Hurricane Center.

It is typically a tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained

surface wind is 74 mph (64 knots) or greater.

** Reservations for comparable accommodations will be made on a

space-available basis. Black-out dates apply. Subject to change at

the discretion of the operator.

The 694-room Westin Rio Mar Beach sprawls across 500-acres and includes a one-mile secluded beach. The Ocean Villas at The Westin Rio Mar Beach opened in October 2000. The resort boasts two championship golf courses, a Peter Burwash Tennis Center, a spa, a fitness center, a full-service casino, four freeform pools, a waterslide, a basketball court, 12 dining and entertainment venues, shops, beach and water activities, and Club Iguana for kids.

The 285-room and 48-villa Westin St. John Resort & Villas, set on a crescent-shaped beach surrounded by 47 lush, tropical acres and tucked into the green hills of tranquil St. John. There are four dining and entertainment venues, The Spa at The Westin St. John Resort, six lighted tennis courts, beach and water activities, a fitness center, jeep rentals, and hiking in the Virgin Islands National Park. Golf is available on St. Thomas.

Westin Hotels & Resorts, with more than 120 hotels and resorts in 25 countries, is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT). 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. For more information, please visit us at www.starwoodhotels.com.

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