China, India and Middle East Experiencing Explosive Growth

Starwood continues to grow at a breathtaking rate in Asia Pacific, with plans to increase its portfolio by more than 70% this year. Fueling this growth spurt is Starwood's remarkable pace in China, driven by the surge in development of Starwood's select service brands and the increased exposure of the company's upper upscale and luxury brands in the region.

Of Starwood's 70 hotels under development in Asia Pacific, more than half are in China, where it's expected to double its portfolio by 2011. The Sheraton and Four Points by Sheraton brands lead the growth in this region. In addition to the 36 hotels Starwood currently operates in China, Starwood has more than 40 new properties waiting to open.

Starwood is also experiencing prolific growth in India. Building on its current portfolio of 20 properties, Starwood has 10 more waiting to open in vibrant technology hubs such as Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai and Bangalore. Westin and Aloft are particularly hot in India right now - in the past few months, Westin signed deals for five new properties, and Aloft executed deals for three new properties.

Europe, the Middle East and Africa will continue to experience significant growth with over ten new hotels expected to open this year and close to 50 scheduled to open by 2012. More specifically, Starwood is expanding in key Middle Eastern markets such as UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar, where currently there are 20 operating hotels and another ten in the pipeline.

Starwood expects steady growth in underpenetrated markets this year in North America, with over 50 new properties expected to open. Contributing to Starwood's robust expansion in the United States and Canada is the upcoming opening of the first Aloft and Element hotels.

Starwood, however, continues to enjoy strong growth in its existing core brands, with Westin, Sheraton and W making up over half of the North American pipeline. In Latin America, Starwood's portfolio consists of 53 properties, and the company expects to add eight more this year in the region.

Starwood Leads Luxury Brand Segment

Boasting the world's largest and fastest-growing portfolio of luxury hotels, Starwood leads the luxury brand segment with one of the hottest pipelines in the industry, including 50 properties awaiting opening. W hotels marks a growth milestone in 2008 with agreements in place to triple its portfolio to more than 60 exciting locations around the world.

Beginning as a North American urban brand just ten years ago, W has transformed into a global lifestyle authority with hotels, residences and retreats in the world's most exhilarating urban and resort destinations from Verbier to Vieques, South Beach to St. Petersburg, and Atlanta to Athens. Embraced by the development community, W Hotels represents the ultimate expression of contemporary luxury and is like no other product in the markets where it is now opening hotels.

Recognized around the world for its emphasis on traditional luxury, the St. Regis brand starts the year with a record pipeline and plans to expand its footprint in both urban and emerging destinations with new properties expected to open in Mardavall, Bali, Mexico City and Punta Mita.

Bringing guests the best in indigenous luxury, The Luxury Collection brand offers the second largest collection of luxury hotels in the world. Aligning its one-of-a-kind properties with the power of the Starwood system, The Luxury Collection offers unique, authentic experiences tailor-made for the global explorer in the world's best hotels, palaces and castles. The prestigious brand expects to open new properties this year in markets including Washington, D.C., Mauritius, Beverly Hills and Portugal.