Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced plans to

introduce its trailblazing, eco-wise Element brand to Fargo, North Dakota. Element Fargo is scheduled to open in November 2015 in the bustling Veterans Boulevard Corridor. Owned by StaySharpe Hotels, the new Element hotel is built green from the ground up, offering a smart, new lodging option for travelers with 130 bright, stylish rooms and an atmosphere designed to fuel a life in balance and on the move.

Element Fargo will be ideally located across the street from the site of the new $500

million Sanford Fargo Medical Center now under development, and just ten minutes from Microsoft Corporation's second largest campus in North America. The hotel will also be convenient to Fargodome, home of the two-time defending FCS championship team, the North Dakota State Bison. Situated on the southeast corner of North Dakota, Fargo is part of the Fargo/Moorhead metropolitan area, which is experiencing rapid growth driven by the financial, software and energy sectors.

"Element Fargo will offer a fresh new option for travelers who want to maintain a

balanced lifestyle when away from home whether for a few days or a few weeks and help meet the demand for high-caliber lodging in this fast-growing area," said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President of Specialty Select Brands for Starwood. "Popular among both business and leisure travelers, the Element brand offers guests a bright, energizing environment that's conducive to both work and play."

Element Fargo will boast light-filled studios as well as one bedroom suites featuring a

fluid design of modular furniture, swiveling flat-screen televisions, large desks with open shelving and custom-designed closets. Bathrooms will be spa-inspired, with an invigorating rain shower and dual-flush toilet. Rooms will also offer fully equipped kitchens and the signature Heavenly® Bed. Other brand signatures will include a state- of-the-art, 24-hour fitness center, an indoor saline swimming pool, and a 453 square- foot meeting room with modular furnishings, a flexible layout and state-of-the-art technology that can be customized to meet any business or social needs.

"Element Hotels is attracting a loyal following of travelers who share the brand's passion

for modern design and sustainable living," said Allison Reid, Senior Vice President of North America Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. "The brand, which pioneered smart, eco-friendly design and has reimagined the extended stay guest experience, is poised for continued growth."

Element Fargo offers additional ways for guests to live healthfully on the road like

complimentary signature RISE breakfast and RELAX evening receptions featuring savory food and beverage pairings, plus bikes to borrow and backyard BBQs.

Element is the first major hotel brand to mandate that all properties pursue the U.S.

Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for high-performance buildings. It's recognized as an industry leader in the eco-space, and offers travelers a fresh, reimagined interpretation of the extended stay hotel experience. Every aspect of the brand is designed to fuel a life in balance and on the move.

About Element Hotels

Element® Hotels is made to order for guests in the know and on the go. Its bright

design defies convention, bathing guest rooms and public spaces in natural light. Stylish and sustainable throughout, Element offers extended stay comfort with a conscience and lots of signature amenities from its healthy RISE breakfast and RELAX evening reception to saline swimming pools, spacious fitness centers, bikes to borrow and electric vehicle charging stations. Starwood's latest brand innovation, Element made history in 2008 as the only major hotel brand to pursue LEED certification for high- performance buildings brand-wide. To date, there are Element hotels in 11 U.S. markets, and Canada, with new domestic and international hotels in development. Visit www.ElementHotels.com or connect on Facebook and Twitter.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels &

Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 1,300 properties in some 100 countries and approximately 188,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences under the renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®,Tribute Portfolio™, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, and Element®, along with an expanded partnership withDesign Hotels™. The company also boasts one of the industry’s leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG®). Visit www.starwoodhotels.com for more information and stay connected @starwoodbuzz on Twitterand Instagram and facebook.com/Starwood.