Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced today that it will manage and "flag" The St. Regis Hotel and Residences, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, increasing the number of St. Regis hotels worldwide to ten. The announcement was made today by Starwood in conjunction with Castillo Grand, LLC, a Fort Lauderdale-based real estate development company. It is the first St. Regis Hotel to be built in the Eastern United States since the legendary flagship St. Regis Hotel in New York City opened its doors in 1904. The hotel is set to open in 2002.

The new hotel, which will cost an estimated $160 million, will be located on the beach front between the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway, uniquely set to allow guests to access both the beach on the Atlantic Ocean and a marina and yacht club on the Intracoastal Waterway. Construction of the hotel and residences will commence this fall and completion is expected in 2002.

The St. Regis Hotel and Residences, Fort Lauderdale is a "first" of many kinds. It is the first St. Regis Hotel to be built in the Eastern United States since the flagship St. Regis Hotel opened in New York City in 1904 by Colonel John Jacob Astor; it is the first St. Regis hotel in Florida; and, it is also the first St. Regis hotel to feature exclusive condominium residences.

Following in the tradition of the legendary New York hotel, The St. Regis Hotel and Residences, Fort Lauderdale, will feature the benchmarks of St. Regis hotels - butler service and superior accommodations for world-class travelers. "With the current resurgence in South Florida real estate development, in particular the renaissance and rebirth of South Beach, Miami and more recently Fort Lauderdale, the location of our new hotel made for an ideal choice," stated Richard Cotter, Managing Director and Vice President, St. Regis Hotels, North America.

Cotter added, "The expansion into South Florida's Gold Coast comes at a most opportune time and we feel that the area will become a prime destination spot for our clientele who seek the ultimate in superior quality and service."

With the announcement of The St. Regis Hotel and Residences, Fort Lauderdale, there are now ten St. Regis hotels, all named for the 1904 landmark hotel in New York City. The legendary flagship is consistently ranked as one of the world's finest. There also are St. Regis hotels in Aspen, Beijing, Houston, Rome and Washington, DC The St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, California is scheduled to open in summer, 2001 and The St. Regis Shanghai is scheduled for completion in July 2001. Each is unique to its surroundings, and each offers guests a high level of customized service.

According to John McDonald, managing partner of Castillo Grand, LLC, developers of the property, "From its very inception, this property was designed and programmed to be a five-star experience. As a St. Regis hotel, its place in the international luxury hotel market will be guaranteed."

The hotel and residences, designed by world-renowned architectural firm, Arquitectonica, feature a 23-story tiered tower set on an expansively landscaped podium with a 22,000 square foot pool deck and accompanying cabanas and amenities. A curvilinear colonnade faces the Atlantic Ocean with elevated air-conditioned access to the beach.

The hotel will have 234 guest rooms and suites with an additional 20 private club units and 29 penthouse residences in the tower. A unique featurer of The St. Regis Hotel and Residences, Fort Lauderdale is that all residents will be able to take advantage of the total amenities offered at the hotel, including 24-hour room service, professionally-trained and accredited concierge, butler, maid and other personal services. The will also have access to the full-service business center open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.. Valets, transportation, marina services and facilities will also be available.

The St. Regis Hotel and Residences, Fort Lauderdale will feature a gourmet restaurant, outdoor oceanfront cafe, bar and lounges, a 14,000 square foot two-story European-style spa with separate facilities for men and women. A 12,000 square foot ballroom overlooking the ocean and other space that is flexible and can accommodate local, national and international events.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts 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 and W brands, as well as Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. More information is available from the company's web site: www.starwoodhotels.com

Melissa Henninger
914-640-5268;
Starwood