Element by Westin

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.| Travelers to Houston, Texas will soon awaken to a brand new outlook on extended stay travel. Today, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT), announced an agreement with Vintage Harris Hospitality, LP to open an ELEMENT hotel in Vintage Park, Houston’s newest upscale shopping center, in the Spring of 2009. Inspired by Westin Hotels & Resorts, ELEMENT Houston Vintage Park will offer a new extended stay experience that combines unique public spaces designed for socializing, modern amenities such as WiFi and eco-friendly design. After sampling the signature ELEMENT breakfast with choices ranging from one of a kind breakfast sandwiches to a cereal bar offering endless options, it’s no wonder guests will leave Houston’s newest hotel knowing what it truly means to wake up and thrive.

Awaken to Smart Design

The ELEMENT brand’s unique, smart design philosophy is evident from the moment guests arrive. After passing through a signature portal that provides a literal bridge to the ELEMENT interior haven, guests will be greeted with streams of natural light from a multi-storied window wall. The vitality of the lobby will be matched by the energy of the hotel’s outdoor fire pit and barbecue, where a regular nightly gathering will give guests an opportunity to interact, while sipping a glass of wine or draft microbrew beer.

“ELEMENT Houston Vintage Park’s intuitive design creates a haven for our guests to be at their best while away from home for longer periods of time,” said Brian McGuinness, Vice President of ELEMENT & ALOFT brands. “Whether they are visiting Houston for business or pleasure, we will give our guests endless opportunities to thrive while enjoying everything that this vibrant city has to offer.”

The smart design and clever use of space in the hotel’s 123 guest rooms will be aimed at encouraging guest productivity while also facilitating relaxation. ELEMENT Houston Vintage Park’s open, modular flow will blend together each part of the guestroom to create a residential feel. Guests will be able to customize their rooms to match their habits through multi-purpose, modular furniture, swiveling flat-screen televisions, large desks with open shelving and custom-designed closets. In addition, each room offers a complete kitchen that features modern, energy-star rated appliances and all the tools and utensils to prepare a gourmet meal. Guests will also rest soundly in the renowned Westin Heavenly Bed®, and recharge each morning in a sleek, contemporary bathrooms with oversized spa showers.

A Vital Travel Hub

Houston, the heart of Texas, is an ideal travel destination for everyone. The city is home to a thriving business community, a bustling art and theater district, famous events such as the annual Houston Rodeo and popular tourist destinations that includes Space Center Houston - the official visitors’ center of NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.

ELEMENT will be the latest addition to Vintage Park, Houston’s newest upscale lifestyle shopping destination, which will offer endless world-class dining and shopping experiences.

“Houston, being a natural place to thrive, is the perfect place for the ELEMENT brand,” said Billy Brown, President, Condor Hospitality, LLC. “With ELEMENT Houston Vintage Park we hope to bring a fresh outlook on extended stay travel to the area while showing our guests how easy it is for them to feel their best while on the road.”

Space to Live Your Life

A signature breakfast offering, fully equipped fitness center and uninterrupted indoor/outdoor public spaces will deliver a multi-functional, natural environment that provides guests with the space to work, relax or socialize. Intuitive staff will provide guests the personalized attention they need and the space they desire to live a complete and balanced life while at the hotel.

ELEMENT Houston Vintage Park will also feature over 800 square feet of meeting space, an integrated technology center and library, as well as café seating, a workspace and a flexible lobby lounge space. For breakfast, guests will be able to choose among several options, including its signature hot breakfast sandwich, fresh fruit and cereal bar.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc | Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 890 properties in more than 100 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, Sheraton®, Westin®, Four Points® by Sheraton, W®, Le Méridien® and the recently announced AloftSM and ElementSM Hotels. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit .

(Note: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities regulations. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and involve risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated at the time the forward-looking statements are made. These risks and uncertainties are presented in detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although we believe the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained or that results and events will not materially differ. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.)

Roxanne Rabasco
914-640-3687
Starwood