Four Points by Sheraton Midtown-Times Square

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announces the debut of its Four Points by Sheraton brand in New York City’s Times Square. Owned by Times Square West, LLC, Four Points by Sheraton Midtown-Times Square occupies a prime location on 40th Street in the heart of the New York City’s Broadway theater district. The newly constructed, 244-room hotel is the brand’s third hotel to open in New York City and joins Four Points by Sheraton Manhattan SoHo Village and Four Points by Sheraton Manhattan Chelsea.

Four Points by Sheraton has stepped up its growth in New York City as part of the brand’s comprehensive global rejuvenation campaign. In the past five years, Starwood and its partners have invested more than $1 billion to reinvent Four Points by Sheraton resulting in a 70 percent turnover of the portfolio driven by major property renovations, conversions and new-build hotels. The brand also recently opened its first vacation resort hotel in Punta Gorda, Florida and launched its first prototype hotel in San Antonio, Texas.

“We are delighted to debut Four Points by Sheraton at the epicenter of New York City as a key part of our global growth and brand rejuvenation,” said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President, Specialty Select Brands for Starwood. “Our expansion in New York City also addresses the rising demand for affordable and stylish lodging in urban areas.”

Guests will be just steps from the best shows on Broadway, the site of the New Year’s Eve ball drop and all the vibrant, electronic billboards that have made Times Square one of the world’s most famous destinations. Also nearby are some of the city’s finest restaurants, a variety of shops, and the corporate offices of the New York Times, Condé Nast, Ernst & Young, as well as the studios for NBC and CBS. Guests will also enjoy easy access to many of New York City’s most well-known landmarks including the Empire State Building, Grand Central Station and Rockefeller Center.

The hotel’s spacious and comfortable guest rooms all feature the Four Points by Sheraton Four Comfort Bed, a luxurious ensemble including a plush mattress, an assortment of pillows, and a fresh, white duvet. In-room technology includes free high-speed Internet access, as well as 32-inch, flat-screen televisions.

About Times Square West, LLC

Times Square West, LLC, through the experience of its principals, has brought a third jewel into the Four Points by Sheraton family, the Four Points by Sheraton Midtown Times Square located at 326 West 40th street. This newest Four Points with its art deco inspired lobby design joins the other Four Points properties, (the Four Points by Sheraton Manhattan Chelsea, and the Four Points by Sheraton Manhattan SoHo), offering the best in design, location, service and affordable value for corporate and leisure travelers to Manhattan. Times Square West, LLC is founded by members of The Lam Group, a group of experienced developers with a common drive of making their collective mark in the ever changing New York City landscape.

About Four Points by Sheraton

Four Points by Sheraton, with 135 properties in 22 countries, offers the self-sufficient traveler a new kind of style and comfort combined with a spirited "can-do" service – all at an honest value. Four Points by Sheraton hotels are located in easy-to-reach areas – close to major airports, suburban centers, urban hot spots and resort and vacation destinations. Four Points Simple PleasuresSM program celebrates the little things in life that make a big difference in guests’ travel such as a great beer, a complimentary bottle of water, and a tasty treat at the end of a long day.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 960 properties in 97 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft®, and Element SM. 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.

Brad Minor (Starwood)
914 309-3392
Starwood