Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT), announced the signing of a management agreement with “Grupo Hotelera Aguas Verdes S.A.” to manage the Villarrica Park Lake Hotel & Spa under The Luxury Collection brand. The property will undergo renovations to its rooms and spacious suites and will become a part of The Luxury Collection’s exclusive portfolio in December of 2010.

Villarrica Park Lake Hotel & Spa is ideally situated in the Araucanía region 435 miles south of Santiago, surrounded by lakes, volcanoes and mountains. Guests can easily arrive by car, or by plane at the Temuco Airport. The Villarrica and nearby Pucón areas are renowned for their unique natural environment, characterized by snow capped volcanoes, crystal clear lakes and rivers, thermal baths, ski centers and vast national parks. Additionally, the area features the archeological remains of the Spanish colonial period blended with the influence of the “Mapuche” Indigenous culture, Chile’s first inhabitants.

Built in 2002, Villarrica Park Lake Hotel & Spa is surrounded by stunning landscapes and vegetation and has spectacular panoramic views from every one of its 70 rooms and suites. The hotel offers spacious meeting rooms for events, conventions or incentive groups, with state of the art technology and access to its 24-hour business center. The hotel was recently named “Best South America Resort--2010” by World Travel Awards.

“We are excited to strengthen our presence in Chile, one of the Latin American fastest growing economies,” said Osvaldo Librizzi, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Latin America. “We are proud to welcome international travelers to our second Luxury Collection Hotel in Chile, joining the San Cristobal Tower Hotel in Santiago. Our guests already trust The Luxury Collection for exceptional and highly personal luxury travel experiences.”

“The Luxury Collection is a portal to the world's most enriching and desirable destinations, where nothing less than an exceptional level of service, perfect location and indigenous personal offerings will do,” said Paul James, Global Brand Leader, The Luxury Collection and St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. Villarrica Park Lake Hotel & Spa, with its unrivaled natural surroundings, will undoubtedly offer global travelers unique and spectacular experiences in one of South America’s most culturally diverse and vibrant destinations.”

“This is an enormous step in the history for our Company. Joining Starwood Hotel’s & Resorts’ acclaimed Luxury Collection brand will significantly increase the recognition of the Villarrica Park Lake Hotel as well as give broader international exposure to the uniqueness of the Aracucania Region located in southern Chile. Additionally, the renovations already underway in anticipation of joining the Luxury Collection Brand will allow us to even better deliver to all our guests the highest level of service which they have come to expect when visiting the hotel," said Tamara Kaufmann, Executive Director of Grupo Hotelera Aguas Verdes S.A.

Dining at any of the 3 restaurants featured at the Villarrica Park Lake Hotel & Spa indulges the senses with diverse menus ranging from modern interpretations of authentic Chilean cuisine to exceptional international dishes. The gourmet restaurant, “Aguas Verdes”, which offers it’s up to 120 guests a spectacular view of Lake Villarrica, serves both local and international cuisine delights.

The hotel’s bar lounge, and both swimming pools also directly look out onto the lake, inviting guests to further relax amidst breathtaking sunsets. Guests are invited to unwind at the hotel’s luxurious spa, featuring a variety of indigenous treatments, fully equipped sauna and steam room, as well as a fitness center and indoor/outdoor pools.

With the opening of the Villarrica Park Lake Hotel & Spa, Starwood Hotels & Resorts operates 7 hotels in Chile including the San Cristobal Tower, A Luxury Collection Hotel, W Santiago, Sheraton Santiago Hotel & Convention Center, Sheraton Miramar Hotel & Convention Center in Viña del Mar Four Points by Sheraton Santiago and Four Points by Sheraton Los Angeles. In Latin America, Starwood is proud to feature 11 stunning and unique Luxury Collection Hotels in Mexico, Argentina, Chile and Peru, among its 64 properties located in 12 Latin American countries.

About The Luxury Collection | The Luxury Collection® is a selection of hotels and resorts offering unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories. For the global explorer, The Luxury Collection offers a gateway to the world’s most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort is a unique and cherished expression of its location; a portal to the destination’s indigenous charms and treasures. Magnificent décor, spectacular settings, impeccable service and the latest modern conveniences combine to provide a uniquely enriching experience. Today, The Luxury Collection is a glittering ensemble of more than 70 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in more than 30 countries in bustling cities and spectacular destinations around the world. The Luxury Collection includes award-winning hotels that continuously exceed guest expectations by offering unparalleled service, style and class in some of the most desired destinations in the world. All of these hotels, many of them centuries old, are internationally recognized as being among the world’s finest. For more information, please visit

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. | Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1025 properties in 100 countries and territories with 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 .

Laura Canepa
(5411) 4318 9397
Starwood