Ideally Located on the Waterfront of Abu Dhabi’s Corniche, The St. Regis Abu Dhabi Joins a Growing Portfolio of St. Regis Hotels in the Middle East

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) has extended its development pipeline in the Arabian Gulf with the announcement of a planned second St. Regis hotel in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Owned by International Capital Trading (ICT), The St. Regis Abu Dhabi will be located on the celebrated Abu Dhabi waterfront offering extensive views of the Gulf’s spectacular azure waters in a location that is both central to the business district and directly on the Corniche. Located just a short drive from the recently opened F1 circuit, Ferrari museum, Gary Player-designed golf course and the Louvre, Guggenheim and Maritime museums, The St. Regis Abu Dhabi will provide guests an entrance into a captivating world of opulence offering a unique expression of its location.

The St. Regis Abu Dhabi will be located on the Corniche in downtown Abu Dhabi as part of Nation Towers, the iconic two-tower mixed-use development. Located at the top of one tower beginning at the 33rd floor, the hotel will feature 281 luxuriously appointed guest rooms, including 56 suites, signature restaurants, a destination bar, sky bridge restaurant, more than 4,800 square metres of ultra modern meeting and event space and over 3,000 square metres of dedicated health club facilities, including an outdoor swimming pool. Guests will also enjoy a beach club adjacent to the hotel, which will be operated by Starwood.

“We are proud to increase St. Regis’ presence in the Middle East with the signing of The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, offering the iconic luxury, unmatched privilege and bespoke services for which the St. Regis brand is renowned,” said Paul James, Global Brand Leader, St. Regis and The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts. “Truly one of the Gulf Region’s most desirable destinations, Abu Dhabi offers our guests a unique mix of world-class cultural institutions, year-round recreation opportunities, specialty shopping, and cuisine at one of the best addresses in the world.”

“The announcement of our second St. Regis in Abu Dhabi is another sign of Starwood’s commitment to developing all nine of its brands in key Middle Eastern destinations,” said Roeland Vos, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Europe, Africa and Middle East. “We are honored to partner with ICT as we build on our existing footprint in Abu Dhabi with this prestigious addition to our portfolio of luxury hotels in the Middle East.”

Mr. Hamad Abdulla Al Shamsi, Chief Executive Officer of ICT said, “ICT is proud to partner with Starwood on this flagship development Nation Towers on the Corniche of Abu Dhabi. The signing marks another milestone for ICT who announced last year the award of the construction contract for the project. The combination of ICT’s prime location Nation Towers development together with the world class St. Regis brand will provide arguably a unique luxury hospitality experience in Abu Dhabi.”

Following in the tradition of the St. Regis brand’s legendary New York hotel, The St. Regis Abu Dhabi features the famed hallmarks of St. Regis hotels including the iconic St. Regis Butler Service, bespoke guest experiences and luxury accommodations tailored to global travelers. Trained in the English tradition, the butlers provide ever-present, yet unobtrusive service while anticipating guest needs and customizing each guest’s stay according to his or her specific tastes and preferences.

As the market leader in the Middle East, Starwood currently operates close to 50 hotels throughout the region with more than 20 projects currently in development.

About St. Regis Hotels & Resorts
Combining classic sophistication and modern luxury, the St. Regis brand remains faithful to its commitment to excellence. Founded by John Jacob Astor IV, with the opening of the first St. Regis hotel in New York City over a century ago, The St. Regis brand of hotels is known for its unique luxury, customized service and refined elegance in the best destinations worldwide. Plans for the brand to globally continue its legacy include long-awaited St. Regis properties in Bahia Beach, Puerto Rico and Bal Harbour. In Latin America, the St. Regis brand will unveil new hotels and resorts in Buenos Aires, and the Riviera Maya. In Asia, the St. Regis brand has also announced plans to open properties in Bangkok, Chengdu, Kuala Lumpur, Lhasa, Nanjing, Osaka, Sanya Yalong Bay and Tianjin. In Africa and the Middle East, the St. Regis brand will continue to expand in Abu Dhabi, Cairo, Doha and Mauritius. The distinctive trait of the St. Regis experience is customized service and attention, coveted locations and luxurious design. For more information on St. Regis Hotels & Resorts please visit the new www.stregis.com.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1000 properties in nearly 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(R), The Luxury Collection(R), W(R), Westin(R), Le Méridien(R), Sheraton(R), Four Points(R) by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft(R), and ElementSM. 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 www.starwoodhotels.com.

About International Capital Trading
ICT is a private investment company based in Abu Dhabi. Its business activities include owning, developing and managing real estate as well as investing in a wide range of asset classes, ranging from equities and funds to direct investments and real estate.

For additional information please visit www.ict.ae.

Grosvenor House Dubai Offers Panoramic Sea Views, 12 World Class Restaurants and Lounges and Two Michelin Starred Chefs in one of the World’s Most Unique and Exceptional Destinations

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. today announced the debut of its renowned Luxury Collection brand in the United Arab Emirates with the addition of Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai. Located on the exclusive Dubai Marina, the prestigious 45-story Grosvenor House hotel first opened its doors in 2005 and quickly became one of the world’s most acclaimed hotels.

Custom-designed to celebrate the essence of Dubai, the hotel seamlessly blends exquisite Arabian décor with contemporary sophistication. Offering the latest innovations in technology and design, Grosvenor House features 422 luxuriously appointed guest rooms, suites and apartment suites, world class cuisine, a state-of-the-art fitness facility and spa, business areas equipped with cutting-edge technology and unparalleled premium service with butlers on call 24 hours a day.

“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. “Celebrated for its exceptional location, luxury amenities and breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf, Grosvenor House adds another jewel to The Luxury Collection portfolio.”

Originated in 1906 under the CIGA brand as a collection of Europe’s most iconic hotels, today The Luxury Collection is a glittering ensemble of more than 75 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in more than 30 countries across the globe including Hotel Danieli, Venice; Hotel Imperial, Vienna; Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens; Patios de Cafayate, Argentina; SLS at Beverly Hills and The Phoenician, Scottsdale.

“We are excited to bring the promise of The Luxury Collection brand to the United Arab Emirates with the debut of Grosvenor House, Dubai. This hotel is a true expression of its destination, making it the perfect addition to The Luxury Collection,” says Roeland Vos, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa & Middle East. “The property’s sought-after location, impeccable service and sumptuous interior will ensure a unique and enriching experience for all our guests.”

Grosvenor House, Dubai also provides guests with an exceptional choice of dining experiences with 12 different world-class restaurants and bars to choose from. These include Rhodes Mezzanine, which offers signature modern British cuisine with French flair from Michelin starred celebrity chef Gary Rhodes. The menu includes dishes such as White Tomato Soup and the British favourite Bread and Butter Pudding. The hotel also offers the equally esteemed modern Indian restaurant Indego by Michelin-starred chef Vineet Bhatia, who is renowned for his Home-smoked Tandoori Salmon. In addition, Grosvenor House is home to Dubai’s only Buddha Bar, the world famous bar and restaurant with outlets in Paris, London and New York, which is known for its unique food and eclectic atmosphere.

The number of rooms at Grosvenor House, Dubai will almost double next year when a second, identical tower opens. The second tower will add a total of 323 rooms, suites and apartment suites to the hotel’s inventory providing even more style and unparalleled service for global explorers to discover.

About The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts
The Luxury Collection(R) is an ensemble 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. Originated in 1906 under the CIGA brand as a collection of Europe’s most celebrated and iconic properties, today The Luxury Collection brand is a glittering ensemble of more than 75 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 properties that continuously exceed guest expectations by offering unparalleled service, style and class while celebrating each hotel’s distinctive heritage and unique character. All of these hotels, many of them centuries old, are internationally recognized as being among the world’s finest. For more information, please visit www.luxurycollection.com.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 982 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, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis(R), The Luxury Collection(R), W(R), Westin(R), Le Méridien(R), Sheraton(R), Four Points(R) by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft(R), and ElementSM. 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 www.starwoodhotels.com.

Aloft Abu Dhabi Introduces Style At A Steal In The Capital Of The United Arab Emirates

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.® (NYSE:HOT) and its new destination sensation brand, Aloft® Hotels, today announce the opening of Aloft Abu Dhabi, the first Aloft to open in the Middle East and the second Aloft to open outside of North America.

Ten years after Starwood Hotels & Resorts shook up the hotel industry with the launch of W Hotels, the innovative hotel giant has again reinvented hotel design with the debut of its newest brand, Aloft Hotels. Featuring loft-like guest rooms, a buzzing bar scene in the open lobby, an urban-inspired grab-and go café and industrial design elements throughout, Aloft delivers urban-influenced, modern and vibrant design and an energetic guest experience at an affordable price point.

The debut of Aloft Abu Dhabi highlights the strategic international expansion of the Aloft brand. After opening its first hotel in June 2008 in Canada, Aloft has since grown to nearly 40 hotels strong in three countries – the United States, China and Canada – with the United Arab Emirates marking its fourth. And looking ahead to 2010, Aloft will continue its global growth with slated debut openings in Belgium, India and Thailand. Aloft Abu Dhabi is also the first of two Aloft hotels coming to the Middle East in the next two years, with the Aloft Riyadh scheduled for a 2011 opening.

“The meaningful growth of Aloft in key markets such as the Middle East underscores the strength of the Starwood network and the strength of Starwood’s global relationships with experienced hotel developers,” said Simon Turner, President, Global Development for Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “The Aloft brand’s emphasis on high design and affordability translates globally and is attracting a growing group of developers and travelers who are very enthusiastic consumers of our global, high-caliber brands. In fact, Aloft represents one of the strongest brand launches in industry history, and its international expansion so early in the brand’s life cycle is unprecedented.”

Aloft Abu Dhabi introduces style at a steal to the region with 408 spacious, loft-like rooms, accessible technology and a vibrant, social atmosphere. A Vision of W Hotels, Aloft’s loft-inspired design, accessible technology and a stylish urban attitude arrives on the scene in the Middle East. Aloft offers atmospheric public spaces where guests can mix and mingle, read the paper, work on laptops, play a game of pool or grab a drink with friends at the re:mixSM communal lobby area and w xyzSM bar. The re:chargeSM fitness center and splash pool give travelers options to de-stress and re-energize, or enjoy a meal at Dine, the hotel’s main restaurant with live-cooked international-style cuisine. Feel the buzz of our open kitchen and boost your energy at Dine. re:fuel by Aloft is a one-stop, 24-hour grab & go food and beverage area, offering sweet, savory and healthy food, snacks and beverages. Or visit relax@12, an indoor/outdoor lounge where guests can find oriental bites, yummy tapas and a sassy sushi selection. The re:charge fitness centre and splash, the outdoor pool, give guests options to de-stress and re-energize. Maï Café, the ultimate chill-out spot on the fifth floor, offers exciting international flavours, oversized beach chairs and unique custom cocktails, complimented by our eclectic mix of laid-back tunes and sunny grooves.

“We are thrilled to introduce Aloft to Abu Dhabi, a fitting choice for the brand’s debut in the Middle East,” said Brian McGuinness, Starwood’s Senior Vice President and Global Brand Leader, Specialty Select Brands. “The hotel’s strategic location in the hub of the capital city makes a bold statement about how the brand is taking its innovative, fresh perspective on hotels to the most desirable locations around the world.”

First time visitors to Aloft will immediately understand that Aloft is different from any other hotel experience. Guests are greeted by special features and visually distinctive iconic structures on the exterior, including a colorful, sloping signature carport cover and building roof-line, and colorful glowing linear light sources on the building facade inspired by the notion of travel and motion.

Aloft guest rooms feature the brand’s signature ceilings of nearly three meters high, oversized windows and an ultra-comfortable bed, as well as roomy walk-in showers and bath amenities created by Bliss® Spa. Each Aloft room is equipped with complimentary wireless Internet access and a one-stop connectivity solution for multiple electronic gadgetry all linked to a 42” flat-panel, HDTV-ready television making it a combination high-tech office and entertainment center in one.

The new hotel is linked directly to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition, Centre (ADNEC), the Gulf’s largest exhibition centre which is at the heart of the Capital Centre district, a micro-city consisting of premium office towers, luxury hotels and residences, restaurants, shopping and a marina. The hotel will even provide guests direct access to the soon-to-open Re:lax@12 rooftop bar, Mai Restaurant & Bar and Dine Restaurant – all located on site. Ideally positioned right next to the Capital Centre district, Aloft Abu Dhabi is close to numerous embassies and corporate offices, 20 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi and 15 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport.

About Aloft Hotels
Created to shake up the staid, traditional select service segment of the hotel industry, Aloft delivers urban-influenced, open and vibrant design and a social guest experience at an affordable price point. In the same way that W Hotels broke through the clutter of conformity in the upscale hotel arena a decade ago, Aloft is shaking up the industry for the next generation of traveler. Aloft hotels are geared toward savvy, design-conscious consumers who grew up with the democratization of design. Aloft hotels are wired for the future and an aggressive growth plan is in place with 40 properties set to be open by the end of this year from Abu Dhabi and Baltimore to Dallas and Beijing and everywhere in between. For more information, please visit www.alofthotels.com.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 982 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®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, 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 www.starwoodhotels.com.

About Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC)
Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) is a strategic international venue development and management company. ADNEC’s venue portfolio includes one of the most modern exhibition centers in the world – the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, and the UK capital’s largest exhibition and conference venue, ExCeL London. ADNEC is creating unique business districts to serve Abu Dhabi’s rapid expansion and emergence on the global stage. Development projects surrounding the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre include Capital Centre (a mixed-use development of 23 hotel, residential, commercial and mixed-use towers adjacent to the exhibition centre), Capital Gate (an iconic 35 storey gravity defying feature tower, featuring the 5-star hotel – ‘Hyatt at Capital Centre’), the Aloft Hotel and a 2.4km Marina zone on Al Bateen Channel opposite to the exhibition centre. In addition, ADNEC is expanding within the region, with The Al Ain Convention Centre, a residential and business micro city around a state-of-the-art convention centre.

Hilton Leads the Way in Brand Awareness and Customer Usage in Annual Maktoob Research Travel Monitor

Hilton Hotels has been voted the most recognized hotel brand in both the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) according to the 2009 Maktoob Research Travel Monitor. The annual syndicated study on travel trends and preferences tracks performance of the major players in the UAE and KSA hospitality and airline industries by canvassing and assessing opinions of frequent travelers from the two countries.

Hilton emerged as a front runner in brand awareness in the UAE and KSA at 73 per cent improving on last year’s performance by 11 percent and 7 percent respectively. The Hilton brand also performed well on the usage index with 18 percent of respondents in the UAE, and 15 percent in the KSA preferring a Hilton stay over those of most other brands. The study also showed the brand is likely to maintain its substantial market share, with 23 percent of respondents from both markets intending to stay at a Hilton hotel next year. “In world-class and fiercely competitive markets like the UAE and the KSA, meeting customer expectations involves investment in the human component and image, as much as facilities. The fact that the Hilton brand not only topped our study in consumer brand awareness, but showed substantial gains over last year’s study, truly demonstrates that it is heading in the right direction when it comes to customer satisfaction,” said Tamara Deprez, General Manager, Maktoob Research.

The study also assessed hotel websites; online guest services and facility information; customer service contact, tax and fare displays; online reservation facilities; ease of navigation and payment options among other criteria. Hilton’s scores improved significantly over last year’s and the brand scored an average of 8.2 out of 10 across all areas.

Customer perception of Hilton was particularly high in the KSA where Hilton topped the list in overall customer satisfaction for the third consecutive year. The brand also recorded high scores in efficiency, ambience, quality of service, hotel staff, quality of guest rooms and facilities, food and beverage outlets and language skills of hotel staff.

“We are delighted that the Maktoob Research Travel Monitor results validate Hilton’s belief that impeccable service quality and a strong operation are the keys to a satisfactory stay. We also aim to enrich the guest experience by acting as a conduit between local culture and the guest, lending that extra personal touch, and in turn promoting repeat visits and loyal customers,’ said Essam Abouda, Vice President, Operations, Hilton Hotels, Arabian Peninsula & Indian Ocean.

The Maktoob Research Travel Monitor study was conducted to analyze the changing travel preferences and requirements of the modern traveler. The data aims to provide objective inferences on the standing of the various travel industry players in the KSA and UAE, and marks areas of excellence and those that require improvement. The 2009 study polled 594 respondents in the UAE and 533 respondents in the KSA.

2-2-2 Hilton Hotels Voted Most Recognized Hotel Brand in UAE and KSA

Hilton Hotels operates nine hotels in UAE and six hotels in KSA. The brand offers hotels in more countries than any other full service brand. Hilton Hotels currently welcomes travelers in more than 500 hotels and resorts in 76 countries and plans to serve 78 countries by the end of 2009.

About Hilton Hotels
Hilton Hotels is the stylish, forward-thinking global leader of hospitality that welcomes guests in more countries than any other full-service hotel brand. The Hilton brand currently includes more than 500 hotels and resorts in 76 countries, and plans to serve travellers in 78 countries by the end of 2009. By offering innovative products, services and amenities, Hilton enables travellers to be at their best 24/7, whether travelling for business or leisure. Start your journey at www.hilton.com.