WHITE PLAINS, NY- JULY 16, 2007- Starwood Hotel & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) and the Soleil Group announce the beginning of construction on the Westin Raleigh Hotel & Residences at Soleil Center in Raleigh, North Carolina — an eye-catching, modern landmark and sophisticated lifestyle center. The property, which is owned and managed by the Soleil Group and its affiliates, marks the introduction of the Westin brand to Raleigh.

Expected to open in the summer of 2009, The Westin Raleigh Hotel & Residences at Soleil Center will offer luxurious accommodations and a sensory-rich environment designed to create an oasis of effortless style, efficient service and complete serenity. Designed by visionary architect, Ralph Johnson, the iconic property will include a 290-room luxury hotel and 54 elegant residences.

Soaring 43 stories above the heart of Raleigh's new Midtown, The Westin Raleigh Hotel & Residences at Soleil Center will provide breathtaking views of a bustling city known for its prestigious universities, thriving biotechnology sector and proximity to Research Triangle Park, home to many prominent high-tech research and development centers. Guests and residents will enjoy convenient access to cultural events, fine dining, and shopping at the fashionable Crabtree Valley Mall. Also nearby are the RDU International Airport, the North Carolina Museum of Art, and RBC Center — home of the 2006 NHL Champions Carolina Hurricanes.

We are excited to announce the ground breaking of this iconic project," said Dicky Walia and Sanjay Mundra, partners of the Soleil Group, developers and owners of the project. "The Westin Raleigh Soleil Center brings to the area tremendous value, luxury and prestige - qualities that are synonymous with the Westin name. The amenity-driven brand has an international vision for high quality, and that concept will be reflected in the Westin Raleigh Soleil Center."

In the lobby, the Westin Sensory Welcome will evoke a sense of tranquility and well-being by weaving together white tea scent, music and mood lighting. In their rooms, hotel guests will refresh in the Heavenly Bath® and restore in the Heavenly Bed®, a custom ensemble featuring a pillow-top mattress set, a cozy down blanket, three crisp sheets, a comforter, duvet and five plush pillows. A wide variety of in-room spa treatments and the Heavenly Spa® by Westin will help restore harmony to mind and body.

The luxury condominiums will comprise the top twenty floors of the Soleil Center, offering a choice of one-third floor, one-half floor or full-floor residences. Hotel guests and condo residents will have access to concierge services, valet, chauffeur services, housekeeping, in-residence dining, a 16th floor indoor pool, and preferred access to the spa and the Westin Workout ® Powered by Reebok fitness center. Hotel guests, residents and locals will also have access to the sky lobby, spa, signature restaurant, lounge, and the roof-top terrace garden.

The Westin Raleigh Soleil Center Hotel & Residences is an ideal location for both business meetings and social functions, offering more than 30,000 square feet of meeting space including a grand ballroom and eight meeting rooms.

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 870 properties in more than 95 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 Aloft^SM and Element^SM 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 www.starwoodhotels.com

(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.)

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