Sheraton Poised to Double its Footprint in India by 2012

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(News Source: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide)

(SINGAPORE) -- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc (NYSE: HOT) continues its expansion in India and Asia Pacific, today announcing an  agreement with Joy Hotel and Resorts Private Limited to manage the Sheraton Chandigarh Hotel.  Scheduled to open in 2012, the new-build Sheraton underscores the brand's steady and strategic growth in India where there are currently four Sheraton hotels open, with plans to double the brand's footprint in the next three years.
 
Sheraton, Starwood's largest and most global brand, is actively expanding its portfolio in key markets across the globe. Last year, the brand added 26 best-in-class hotels to its portfolio, and this year expects to open 18 hotels.  In 2009, new properties are slated to debut in high profile destinations like Nha Trang, Vietnam; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Guangzhou, China; Yilan, Taiwan; Istanbul, Turkey; and Brooklyn, New York.

"Known as 'The Beautiful City,' Chandigarh has established itself as the commercial hub of North India and is rapidly emerging as a leading information technology center," said Don Elliott, Regional Vice President for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. in India, Bangladesh and Nepal. "The exceptional urban infrastructure and relatively limited supply of international hotel brands in the area represent great opportunities for us."

"Sheraton remains a favorite among international travelers, who are proving to be quite loyal to the brands they know in trust, especially in tough economic times," said Miguel Ko, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific.  "The demand for Starwood's high-caliber, lifestyle brands remains strong in both established and emerging markets across India and throughout Asia Pacific, and we look forward to working in partnership with Joy Hotel and Resorts Private Limited to introduce the Sheraton brand to Chandigarh."
 
Sheraton Chandigarh Hotel will be centrally located in a commercial area of Chandigarh and will be easily accessible from the city airport and Central Business District.  The hotel will offer 177 rooms, five restaurants, a health club, a full-service Nectar Spa, swimming pool, business center and more than 15,000 square feet of meeting space.  The hotel will also feature "Link@SheratonSM experienced with Microsoft", a unique lobby lounge that is both a physical and a virtual space where guests can socialize, work and stay connected by using complimentary Wi-Fi and Internet-enabled computer stations. video-chats, televisions and daily newspapers.

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