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Westin Hotels Debuts in Abu Dhabi

The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa Marks the Launch of the Westin Brand in the Emirate

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates & WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 7, 2011-- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced the debut of The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa. Owned by the Tourism Development & Investment Company – the leading developer of cultural, residential and tourism destinations in Abu Dhabi – The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa marks the launch of the Westin brand in the emirate. The hotel features 172 premium guest rooms, several restaurants and lounges, a Heavenly Spa® by Westin and state-of-the-art meeting facilities.

The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa boasts a prime location along the fairways of the championship Abu Dhabi Golf Course, which underwent extensive upgrades in January 2011 and is managed by Troon Golf, the world-renowned luxury golf course management company. Additionally, the Westin is the only hotel in Abu Dhabi to offer sweeping views of the putting green from all guest rooms. Close to the heart of down town, the newly constructed hotel is just a ten-minute drive from the exhibition center and 20 minutes from the Corniche.

Roeland Vos, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa, and Middle East comments: “We are excited to introduce the Westin brand in Abu Dhabi in association with the Tourism Development & Investment Company and with this opening, we hope to elevate the emirate’s position as a leading tourism destination in the region. We believe that the hotel will be a leading wellness retreat in Abu Dhabi’s emerging centre.”

“Westin is enjoying phenomenal international growth, fueled by the success of our distinctive positioning,” said Brian Povinelli, global brand leader for Westin Hotels & Resorts. “We are proud to open this new hotel in Abu Dhabi, where we offer a respite from the rigors of travel with the help of our signature brand amenities, designed to send travelers home feeling better than when they arrived.”

“This is a momentous year for TDIC as we are achieving a number of significant delivery milestones, of which the Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa is one,” said Ali Al Hammadi, Executive Director of Project Services at TDIC. “We are delighted to collaborate with Starwood, with whom we are working very closely to build this landmark destination, and we are looking forward to a successful launch.”

The sensory-rich environment at Westin offers sets a welcoming tone. Upon entering the lobby, guests will begin to breathe more easily as they are greeted with soothing elements like relaxed lighting, natural botanical beauty and stimulating music. The hotel décor features neutral tones, water features and a mix of stone and wood elements. The Westin Heavenly Spa consists of six treatment rooms and an outdoor relaxation area in a tranquil garden setting. Guests can experience a range of Heavenly packages and specially-developed treatments targeted at golfers such as the “Golfer’s Recovery.”

Guestrooms, which include executive suites and a presidential suite, are all outfitted with the world-renowned Westin Heavenly Bed® featuring lush sheets, down cushioning and a patented pillow-top mattress, which cradles and contours to the body for complete comfort. Another industry first, the Heavenly Bath® creates an invigorating spa-like experience, enhanced with the brand’s Heavenly Shower® Heavenly® Robe and exclusive White Tea Aloe bath amenities. In-room, high-speed Internet access and an ergonomic work space will offer travelers convenience and productivity in a tranquil setting.

Other signature Westin amenities include the brand’s SuperfoodsRX menu designed to treat guests to exceptional food combinations rich in nutrients and antioxidants. Guests can also choose from 10 varieties of JING tea with recommendations from a tea sommelier at “The Lounge,” where they can enjoy sweeping views of the golf course. Other dining options include an all-day dining restaurant “Fairways,” a Moroccan restaurant “Agadir,” as well as an English-style bar, poolside restaurant and bar and cocktail lounge. The hotel also offers extensive meeting facilities comprised of three ballrooms, a conference center, board rooms, and a business center, as well as and catering for up to 400 people.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts currently operates nearly 50 hotels in the Middle East, including five hotels in Abu Dhabi. Westin has two additional properties in the Middle East – The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina in Dubai, and The Westin Jeddah in Saudi Arabia (currently closed for a complete renovation). The brand continues to grow its presence in the Middle East with nearly 25 new hotels slated to open in the next few years, including The Westin Saraya Aqaba in Jordan and The Westin Muscat in Oman.

Westin Hotels & Resorts, like all brands within Starwood’s robust portfolio, is proud to offer the Starwood Preferred Guest® program, which made headlines when it launched in 1999 with a breakthrough policy of no blackout dates on Free Night Awards. SPG® offers members the ability to redeem awards at more resorts, more luxury properties, more European hotels and more golf properties than any other hotel program.

About Tourism Development & Investment Company

Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) is Abu Dhabi’s leading tourism asset developer and the name behind some of the world’s most significant tourism projects. Its flagship development is Saadiyat Island, a 27-square kilometre natural island lying just 500 metres offshore Abu Dhabi city, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The island is being transformed into a signature leisure, cultural and residential destination. TDIC is also behind the unique Desert Islands project, one of the world’s largest sustainable island tourism destinations currently under development. TDIC’s activities include creating development and tourism related concepts for specific sites and locations, disposing of, or repositioning, government-owned tourism related assets, entering into joint ventures with investment partners for assets such as hotels or residential products, as well as serving as the master developer for large scale projects.

About Westin Hotels & Resorts

Westin Hotels & Resorts makes the healthiest choices irresistibly appealing, so guests leave feeling better than when they arrived. With more than 180 hotels and resorts in over 36 countries and territories, Westin is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Starwood Hotels is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1,071 properties in 100 countries and territories with approximately 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, Aloft^®, and Element ^SM. The company boasts one of the industry’s leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. 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.

Source: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Jenni Benzaquen, +32 2 204 5494
Director Public Relations,
Europe, Africa & Middle East
jenni.benzaquen@starwoodhotels.com

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