WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.  – April 29, 2010 – Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), today announces the launch of SPG Free Weekends , giving travelers the opportunity to earn a Free Weekend Night Award for every three stays at a Starwood property.

Both new and existing Starwood Preferred Guest® members who stay three times between May 1 and July 31 will earn a free weekend night. There are no limits to how many free nights can be earned and awards can be combined to make a longer weekend stay.

SPG members can redeem their Free Weekend Night Awards between May 7 and December 19, 2010 on any Friday, Saturday and/or Sunday at more than 920 Starwood properties across all nine of its distinct global brands including W, St. Regis, Aloft, Westin and Sheraton. The SPG signature no-blackout policy applies to this promotion: if a standard room is available, it’s yours.

“ SPG Free Weekends is just another example of a value-rich promotion that resonates with our most loyal guests, inviting them to unwind and relax at one of our many high-caliber hotels and resorts across the globe,” said Chris Holdren, Senior Vice President of SPG. “One of the many reasons travelers choose Starwood is because of the many benefits and awards we offer, all designed to help them enjoy quality time with family and friends.”

Last year, members redeemed their SPG Free Weekends awards at some of Starwood’s finest properties across the globe including The Westin Paris, W Hong Kong, The St. Regis Monarch Beach and Le Parker Méridien New York. Some even earned enough nights to get away for free every weekend for an entire month in the summer.

Current SPG members, as well as travelers who have not yet joined the ranks of SPG can find out more information and register for the promotion between May 1 and June 30 at spg.com/freeweekends .

About Starwood Preferred Guest®
The SPG® program’s breakthrough policy of No Blackout Dates at the world’s most sought after collection of hotels, reinvented the hospitality loyalty program when it launched in 1999.  By creating a program centered on its members, SPG has developed the most passionate and knowledgeable membership base in the hotel loyalty space. Through its use of new technologies and innovative channels such as SPG.com, SPG.com/stayconnected, SPG.com/flights, thelobby.com and others, SPG continues to innovate and lead the industry. By offering No Blackouts on standard rooms at 940 participating properties, No Blackouts on hundreds of airlines, and once in a lifetime experiences available through SPG Moments at spg.com/moments, the program has proven to be a big draw for the world’s most frequent travelers, and a significant competitive advantage for Starwood.   For more information about Starwood Preferred Guest please visit SPG.com or call (877) – STARWOOD.  For more information and the terms and conditions of SPG Free Weekends, please visit spg.com/freeweekends .

About Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels and 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®, 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 www.starwoodhotels.com.