WHITE PLAINS, NY – September 30, 2010 – KT Tunstall, Zac Brown Band, James Blunt, Neon Trees, Joshua Radin and Crystal Bowersox will top the A-list roster headlining at the next edition of “Live in the Vineyard”, the exclusive Napa Valley live music showcase presented by Aloft Hotels that is open to contest winners only.  Special industry “insider” VIP’s will also have access to additional private events featuring Marc Broussard, Hope, Matt Hires and Natasha Bedingfield at winery events at Mondavi, the Napa Valley Wine Train, Merryvale, and Paraduxx Wineries.

Aloft Hotels is the style-at-a-steal brand from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., (NYSE:HOT) that’s rocked the hotel industry since launching in 2008. 

The Aloft brand recently became the first hotel brand to “break” a new recording artist with its Project: Aloft Star contest.  The winner of Project: Aloft Star, Adrian Bourgeois, will also debut at “Live in the Vineyard” this year.  And, Bourgeois will have the opportunity to rock Aloft hotels throughout the United States as part of an Aloft-sponsored tour.

“Our guests are constantly checking out what’s new, what’s next, and what’s different, and the ‘Live in the Vineyard’ events are a great way to plug them into a music experience that feels like no other,” said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President of Specialty Select Brands for Starwood.  “It’s also been exciting for us to see how much guests are seeking out live music experiences and the social scene at our w xyz bars.”

The upcoming edition of “Live in the Vineyard” takes place November 13 to 15, 2010.  Now in its third year, “Live in the Vineyard” (www.liveinthevineyard.com) is the brainchild of music-industry veterans Bobbii Hach-Jacobs and Claire Parr.  These private, “once-in-a-lifetime” acoustic pop/rock music concerts unfold amidst the lush scenery of boutique wineries in California’s Napa Valley every April and November. Superstar and emerging pop/rock artists are paired with intimate wine tastings and chef demonstrations to bring winners closer to these incredible artist experiences.  “Live in the Vineyard” has earned a passionate following by combining traditional music events with special food and wine interactions for a new lifestyle-driven experience.

Tickets for the “Live in the Vineyard” events are only available through special radio station promotions (featured on www.liveinthevineyard.com) and exclusive Aloft Hotels promotions, including a Facebook giveaway at www.facebook.com\alofthotels. Here’s how to win tickets: two lucky Aloft Facebook page fans will win a pair of VIP tickets to the weekend’s shows and activities.  Just stay tuned on Facebook; the first fan to answer posted questions will win the tickets!

Along with the April and November festivals, Aloft hotels also serve as venues for “Live in the Vineyard” artists who rock it up close and personal with hotel guests and local tastemakers through a series of live acoustic sets at Aloft properties across the country throughout the year.

Artists such as Brooke White, Ryan Star, Emerson Hart of Tonic and Green River Ordinance performed “Live at Aloft” events earlier this year.  Go to www.liveatalofthotels.com for frequent updates on confirmed shows at Aloft hotels.

About Aloft Hotels
Created to shake up the staid, traditional select service segment of the hotel industry, the Aloft brand delivers style at a steal with urban-influenced, modern, 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. With 40 hotels open in the 18 months since Aloft first arrived on the scene and 10 more opening in 2010, Aloft can be found everywhere from Abu Dhabi and Baltimore to Dallas and Beijing and everywhere in between.  For more information, please visit www.alofthotels.com.

Guests at Aloft can earn free nights at any Starwood Hotels & Resorts property – the world’s most sought-after collection of hotels – through the Preferred Guest loyalty program.  To learn more, visit www.spg.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 992 properties in nearly 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®, 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.