WHITE PLAINS, NY - September 17, 2007 - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) announced today that the company scored a 100 percent rating on the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) sixth annual Corporate Equality Index and is a recipient of the HRC “Best Places to Work” award. 

The Corporate Equality Index rates employers on a scale from 0 to 100 percent on their treatment of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees, consumers and investors. The 195 businesses that met all of the criteria this year employ more than 8.3 million workers. When the Index was first released in 2002, only 13 companies, employing 690,000 workers, received the top rating.

“Starwood is inspired by organizations like Human Rights Campaign that validate the importance of inclusion and respect as paramount to a 21st century business model,” said Shelley Freeman, Director, Global Diversity & Inclusion. “Our thanks to HRC for recognizing Starwood’s leadership for the second year in a row in the area of inclusion and to our associates who play a critical role in crafting work environments and guest experiences which demonstrate this commitment thereby earning Starwood a 100 percent score on this year’s Corporate Equality Index.”

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

“More businesses than ever before have recognized the value of a diverse and dedicated workforce,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “More importantly, these employers understand that discrimination against GLBT workers will ultimately hurt their ability to compete in the global marketplace.” 

About Starwood Hotels
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 890 properties in more than 100 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^®, W^®, Westin^®, Le Méridien^®, Sheraton^®, Four Points^® by Sheraton, Aloft^(SM), 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