White Plains, NY, May 6, 2010 – In a strategic partnership that builds on Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.’s (NYSE: HOT) commitment to environmental stewardship, the global hospitality leader today announced an alliance with Conservation International (CI).   The Starwood – CI collaboration is focused on setting and achieving environmental performance goals and creating awareness around environmental issues.

In addition, Starwood’s CEO, Frits van Paasschen, recently joined the Executive Council of CI’s Center for Environmental Leadership in Business (CELB), a division dedicated to engaging corporate and environmental leaders to develop creative solutions that improve business performance by helping to sustain healthy ecosystems.

“As a multinational company with 1,000 hotels in almost 100 countries, Starwood has the size, the scope and the spirit to positively effect environmental change,” said van Paasschen.  “Along with supporting Conservation International’s incredible work, it’s exciting to share CI’s mission with our guests and partners around the world.”

Since becoming CEO in 2007, van Paasschen has championed Starwood’s environmental sustainability efforts and has worked with the company’s senior leadership to form a Global Citizenship team which is committed to delivering tangible improvements to the company’s environmental, social and business performance.

The alliance with CI, which involves collaboration to build on Starwood’s Environmental Strategy through setting environmental performance goals directed at reducing energy and water consumption, as well as developing stakeholder engagement programs, will further establish Starwood’s long history of an ethical and responsible approach to business.

Across its entire portfolio, Starwood is rolling out initiatives that aim to conserve energy and water, reduce waste and enhance indoor environmental quality for Starwood guests and associates alike.  Starwood’s trailblazing eco-chic boutique Element Hotels brand made history when it launched as the first major hotel brand to mandate that all U.S. properties pursue the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

“We look forward to working with Starwood to promote our shared objective of making the hospitality industry a positive force for healthy ecosystems and sustainable economic growth,” said Peter Seligmann, Chairman and CEO of Conservation International.  “We also are thrilled to have Mr. van Paasschen join the Executive Council of CI’s Center for Environmental Leadership in Business.  He will bring unique knowledge and experience to the Center’s efforts to convene corporate and environmental leaders to break new ground in the development of green business models.”

“Globally, Starwood is increasingly focused on integrating environmental sustainability into its operations and it was important to create a partnership with a world-class organization like CI to continue to move that work forward in the most impactful way,” said Sandy Swider, Vice President of Global Citizenship for Starwood.

About Conservation International
Conservation International (CI): Building upon a strong foundation of science, partnership and field demonstration, CI empowers societies to responsibly and sustainably care for nature for the well-being of humanity. With headquarters in Washington, D.C., CI works in more than 40 countries on four continents. For more information about CI, visit www.conservation.org.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & 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.