White Plains, NY– July 13, 2009 – Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announces the opening of Four Points by Sheraton San Antonio Northwest – an event which also marks the launch of the brand’s first prototype hotel and the company’s 450^th hotel in the United States. The six-story hotel showcases the Four Points by Sheraton brand’s rejuvenated, contemporary look, complemented by classic and comfortable interior design elements refreshed for today’s self-sufficient traveler.  Owned by Galo Properties and managed by DePalma Hotels, Four Points by Sheraton San Antonio Northwest offers 130 spacious guest rooms with comfortable beds, popular extras such as free high-speed Internet and bottled water, and an engaging, social atmosphere. 

Four Points by Sheraton San Antonio Northwest is the first of three prototype hotels to open in North America this year as part of the brand’s comprehensive, global rejuvenation campaign. In the past fiveyears, Starwood and its partners have invested more than $1 billion to reinvent Four Points by Sheraton resulting in a 70 percent turnover of the portfolio driven by major property renovations, conversions and new-build hotels. 

“We have devoted considerable time and energy into refreshing the Four Points by Sheraton brand, and a key element of our global revitalization is the launch of our first prototype hotel in the lively city of San Antonio,” said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President, Four Points by Sheraton.  “With its versatility, smart layout and cost efficiencies, the new prototype is generating a great deal of enthusiasm among owners and developers, while ensuring that every aspect of the guest experience reflects the Four Points by Sheraton brand’s emphasis on uncomplicated comfort and simple sophistication – updated for today.”

Highlights of the first Four Points by Sheraton prototype hotel include bright and bold design, clean architectural lines and warm, contemporary furnishings.  Facilities include a state-of-the-art fitness center, heated outdoor swimming pool, 1400 square-feet of flexible meeting space, and premium food and beverage facilities, including a full breakfast and Seattle’s Best Coffee.  At the end of the day, the hotel’s family room is the perfect spot to stay connected at Internet terminals and wind down with a local craft brew, courtesy of the popular Four Points by Sheraton Best Brews^® program.

Stylish and practical, the hotel’s guest rooms feature a spacious work area, 32-inch flat screen television, free bottled water and complimentary high-speed Internet. Guests will also get a good night’s sleep in the signature Four Points by Sheraton Four Comfort Bed®, a luxurious ensemble including a plush mattress, assortment of pillows and stylish duvet.

“We are proud to unveil Starwood’s first Four Points by Sheraton prototype hotel, designed to meet the needs of business travelers seeking an inviting, comfortable setting enhanced by full-service amenities – all at a great value,” said Marcus Moreno, Vice President of Development for Galo Properties.  “Four Points by Sheraton San Antonio is an ideal addition to this fast-growing section of San Antonio, which has undergone a transformation in recent years.”

Located across from The University of Texas at San Antonio, Four Points by Sheraton San Antonio Northwest will anchor Promenade Place, a 12-acre, urban lifestyle center with offices, shops, coffee bars and restaurants. The hotel is less than five minutes from award-winning championship golf and the Shops at La Cantera, a recently opened, upscale shopping and dining destination.  Guests will enjoy easy access to the city’s top attractions including the historic Alamo, the shops and restaurants along Riverwalk, Sea World, Market Square, and Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Nearby businesses include Valero Corporate Headquarters and UTSA.

About Galo Properties
Galo Properties is an aggressive development company based in San Antonio, Texas which prides itself on locating prime real estate and maximizing land potential. Acquiring optimum land position is achieved with an experienced, professional and diligent team. The Galo staff associates itself with the best and most qualified consultants in executing architectural plans, legal documents and engineering services. The result is exceptional, eco-minded communities. With a staff and offices in San Antonio and Austin, Galo properties is one of the largest single-family lot developers in South Central Texas.

About DePalma Hotel Corporation
DePalma Hotel Corporation, founded in 1983, is a national hotel management company with a variety of hotel properties located throughout the country from select-service Inns to full-service convention hotels. DePalma’s broad range of expertise includes achievements for a wide variety of clients from independent hotel owners and multi-portfolio investment groups to asset management for national financial institutions. DePalma is proud to be a Starwood Preferred Management Company for Sheraton and Four Points by Sheraton brands.

About Four Points by Sheraton
Four Points by Sheraton, with 141 properties in 24 countries, offers the self-sufficient traveler a new kind of style and comfort combined with a spirited "can-do" service – all at an honest value.  Four Points by Sheraton hotels are located in easy-to-reach areas – close to major airports, suburban centers, urban hot spots and resort and vacation destinations.  Four Points’ Simple Pleasures^SM program celebrates the little things in life that make a big difference in guests’ travel such as a great beer, a complimentary bottle of water, and a tasty treat at the end of a long day.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 960 properties in 97 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.