Aloft Deal for Chapel Hill, NC

Opening in Early 2010, it will be Newest Hotspot for Savvy Travelers

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. March 25, 2009

WHITE PLAINS, NY, March 25, 2009v - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.(R) (NYSE:HOT) and its newest lifestyle brand, AloftSM Hotels, today announced plans to break ground on an Aloft hotel in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Slated to open in early 2010, Aloft Chapel Hill is owned by a subsidiary of Inland American Real Estate Trust, Inc. and is under the asset-management responsibility of another subsidiary, Inland American Lodging Corporation. Designed to meet the needs of today's generation of stylish and tech-savvy travelers, the new-build hotel will offer 130 spacious loft-like rooms, energetic public spaces and a hip, social atmosphere.

Aloft Chapel Hill will occupy an ideal location on North Hamilton Road, just five minutes from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and twenty minutes from Duke University in nearby Durham, North Carolina. The hotel will be less than nine miles from Research Triangle Park and convenient to a number of Chapel Hill landmarks and attractions such as the Botanical Gardens, the shops and restaurants on Franklin Street and Dean Smith Center, site of the legendary basketball rivalry between UNC and Duke. In addition to its proximity to Chapel Hill's leading local activities, the hotel will feature 600 square feet of meeting space, as well as an outdoor area and swimming pool.

"Aloft Chapel Hill will offer a definitive sense of style and urban design aesthetic that will complement the energy and excitement of this bustling college town," said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President, Aloft Hotels. "Aloft is bold, stylish and affordable with strong appeal for today's younger, tech-savvy travelers."

"We are excited to introduce Aloft to Chapel Hill, a vibrant community well suited for the level of energy and high standards of design and community that Aloft has to offer," said Craig Lambert, senior vice president asset management of Inland American Lodging Corporation. "The Aloft brand's fresh perspective is changing the industry as we know it, and we are happy to be able to provide guests and locals of Chapel Hill with the latest alternative in travel."

A Vision of W Hotels, Aloft is a new destination sensation featuring loft-inspired design, accessible technology and a stylish urban attitude. Guest rooms feature the brand's signature nine-foot ceilings, oversized windows and the ultra-comfortable bed, as well as roomy walk-in showers and amenities created by Bliss(R) Spa. Each Aloft room is also a combination high-tech office and entertainment center equipped with free wireless internet access and a one-stop connectivity solution for multiple electronic gadgetry all linked to a 42" flat-panel television.

Designed in conjunction with world-renowned David Rockwell and the Rockwell Group, Aloft offers atmospheric public spaces where guests can mix and mingle, read the paper, work on laptops, play a game of pool or grab a drink with friends at the re:mixSM communal lobby area and w xyzSM bar. The re:chargeSM fitness center and splash pool give travelers options to de-stress and re-energize, while re:fuel by aloftSM offers sweet, savory and healthy food, snacks and beverages to grab & go, 24-hours a day. Aloft is also committed to the environment and launched a see green program, which promotes ecologically friendly practices, products and services both inside and outside the hotel. For example, Aloft incorporates recycled materials in its design and provides preferred parking for hybrid cars.