Presidian Opening an ELEMENT

Travelers to Rise, Shine and Thrive in Leawood, Kansas

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. October 14, 2008

OCTOBER 18, 2007. Waking up in Leawood, Kansas never felt so good thanks to a new mode of extended stay travel. Today, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT), announced an agreement with Presidian Companies to open an ELEMENT hotel in Leawood, Kansas in July of 2009.

Inspired by Westin Hotels & Resorts, ELEMENT Leawood will offer a new extended stay experience that weaves together modern amenities, intuitive design and nature-inspired touches. Every guest will get a clean and "green" start to their day thanks to the ELEMENT brand's eco-friendly bathroom equipped with low-flow faucets, dual-flush toilets and shampoo and conditioner dispensers (to eliminate multiple mini-bottles). It's no wonder guests will leave Leawood's newest hotel knowing what it truly means to wake up and thrive.

Awaken to Smart Design

The ELEMENT brand's unique, smart design philosophy is evident from the moment guests arrive. After passing through a signature portal that provides a literal bridge to the ELEMENT interior haven, guests will be greeted with streams of natural light from a multi-storied window wall. The vitality of the lobby will be matched by the energy of the hotel's outdoor fire pit and barbecue, where a regular nightly gathering will give guests an opportunity to interact, while sipping a glass of wine or draft microbrew beer.

"ELEMENT Leawood will provide guests with endless opportunities to thrive," said Brian McGuinness, Vice President of ELEMENT & ALOFT Hotels. "With ELEMENT we hope to create a haven for guests to work, relax, and socialize -- enabling them to be at their best while away from home for longer periods of time."

The smart design and clever use of space in the hotel's 138 guest rooms will be aimed at encouraging guest productivity while also facilitating relaxation. ELEMENT Leawood's open, modular flow will blend together each part of the guestroom to create a residential feel. Guests will be able to customize their rooms to match their habits through multi-purpose, modular furniture, swiveling flat-screen televisions, large desks with open shelving and custom-designed closets. In addition, each room offers a complete kitchen that features modern, energy-star rated appliances and all the tools and utensils to prepare a gourmet meal. Guests will also rest soundly in the renowned Westin Heavenly Bed(R), and recharge each morning in a sleek, contemporary bathrooms with oversized spa showers.

A Vital Travel Hub

Part of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, Leawood offers all the perks of a major city but has the feel of a small town. Leawood provides an abundance of fine dining and unique shopping opportunities, and its thriving business community continues to grow, in part due to its newest neighbor, the Sprint World Headquarters Campus. This one-of-a-kind facility spans over 4 million square feet and is home to over 14,000 employees. If touring the corporate park isn't for you, you can take a quick drive to Kansas City, one of the Midwest's most vibrant cities.

"Leawood is the perfect place for travelers to awaken to the newest mode of extended stay travel," said Brandon Raney, Vice President of Development for Presidian Companies . "Visitors to ELEMENT Leawood will not only appreciate the easy access to Kansas City and its most popular attractions, but also the unique richness that the area has to offer."

Space to Live Your Life

A signature breakfast offering, fully equipped fitness center and uninterrupted indoor/outdoor public spaces will deliver a multi-functional, natural environment that provides guests with the space to work, relax or socialize. Intuitive staff will provide guests the personalized attention they need and the space they desire to live a complete and balanced life while at the hotel.

ELEMENT Leawood will also feature over 800 square feet of meeting space, an integrated technology center and library, as well as caf'e seating, a workspace and a flexible lobby lounge space. For breakfast, guests will be able to choose among several options, including its signature hot breakfast sandwich, fresh fruit and cereal bar.