Westin Richmond Opens

. December 18, 2008

RICHMOND, VA, December 18, 2008. Ideally situated near downtown Richmond, the contemporary new hotel features intuitive service, ample meeting facilities and renewing signature amenities

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announces the opening of The Westin Richmond, a seven-story, contemporary, state-of-the-art hotel. Owned by Forest Avenue Hotel Associates, LLC and managed by Musselman Hotels under an agreement with Starwood, The Westin Richmond inspires guests to be at their best with the help of the Westin brand's signature amenities, sophisticated dining and instinctive service.

The Westin Richmond offers 250 upscale guest rooms, including 10 suites. Each includes the signature Heavenly(R) Bed, Heavenly(R) Bath/Shower, high-speed wireless and wired Internet access, a 37' flat panel television, WestinWakeCupTM for self-serve gourmet Starbucks coffee, a stocked refreshment center, in-room safe and in-room movies.

"The Westin Richmond promises to invigorate guests with a blend of style and personal renewal," said Sue Brush, Senior Vice President, Westin Hotels & Resorts. "We invite visitors to indulge in the sensory-rich Westin experience, designed to send them home feeling even better than when they arrived."

The Westin Richmond is conveniently located on Broad Street just off Interstate 64 at Reynolds Crossing. The hotel's proximity to numerous local corporations such as Reynolds Development, Alcoa, Philip Morris and Genworth Financial makes it an ideal spot for business travelers to relax and renew. Located a short distance from the vibrant downtown and west-end areas of Richmond, the hotel offers easy access to several premium golf courses and universities, the Metro Richmond Zoo and Busch Gardens. Also nearby are unique museums, including the Edgar Allen Poe Museum, the downtown canal walk and diverse shopping at the Short Pump Mall or Stony Point Fashion Park.

"We're excited about the opportunity to bring a first-class Westin hotel to the Richmond market," said Chester Musselman, President and CEO of Musselman Hotels. "We have attracted what we feel will be the best management team of any hotel in the Richmond area, which will be complemented by Westin amenities and the strength of the Starwood reservation system."

The Westin Richmond features more than 10,000 square feet of unique, stylish function space, including elegant ballrooms, meeting rooms, an executive boardroom and a conference hospitality suite to ensure productive meetings and exhilarating social engagements. The largest ballroom is approximately 4,400 square feet and can accommodate banquets of up to 300 people and receptions for up to 500 people. The hotel's culinary team will inspire and delight, whether catering an intimate dining experience or a larger gala affair. A wide range of audiovisual and technology services are available to assist with event agendas or with setting a mood through d'ecor, lighting and sound.

Refreshing and sophisticated dining options include Crossings restaurant and a warm, inviting lobby bar and lounge. The hotel also offers 24 hour in-room dining.

For health-minded guests, The Westin Richmond includes another brand standard: a WestinWORKOUT(R) fitness center. The facility features cardiovascular equipment, weight machines and more to empower visitors 24 hours a day. For added energy, the hotel features a heated indoor pool and hot tub.

Guests at The Westin Richmond will be welcomed by General Manager Feliks Schwartz, a seasoned professional who has more than 18 years of hospitality experience, with eight years serving guests in the Richmond market. Jodie Munn, who has worked in the hospitality industry for the past 16 years, is the hotel's Director of Sales.

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