Starwood Hotels' Aloft Brand Debuts in Tucson, AZ

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. April 09, 2013

April 9, 2013 -Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.® (NYSE:HOT) today announced that its 'Style-at-a-Steal' Aloft brand celebrates the debut of Aloft Tucson University. The opening also marks the completion of yet another Aloft conversion project, helping to accelerate the brand's phenomenal global growth. Owned by Starwood Hotels, the former Four Points by Sheraton property underwent a significant renovation to reposition it as an Aloft hotel. Catering to next generation travelers, Aloft Tucson University offers 154 spacious, loft-like rooms, leading-edge technology and a buzzing, social atmosphere.

“We are thrilled to debut the Aloft brand in Tucson, a vibrant city for both students and young professionals who appreciate the Aloft brand's style aesthetic and buzzing social scene,” said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President, Specialty Select Brands for Starwood. “Conversion projects like this one are becoming an increasingly important growth channel for the Aloft brand, allowing us to enter even more markets, more quickly as we move closer to the 75th hotel milestone.”

Aloft Tucson University opens to the public on April 4 with the grand opening event, including community representatives and surrounding businesses, set for April 23. Brian McGuinness, and Simon Turner, President of Global Development Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., will attend grand opening ceremonies along with local officials. Internationally renowned Flam Chen will jump-off the event in smashing style with their troupe of world-class acrobats performing inside the hotel lobby and in the courtyard.

Adjacent to the University of Arizona campus, Aloft Tucson University is just three miles from downtown Tucson and 20 minutes from Tucson International Airport (TUS). Guests will enjoy easy access to a choice of shops and restaurants, numerous corporate offices and entertainment venues such as Centennial Hall and TCC Music Hall. Hotel amenities include an outdoor pool, w xyz sm bar, 24-hour fitness center and 1,723 square feet of flexible meeting space, ideal for both business meetings and social gatherings.

Aloft Tucson University is one of several successful Aloft conversion projects including Aloft San Francisco Airport, Aloft Nashville West End, Aloft Calgary University and the award-winning Aloft Dallas Downtown - an adaptive re-use project that transformed a historic railroad depot into an Aloft hotel.

“Aloft is picking up even more momentum as we continue to leverage conversion opportunities as another, highly effective growth channel for the brand,” said Allison Reid, Senior Vice President of North America Development for Starwood. “Aloft conversions breathe new life into older properties, while meeting the rising demand among Gen Y minded travelers for the brand's urban, design aesthetic and social atmosphere.”

Pioneering initiatives in music, design, and technology have positioned Aloft as a must-have living-social brand for the next generation of travelers. Aloft has reported consistently high guest satisfaction scores since launch, reflecting the success of its modern and vibrant design at an affordable price point. Aloft's social guest experience, with the buzzing re:mix lounge and w xyz bar, has also earned select hotels within the portfolio designations in TripAdvisor's 2012 "Top 25 Trendiest Hotels in the US" rankings.

For more information or reservations, visit www.alofttucsonuniversity.com, or call 520-908-6800. Like Aloft Tucson University on Facebook, follow on Twitter @Aloft Tucson and share excitement with #AloftTucson.

About Aloft Hotels
With more than 60 hotels in 10 countries, Aloft has changed the hotel landscape by offering 'style at a steal' everywhere from Baltimore to Beijing to Bogota to Brussels - and everywhere in between. For more information, please visit www.alofthotels.com.

Aloft, like all brands within Starwood's portfolio, is proud to offer the Starwood Preferred Guest® program, which offers a breakthrough policy of no blackout dates on Free Night Awards. To learn more, please visit www.spg.com.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1,134 properties in nearly 100 countries and 171,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood 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 Meridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, and ElementSM. The Company boasts one of the industry's leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. Starwood also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., a premier provider of world-class vacation experiences through villa-style resorts and privileged access to Starwood brands. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.