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The Carlyle Group and Davidson Hotel Company to Convert the
157-room Colonnade Hotel to The Westin Colonnade Coral Gables
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WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - March 16, 2006 -- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announces a franchise agreement with an affiliate of The Carlyle Group and Davidson Hotel Company to convert the 157-room Colonnade Hotel to The Westin Colonnade Coral Gables. Located in the center of the historic city of Coral Gables, a Mediterranean-themed suburb of Miami, the hotel boasts 23,000 square feet of meeting space which includes 6, 000 square feet of unique event space in the hotel's magnificent Rotunda. The Rotunda, which was constructed in 1926 in the Mediterranean Revival style, is long established as the premier Coral Gables location for important social events. Amenities also include a fine dining restaurant and a rooftop pool. Davidson has been managing the hotel since a Carlyle/Davidson joint venture acquired it in November 2005, and will continue to manage the hotel when it debuts as a Westin in late 2006. 

Coral Cables was founded in 1925 by George Merrick and is known as "City Beautiful," and today is home to 6.5 million square feet of office space, the University of Miami, and an abundance of high-end residential and retail properties. More than 175 multinational companies have Latin American or regional headquarters in Coral Gables, as do numerous foreign consulates. Additionally, for the 20th consecutive year, the National Arbor Foundation has called Coral Gables "Tree City USA" because of its lush surroundings provided by 50,000 trees. 

"This hotel will be a great new addition to the Westin brand for both business and leisure travelers visiting Coral Gables or nearby Miami," said Sue Brush, senior vice president, Westin Hotels & Resorts. "The hotel's location in exclusive Coral Gables makes this new Westin an ideal location for sophisticated social and corporate events. We look forward to providing all guests with renewing signature services and amenities that provides them with a sense of rejuvenation, so they feel better when they leave than when they arrived." 

"Davidson Hotel Company is continuing to build a portfolio of excellence in the hospitality industry," said John Belden, president and CEO of Davidson. "We are very proud to bring the exceptional attributes of the Westin brand into the Davidson portfolio and look forward to the brand's contributions to the success of such an important asset in the Coral Gables community. In addition to the Coral Gables Westin Colonnade, Davidson will manage the Westin Annapolis (opening in early 2007) for a joint venture formed by Carlyle and the Jerome J. Parks Companies, and we look forward to continued growth within the Westin brand." 

Westin's new brand positioning is centered on renewal and offering guests the services, products and amenities that will help them rejuvenate, relax and restore their mind, body and spirit. In keeping with this brand message, all Westin hotels in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean are designated smoke-free as of February 2006. 

Guests can sink in to Westin Hotels & Resorts' signature Heavenly Bed(R), a luxurious all-white bed with a pillowtop mattress, high thread-count sheets, down duvet and down pillows, and be refreshed by its newest Heavenly Bath(R), a custom-designed dual showerhead that offers a choice of spray options from light mist to massaging needles, as well as plush bathrobes; oversized, Brazilian combed cotton bath sheets; curved shower rods to provide extra elbow room; and invigorating spa amenities. Guestrooms will boast amenities and services that cater to business travelers in Westin style with an oversized work desk; two-line cordless telephone with data port; high-speed Internet access; coffee maker with complimentary Starbucks coffee and in-room refreshment center. 

The Westin Colonnade Coral Gables will feature a Westin Executive Club Level; 23,000 square feet of meeting space including a two ballrooms, ideal for business events and a 6,000-square-foot historic rotunda in the Mediterranean Revival style which makes the hotel an excellent location for weddings and other social gatherings. Additional guest services include the WestinWORKOUT(R) Powered by Reebok fitness center and WestinWORKOUT guest rooms. 

Westin Hotels & Resorts, with 121 hotels and resorts in 31 countries and territories, is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and was ranked "Highest in Guest Satisfaction Among Upscale Hotels Chains." in the J.D. Power and Associates' 2004 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Study(SM) and voted Best Domestic Hotel Chain by Global Traveler Magazine. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 850 properties in more than 95 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood(R) Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis(R), The Luxury Collection(R), Sheraton(R), Westin(R), Four Points(R) by Sheraton, W(R), Le Meridien(R) and the recently announced Aloft(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. 

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Contact:

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Ellen Gallo, 914-640-8167
[email protected]

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Also See: The Arden Group, Gemstone Resorts Form Joint Venture to Acquire and Operate Two Hotels; Omni Colonnade and The Savoy / Jan 2002
Amstar Group Acquires the 296 room Hilton Pasadena for $65 million / January 2006


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