Napa, Calif. (June 11, 2008) � The Westin Verasa, Napa is preparing to become the epitome of the Napa Valley lifestyle when it opens on September 18th, providing a haven for guests to replenish their spirit and revitalize their energy in one of the country�s most idyllic destinations.  The hotel will represent everything visitors enjoy about the Napa Valley -- food, wine, and lifestyle � infused with Westin signature services and amenities plus one of America�s most highly acclaimed restaurants.

The Westin Verasa, Napa, the first full-service, upper upscale property to be built in Napa in nearly five years, will be located blocks away from COPIA, The American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts, and the new Oxbow Public Market. The hotel is destined to become the focal point of Downtown Napa where guests savor their stay in the wine country.

�The Westin is perfectly situated for guests to explore thriving Downtown Napa and partake in the finest aspects of the wine country lifestyle,� said Don Shindle, General Manager of The Westin Verasa, Napa.

The 180-suite hotel�s design is based on historic regional precedents recalling the many influences evident in Napa and Bay Area architecture. The property will utilize details and materials from this historic style including well-articulated windows, window bays, timbered elements, wood, stone, and concrete accents.  The hotel also embraces the Napa River and Preserve, where an expansive pool, courtyard and south wing open to the natural environment.

Unprecedented Signature Services and Amenities in Napa

Westin will offer a degree of service and amenities that marry the elegant yet relaxed wine country lifestyle with the hotel brand�s instinctive ability to make visitors feel at home.

 �The Westin will introduce to Napa unprecedented signature services and amenities that enable our guests to enrich their mind, body and spirit, and feel renewed as a result of our instinctive, charismatic style of service,� added Don Shindle.

From the moment guests step inside The Westin Verasa, Napa, they will be embraced by the hotel�s intuitive and attentive service. The experience will begin in the hotel lobby, when visitors will be greeted by the Westin Sensory Welcome®, where soothing music, scents, botanicals and lighting transform the welcome experience and make the lobby an inviting place.

Concierge service will help guests make the most of their stay, providing easy access to wine tastings, culinary attractions, spas and the area�s abundant recreation. The resort will include additional Westin trademark touches that have raised the bar for upscale hotels worldwide, such as the Westin Heavenly Bed®, 24-hour Westin WORKOUT® fitness center, the Westin Heavenly Bath®, Westin Service Express® allowing guests to request every imaginable hotel service with one call, and the Westin Heavenly Dog® program.

Other amenities designed to provide the ultimate getaway will include an outdoor pool, hot tub, up to 12,000 feet of conference and event space, two bocce courts, and easy access to river walking paths.

One of �America�s Best Restaurants� To Relocate To Westin Verasa, Napa

The hotel will quickly become recognized as the �go-to� culinary destination of Napa Valley thanks to Chef Ken Frank, who is moving his award-winning restaurant La Toque from its Rutherford location to The Westin Verasa, Napa. Named one of the �Best Restaurants in America� by The Wine Spectator, La Toque will enjoy a new location with a warm and luxurious atmosphere highlighted by a show kitchen. An outdoor patio where diners can savor Napa�s mild weather will be nearly as luxurious as the formal dining room.

 �I�ve watched Napa evolve to the point where it�s really ready to take center stage in the valley,� said Frank. �I�m very excited about all the development and the positive things that are happening in downtown Napa, which is quickly becoming the go-to wine country destination.�

Bank, a lounge and wine bar located adjacent to the lobby, will complement the dinner-only La Toque, serving as a gathering place for breakfast or lunch or a place to savor a nighttime cocktail.

The Westin Verasa, Napa will be located approximately two blocks west of Downtown Napa and is conveniently located near all of Napa Valley�s attractions, including the wine train, wineries, COPIA, and the Oxbow Public Market. For more information visit www.VerasaNapa.com.

About Westin Hotels & Resorts
Westin Hotels & Resorts, with more than 150 hotels and resorts in more than 31 countries and territories, is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT). Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 900 properties in more than 100 countries and 155,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels 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 Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched AloftSM, and Element 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.

About Intrawest
Intrawest is a world leader in experiential destination resorts.  The company, and its affiliates, have interests in ten resorts at North America�s most popular mountain destinations including Whistler Blackcomb, a host venue for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.  The Intrawest network also includes Canadian Mountain Holidays, the largest heli-skiing operation in the world, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Florida and Club Intrawest�a private resort club with nine locations throughout North America.  In addition, Intrawest develops real estate at its resorts and at other locations across North America and in Europe. Intrawest is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. For more information, visit www.intrawest.com

Abbi Holtom Whitaker
[email protected]
775-851-7492 (Office)