NHA TRANG, Vietnam (Oct. 7, 2010) - One of the world's leading hotel companies Tuesday celebrated the grand opening of the Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa, downtown Nha Trang's only 5-star, internationally renown hotel.

Inside the property's 340-square-metre grand ballroom, and with more than 120 guests as witnesses, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and East Ocean Real Estate & Tourist Joint Stock Company officially christened the first Sheraton beach property in Vietnam.

"We opened in March, but in the last few months we've taken the product to the next level," said Scott Hodgetts, Sheraton Nha Trang's general manager. "It's only after every aspect of your operation has been finely-tuned that you can really celebrate the introduction of a tremendous hotel. We're there now."

Located on the sunny south-central coast, less than an hour's flight from Ho Chi Minh City, the 30-story Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa drinks in views of one of the world's most beautiful bays (www.world-bays.com) from virtually every space, including all 284 guest rooms.

From the ornate lobby chandelier made of glass seagulls to top-floor suites bedecked in earthed-tinged furnishings, the entire hotel exudes a harmonious relationship with the region's beaches and maritime environment. 

"Blending the resort charm with modern comforts, the Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa is a choice addition to the Sheraton resort portfolio," said Wayne Buckingham, Regional Vice President - Starwood Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Singapore. "The hotel is in one of the most beautiful beach resort destinations in the country and offers visitors a variety of sites to explore and a wide selection of restaurants, markets and exciting adventures."

From left to right: Mr. Wayne Buckingham, Regional Vice President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts for Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Singapore. Mr. Scott Hodgetts, General Manager of Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa.  Mr. Le Thanh Quang, Secretary of Khanh Hoa Provincial Party Committee. Mr. Le Xuan Than, Vice Chairman of Khanh Hoa People�s Committee. Mr. Tran Le Nguyen, Chairman of the Board of Management of East Ocean Real Estate & Tourist Joint Stock Company (owning company). Mr. Luu Minh Luan, a shareholder of East Ocean Real Estate & Tourist JSC. Mr. Stephen O�Grady, General Director of East Ocean Real Estate & Tourist JSC

The hotel's modern feel is exemplified by its collection of Sheraton-branded restaurants and bars, three of which are entered from above the lobby: The Wine Bar, Feast and Steam n' Spice, an upmarket noodle shop specialising in dimsum and noodles - a dining concept not yet offered at Sheratons in China, the cuisine's birthplace.

The contemporary theme is taken a step further several floors up, where the first Shine Spa for Sheraton in mainland Asia employs clean lines and tawny tones to transmit a sense of organic tranquillity. The spacious couples treatment room overlooks the bay and the 6th-floor infinity pool.

Other standout features include the first purpose-built cooking school inside a hotel in Vietnam; Link@Sheraton experienced with Microsoft, a unique WiFi community lounge launched by Sheraton last year; and sky-high Altitude, a multi-purpose function room on the 28th floor. 

About Sheraton Hotels & Resorts

Helping guests make connections at more than 400 hotels in 75 countries around the world, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts is in the final stages of a $6 billion worldwide, multi-year revitalization program. This effort includes a $4 billion investment in North America, with over $2 billion in new hotels, $1.5 billion in renovations and $400 million in signature brand initiatives around the Sheraton brand.
Sheraton is owned by and is the largest and most global brand of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with over 980 properties in more than 100 countries and 145,000 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 Aloft®, 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.

Note: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities regulations.