MUMBAI, India, Apr 05, 2011 --Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced plans to open W Mumbai, marking the debut of W Hotels Worldwide in India.

Located in bustling South Central Mumbai where modern architecture intertwines with colonial cultural monuments, W Mumbai will introduce its world renowned lifestyle hotel concept to one of India's hippest cities, where the country's music, fashion, media and entertainment industries converge. Under a management contract with Jaguar Buildcon Private Limited, W Mumbai will be developed on approximately three acres of land and is expected to open by 2015. Overlooking the Mahalaxmi racecourse, the hotel will form a part of the Namaste Tower, an iconic 55-story mixed-use building designed by WS Atkins to look like clasped hands. Expected to be a landmark in the city of Mumbai with its iconic design, W Mumbai will be a highly anticipated and spectacular addition to India's financial and fashion capital.

"We are excited to bring the W lifestyle to Mumbai, another step in W's global expansion into the world's most exciting and vibrant destinations," said Frits van Paasschen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. "W Mumbai will offer a contemporary take on design, fashion and music in the heart of one of the city's most vibrant districts, bringing an innovative and distinctive experience to Mumbai. When W Mumbai opens, Starwood will have seven of its nine brands present in India."

W Mumbai will house more than 350 stylishly appointed guestrooms, including two WOW Suites and one Extreme WOW Suite (W's take on the Presidential Suite); two contemporary restaurants and one destination bar; the signature W lounge (W's interpretation of the traditional hotel lobby); WET pool deck; SWEAT, state-of-the-art fitness center; and a signature spa for guests to detox and refuel for what's to come. W Mumbai will also house stylish spaces for luxury designer retail stores and boast a full calendar of exclusive and exciting W Happenings events that showcase what's new and next in design, fashion and music for both guests and locals alike.

"We are thrilled to partner with Starwood and its distinct stable of brands. It is the perfect time for W Hotels to enter India, specifically Mumbai, a city that matches W's vibrant energy, and strong association with fashion and Bollywood. Luxury in India has existed in its traditional form, but with the entry of W, there is an opportunity to introduce luxury in its modern and trend-setting sense," said Gurinderjit Singh, Managing Director of Jaguar Buildcon.

"With the construction of our first W Hotel in India, we expect to see more owner interest in developing this great brand in other key leisure and business destinations in the country," said Dilip Puri, Managing Director, India and Regional Vice President South Asia, Starwood Asia Pacific Hotels and Resorts. "Locations such as the Delhi NCR region, Goa and Kerala are targets for Starwood to develop W Hotels and Retreats."

About W Hotels Worldwide
W Hotels is a contemporary, design-led lifestyle brand and the industry innovator with 41 hotels and retreats in the most vibrant cities and exotic destinations around the world. Inspiring, iconic, innovative and influential, W Hotels provides the ultimate in insider access, offering a unique mix of cutting-edge design and passions around fashion, music and entertainment. W Hotels offers a holistic lifestyle experience that is integrated into the brand's sensibility through contemporary restaurant concepts, glamorous entertainment experiences, stylish retail concepts and signature spas. With more than 12 years of proven success, W Hotels is on track to reach more than 50 hotels by the end of 2012. W Hotels and W Retreats have been announced for Paris, St. Petersburg, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Athens - Astir Palace, and Verbier, among other international destinations. For more information, visit www.whotels.com.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1025 properties in 100 countries and territories with 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(R), The Luxury Collection(R), W(R), Westin(R), Le Méridien(R), Sheraton(R), Four Points(R) by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft(R), 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.