PARIS---Feb. 29, 2012-- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announces today the debut of W Hotels Worldwide in France with the highly-anticipated opening of W Paris - Opéra. Owned by Barcelona-based Meridia Capital, the hotel is set inside a historic 1870s Haussman-era heritage building near Opéra Garnier, Galeries Lafayette and Place Vendome in the eclectic, historic 9th Arrondissement in Paris. Through W Hotels’ unique and distinctive programming, which is inspired by the brand’s roots in New York where it was founded in 1998, W Paris - Opéra will set a new scene in the city for both guests and Parisians alike. The opening of W Paris - Opéra marks a significant milestone in the W brand’s global expansion as it gears to enter Singapore, Thailand and China later this year.

“Taking the W brand into Paris, a global fashion capital, marks a true milestone in W’s global expansion into the world’s most exciting and vibrant destinations”, says Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien. “Fashionable global jetsetters can now be on the runway with W from New York to London and Paris. Unique lifestyle programming within a cutting-edge, designed environment will bring a new, distinctive experience to Paris and the Parisians alike.”

Javier Faus, Chairman and CEO, Meridia Capital, comments, “In 2008, we acquired this heritage building and launched the flagship Apple store in 2010. We are thrilled to work with Starwood to bring the prestigious W brand to Paris, and are confident that the new W Paris - Opéra hotel will be a major success following the effort and energy put into the refurbishment and design of the building.”

W Paris - Opéra will provide a cutting-edge lifestyle experience, featuring 91 stylish guest rooms, including 20 suites and two Extreme WOW Suites (W’s interpretation of the Presidential Suite). The hotel’s signature restaurant, Arola, marks the debut of Michelin-starred chef, Sergi Arola in France. The hotel offers spectacular views of the Opéra Garnier from its ground level and mezzanine floors, including W Lounge, W’s take on the traditional lobby, a buzzing social space where visitors can sip, drink and flirt over tapas and cocktails by the hotel’s mixologist. W Paris - Opéra features a SWEAT® fitness centre, as well as stylish meeting and event spaces. Guests can expect the brand’s signature Whatever/Whenever® service philosophy, providing guests whatever they want – from the latest in fashion, design, and music in Paris, to the city’s most exclusive events and nightspots.

Design – “The Spark” Inspired by New York’s Energy and the Sophisticated Radiance of Paris

Designed jointly by W Global Brand Design and the award-winning Rockwell Group Europe, W Paris - Opéra was conceptualised to create a dynamic dialogue between the building’s historic façade, Paris as the “City of Light” and W Hotels’ DNA by infusing New York’s dynamism and never-ending energy into the quintessentially sophisticated Parisian neighbourhood. GCA Architects, a renowned architecture and interior design firm, also advised Meridia Capital in this project.

Arola – Bringing Spanish Innovation to Paris

A renowned Spanish Michelin-starred chef from Barcelona, Sergi Arola has been appointed as the executive chef at W Paris - Opéra's signature restaurant, Arola. The restaurant introduces the innovative "Pica Pica" culinary concept of creative dishes and tapas, seasonal products and French classics, served on a platter for all to share. Regarded as one of the most creative minds in Spanish haute cuisine, the Catalan chef has also designed the menu for the hotel’s W Lounge and in-room dining.

W Paris - Opéra is now accepting reservations, including group arrivals and event bookings. For further information and bookings, call W Paris-Opéra on +33 (0)1 44 77 10 68 or visit www.wparisopera.com

For more information on W Hotels Worldwide, please visit www.whotels.com or www.facebook.com/whotels. Follow W Hotels on Twitter, @WHotels.

About W Hotels Worldwide
W Hotels is a contemporary, design-led lifestyle brand and the industry innovator with 41 hotels and retreats, including 14 W-branded residences, 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, signature spas and inspiring residences. With more than 12 years of proven success, W Hotels is on track to reach more than 60 hotels by the end of 2015. W Hotels have been announced for Paris, Guangzhou, Milan, Shanghai, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Athens – Astir Palace, Muscat, Mumbai, and Santa Fe, Mexico, while upcoming W Retreats include Verbier and Mexico’s Riviera Maya.  For more information, visit www.whotels.com. To live the W Hotels lifestyle 24/7/365, visit www.wresidences.com.  Follow W Hotels on Twitter: @WHotels.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1,071 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®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft®, and Element SM.  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 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.