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| WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., March 8, 1999 - Starwood Hotels
& Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), today announced that, on April
6th, the former 192-room Carlton Hotel will be converted to The St. Regis
Washington.
Guests will find exclusive amenities and services, such as butler service, which is not available at other Washington area hotels. The St. Regis Washington, at the corner of 16th & K Sts., N.W., (steps from The White House), is the third hotel to share the legendary name and refined standards of The St. Regis of New York City, a Beaux Arts classic built by John Jacob Astor in 1904, which has received widespread recognition as one of the finest hotels in the world. The St. Regis Aspen (formerly a Ritz-Carlton) earned the name in 1997. In June, The Luxury Collection Hotel in Houston will convert to The St. Regis Houston, and later this year the current Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia will convert to The St. Regis Philadelphia. "We are proud to announce the third St. Regis Hotel, one which will provide world class service and style to visitors during their stay in our nation's capital," said Juergen Bartels, Chief Executive Officer Hotel Group, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. "The name The St. Regis is a world-renowned, integral part of our history, delivering to its distinguished clientele a benchmark of personalized service and unending attention to detail." The St. Regis Washington is more than 70 years old, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. More than $25 million was spent renovating the hotel's 192 guest rooms (including 14 suites) in 1995. Designed on an Italian palazzo model, the hotel was constructed by entrepreneur Harry Wardman and designed by Turkish architect Mihran Mesrobian. President Calvin Coolidge cut the ceremonial ribbon, and every president since has visited the hotel. Butler service, a hallmark of the St. Regis brand, is available in the hotel -- the only property in the nation's capital to offer this service. The St. Regis Washington will offer guests a choice of accommodation -- including the option of booking a room on select Astor Floors that will be served by butlers. Guests who book accommodation on Astor Floors will be welcomed on arrival in their room by a Butler, who will coordinate many aspects of their stay. The Butler will offer them refreshments of coffee or tea, as well as assistance in unpacking their luggage. Clothing in need of pressing or dry cleaning, as well as shoes that need shining, will be collected by the Butler immediately following arrival or at any time required, and returned to the guest's wardrobe. Butlers also will deliver sweets and fruits in the afternoon to the guests' rooms. Butlers at The St. Regis Washington also will be available to assist guests in planning dinner parties or hospitality functions. They also will coordinate all special amenities and detailed requirements for top VIPs who visit the hotel. Besides English, all butlers are fluent in one other language. The St. Regis Washington also offers 24-hour room service and concierge service. There is a Fitness Suite, as well as a full range of amenities and services. Washingtonians in search of a world class dining experience will find it at Lespinasse, The St. Regis Washington restaurant. Earlier this month, Lespinasse became the only hotel restaurant in Washington, D.C., to earn a rare Five Diamond Award from the AAA Guide. Chef de Cuisine Sandro Gamba also holds a coveted a Michelin star. Lespinasse opened in October 1996 to rave reviews in Esquire, Washingtonian and The Wine Spectator amongst others. Mr. Peter Walterspiel will become General Manager of the hotel effective March 25th. He joins The St. Regis Washington from the Turnberry Isle Resort & Club, located in Ventura, Fla., where he was the Resident Manager.  All
three St. Regis properties are part of The Luxury Collection of Starwood
Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., an elite group of 57 of the world's
finest hotels and resorts in 22 countries. A fourth and fifth are
planned for later this year, with the conversion of The Luxury Collection
Hotel in Houston in May, and the Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia by December.
The Luxury Collection (first launched as a brand in 1995) delivers the
finest hotel experiences through unparalleled attention to guests' needs
and preferences. Each property is exceptional and distinctive, offering
a seamless integration of the customs, culture and environment of its locale
-- which include a former palace in Italy dating back to the 14th century
to the most modern of resorts.
To better serve the discriminating travelers who stay at these distinctive hotels and resorts, there is an exclusive Luxury Collection Reservations Desk with its own toll-free number and a Luxury Collection Customer Advisory Board made up of luxury travel agents. Guests of the St. Regis Washington will be able to make reservations through the worldwide Luxury Collection Reservations offices, reachable toll-free in 34 countries (800-325-3589 in the U.S. or Canada). Corporate customers will have the benefit of The Luxury Collection's easily accessible global sales office; and travel agents may now book reservations using all of the latest technology, including direct connections to all global distribution systems. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), through its Sheraton, Westin, St. Regis/Luxury Collection, Four Points, W and Caesars subsidiaries, has approximately 690 hotels in 71 countries with some 230,000 rooms and 125,000 employees, and is one of the largest hotel and gaming companies in the world. |
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| Also See: | Starwood Invests in Israel's Moria Hotels Chain / Jan 1999 |
| Starwood Hotels Resorts Names Richard J. Cotter Managing Director of the St. Regis / July 1998 | |
| 50 Starwood Hotels in the Conde Nast Top 500 Gold List / Jan 1999 |