"This hotel will be a welcome addition to Westin's Caribbean resort expansion in choice destinations and we are thrilled to have a presence on St. Maarten, one of the world's most popular tropical vacation spots," said Sue Brush, Senior Vice President, Westin Hotels & Resorts. "St. Maarten, like Westin, carries a rich history and we're delighted to be able to offer our guests the Westin experience on this lovely island."

"We have successfully built and operated properties in the Caribbean, as well as gaming properties in the U.S., said Columbia Sussex President, William Yung. "Our new St. Maarten resort and residences will allow us to leverage our extensive experience in developing resorts and gaming hotels with the same unparalleled attention to detail bestowed upon our other developments, including The Westin Casuarina Las Vegas Hotel, Casino & Spa, which for the past quarter has ranked #1 of all Westin hotels in North America in customer surveys, and The Westin Casuarina Resort & Spa Grand Cayman."

Situated on the Dutch side of the island and high up on one of the island's pristine 37-plus beaches on just 37 square miles, The Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort & Spa and The Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Residences will be a luxurious tropical paradise in a scenic setting. While most accommodations boast ocean-views, all of the exquisitely appointed guest rooms and suites will feature balconies with French doors, upscale amenities and oversized bathrooms. All of the resort's guestrooms and the residences will feature the Westin brand's signature Heavenly Bed® and Heavenly Bath®. Guests of the resort will be able to enjoy the WestinWORKOUT® Powered by Reebok fitness facility and recently introduced WestinWORKOUT® Rooms, giving them the opportunity to work out in the privacy of their own rooms. Additional guest services include WestinKid's Club® for tiny travelers three to 12 with activities, both on and off property.

Resort dining and entertainment will fuse local island flavor with uncompromising service and quality, with spectacular ocean views at every dining outlet in the resort. Whether guests prefer to spend their days soaking up the island's sun as they lounge by the turquoise Caribbean waters or testing their luck at the full-service on-site casino with slots and all table games, The Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort & Spa will have something for everyone. Amenities also will include a luxurious, full-service, European-style Hibiscus Spa, several retail shops with duty-free shopping, fresh water pool complete with swim-up bar and whirlpool, 18-hole golf at Mullet Bay, and water sports galore.

The resort will boast more than 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor flexible meeting and event space, including a 10,000 square-foot ballroom, making it a popular destination for weddings and honeymoons as well as business conference venues.

Westin Hotels & Resorts, with 121 hotels and resorts in 31 countries and territories, is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.

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

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.   
Ellen Gallo
914-640-8167