AMMAN, Jordan--January 27, 2011--Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announces plans to debut the first St Regis hotel in Jordan, furthering St. Regis’ robust global expansion and mission to introduce properties in the world’s most dynamic and exciting markets. Owned by Al Maabar Abdoun Real Estate Development Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Al Maabar International Investments Abu Dhabi, The St. Regis Amman and The Residences at St. Regis Amman will become a landmark in the city’s affluent Abdoun district. Scheduled to open in 2014, the new St. Regis Amman will provide guests flawless service delivered by the brand’s legendary butler service, elegant modern decor and an array of luxurious amenities which will set the standard for luxury in the region.

St. Regis Amman will be among five St. Regis openings in the Middle East in the coming years, including highly-anticipated properties in Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where two St. Regis hotels will be unveiled. These new openings mark another incredible year of growth for the brand as St. Regis continues to more than double its portfolio of spectacular hotels and resorts worldwide. This project will extend the Starwood portfolio in Jordan, where the company currently operates Sheraton and Le Méridien hotels and has three additional properties in the pipeline.

“St. Regis is pleased to present our legacy of bespoke service, custom tailored guest experiences and unparalleled luxury to the region,” says St. Regis Global Brand Leader Paul James. “As we venture to further increase our global footprint and open St. Regis hotels and resorts in new markets around the world, the brand welcomes the opportunity to open its doors in Jordan, one of today’s most sought-after travel destinations.”

According to Roeland Vos, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, EAME, Jordan represents a key strategic growth market with diverse offerings that complement Starwood’s range of brands: “We are honored to be working with Al Maabar as we debut our St. Regis brand in Jordan, underlining our confidence in the market as a luxury tourism destination and a regional corporate hub.”

Commenting on the project, Managing Director of Al Maabar International Investments, Mr. Yousef Al Nowais, says “The St. Regis Amman and The Residences at St. Regis Amman, Jordan’s first “branded luxurious residences,” are envisaged to be a true timeless landmark prominently displayed in the skyline of Amman. This is in-line with Al Maabar’s vision to respond to real market needs and create landmark property developments that flourish. Every aspect and detail of the project will exude allure and strongly affirm a sense of sophistication and elegance. We are proud of our partnership with Starwood and envision our journey to be an enduring one.”

“What we are witnessing today as a key milestone for Al Maabar’s Abdoun project is testament to the excellent relationships between Abu Dhabi and Jordan as inspired by the great vision of HH Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s president and HM King Abdullah of Jordan. We are grateful to their Highnesses for their tremendous support, and to HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces, for his constant commitment and close involvement which has helped facilitate our progress."

With design concepts by New York-based Perkins Eastman Architects, The St. Regis Amman will feature 270 luxuriously appointed guest rooms, including 91 suites, four restaurants, a café, destination bar, pool and pool bar, fitness center, signature spa, and St. Regis’ iconic Butler service. Trained in the English tradition, the butlers provide ever-present, yet unobtrusive round the clock service while anticipating guests needs and customizing each guest's stay according to his or her specific tastes and preferences. St. Regis is the only global luxury brand in the world that offers a bespoke Butler Service in every one of its 24 hotels and resorts, providing outstanding service and amenities. The hotel will also comprise more than 30,000 square feet of ultra-modern meeting and event space, as well as a business center.

The Residences at St. Regis Amman will include approximately 80 branded luxurious residences featuring two-, three-, four- and five-bedrooms as well as a dedicated lobby, pool, fitness center and lounge. Coupled with the grand residences, the St. Regis Amman is poised to become the premier destination for sophisticated, global travellers and furthers establishes the St. Regis’ dedication to providing unrivalled accommodations and exceptional service and amenities for the brand’s discerning guests.

About St. Regis Hotels & Resorts
Combining classic sophistication and modern luxury, the St. Regis brand remains faithful to its commitment to excellence. Founded by John Jacob Astor IV, with the opening of the first St. Regis Hotel in New York City over a century ago, the St. Regis brand of hotels is known for its unique luxury dimension, customized service and refined elegance, in the best destinations worldwide. Plans for this brand to globally continue its legacy include long-awaited St. Regis US and Latin American hotels and resorts in Bal Harbour, Buenos Aires and the Riviera Maya. In Asia, St. Regis has also announced plans to open hotels in Bangkok, Chengdu, Kuala Lumpur, Sanya Yalong Bay and Tianjin. In Africa and the Middle East, the St. Regis brand will continue to expand in Abu Dhabi, Cairo, Doha and Mauritius. The distinctive trait of the St. Regis experience is customized service and attention, coveted locations and luxurious design. For more information on St. Regis Hotels & Resorts please visit the new www.stregis.com.

About Al Maabar
Al Maabar Abdoun Real Estate Development Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Al Maabar International Investments; a joint venture company formed by Abu Dhabi's largest real estate developers and investment power houses namely Mubadala, Aldar Properties, Sorouh Real Estate, Al Qudra Holding, Reem Investments, and Reem International. As the face of Abu Dhabi in the global real estate arena, Al Maabar’s holistic perspective as a developer balances the growth of its partner nations and their people, honors heritage and traditional values, and respects the surroundings.

Al Maabar is furthering Abu Dhabi’s growing reputation for wisely considered and thoughtfully implemented global investment that drives positive change and ignites opportunities for growth and prosperity within and beyond the MENA region. Besides Jordan’s developments, Marsa Zayed in Aqaba, and The St. Regis Amman in Abdoun, Al Maabar’s investments also include Bab Al Bahr in Morocco and Al Waha in Libya. In accordance with this business model, Al Maabar is always looking for new opportunities to open doors for destinations with the potential to flourish.