STAMFORD, Conn.--Feb. 22, 2012-- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), today announced plans to open a Westin hotel in Jekyll Island, Georgia as a key element of the Jekyll Island redevelopment project. The owners and co-developers of the project, New Castle Hotels & Resorts and Jekyll Landmark Associates, expect to break ground on the new Westin this summer, with an anticipated opening in February 2014. The Westin Jekyll Island will feature 200 rooms, ample meeting facilities and the full suite of Westin signature amenities and services designed to help guests leave feeling better than when they arrived.

Offering breathtaking ocean views and direct beach access, The Westin Jekyll Island will be located within the Jekyll Island Convention Center Complex, a highly-anticipated, mixed-use development slated for completion in February 2014. In addition to the new Westin hotel, the complex will feature a 128,000-square-foot, fully renovated convention center, a 45,000-square-foot ballroom, a variety of retail shops and a beachfront promenade. Close to the National Historic Landmark District, The Westin Jekyll Island will also be convenient to numerous golf courses, miles of barrier island beaches, and a variety of outdoor recreation including marsh eco-tours, dolphin watching and kayaking.

“We look forward to introducing Westin to Jekyll Island and we expect that the strength of the Westin brand will draw large numbers of travelers who appreciate the brand’s emphasis on a renewing travel experience,” said Gerald Chase, President and COO of New Castle Hotels and Resorts. “Another benefit of joining Westin is that we can tap into the power of Starwood via the award-winning Starwood Preferred Guest program.
The Westin will have an outstanding location on the beach next to a world class convention center, as well as strong partners and owners with prior experience operating on Jekyll Island. When you have all these strengths aligned, it makes for a winning hotel.”

“Westin has emerged as a popular choice for owners and developers seeking a high-caliber brand for mixed-use complexes and revitalization projects like Jekyll Island,” said Allison Reid, Senior Vice President of North America Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. “Fueled by the success of its distinct positioning, Westin has expanded its portfolio 30% over the past five years and plans to open another 30 hotels by the end of 2016.”

The sensory-rich environment at Westin offers a respite from the rigors of travel and sets a welcoming tone. Upon entering the lobby, guests will begin to breathe more easily as they are greeted with soothing elements like relaxed lighting, natural botanicals and stimulating music. All guestrooms will feature the world-renowned Westin Heavenly® Bed featuring lush sheets, down cushioning and a patented pillow-top mattress, which cradles and contours to the body for complete comfort. Another industry first, the Heavenly® Bath creates an invigorating spa-like experience, enhanced with the brand’s Heavenly® Shower, Heavenly® Robe and exclusive White Tea Aloe bath amenities. In-room, high-speed Internet access and an ergonomic work space will offer travelers convenience and productivity in a tranquil setting.

“We are delighted that Westin Hotels will play a key role in the redevelopment of Jekyll Island, and invite both business and leisure travelers to experience the Westin difference on one of Georgia’s most scenic barrier islands,” said Brian Povinelli, Global Brand Leader for Westin Hotels & Resorts. “The Westin Jekyll Island will offer all of the Westin brand’s signature programs and amenities, designed to bring to life the brand’s emphasis on sending guests home feeling better than when they arrived.”

An ideal venue for weddings, social galas and business functions, The Westin Jekyll Island will feature 5,700 square feet of meeting and banquet facilities equipped with the latest in meeting technology. The hotel will also include a full-service restaurant and the brand’s signature WestinWORKOUT® gym experience.

Westin Hotels & Resorts, like all brands within Starwood’s robust portfolio, is proud to offer the Starwood Preferred Guest® program, which made headlines when it launched in 1999 with a breakthrough policy of no blackout dates on Free Night Awards. SPG® offers members the ability to redeem awards at more resorts, more luxury properties, more European hotels and more golf properties than any other hotel program.

About New Castle Hotels & Resorts
New Castle Hotels & Resorts portfolio includes 30 hotels the company manages, owns or is developing in the United States and Canada. The privately held hotel management company consistently ranks in the country’s top 100 hotel management and development companies in hospitality industry trade publications. New Castle celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2010. The Westin Jekyll Island will be the second property co-developed and managed by New Castle on Jekyll Island. For more information on New Castle Hotels & Resorts, please contact Gerald P. Chase, president, chief operating officer, at (203) 925-8370, or visit the corporate website at www.newcastlehotels.com

About Westin Hotels & Resorts
Westin Hotels & Resorts makes the healthiest choices irresistibly appealing, so guests leave feeling better than when they arrived. With more than 186 hotels and resorts in over 36 countries and territories, Westin is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1,090 properties in 100 countries and territories with 154,000 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, Aloft®, and ElementSM. 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