STAMFORD, Conn.--Nov. 20, 2012-- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced the opening of The Westin Snowmass Resort following an extensive, multi-million dollar renovation to reposition the prestigious, slope-side property as a Westin. Formerly known as the Silvertree Hotel & Conference Center, the resort fully refurbished all guest rooms and public areas in order to implement the full suite of Westin signature amenities, designed to rejuvenate and inspire wellbeing. Owned by a joint venture between Starwood Capital Group and Wasserman Real Estate, The Westin Snowmass Resort is ideally situated in the heart of Snowmass Village, adjacent to the slopes of Snowmass – one of Colorado’s most sought-after ski mountains.

The Westin Snowmass Resort features 254 rooms including 18 suites, all with spectacular slope-side views. The resort’s brand-new restaurant – The Snowmass Kitchen – offers all-day dining with convenient ski-in/ski-out access. Guests will enjoy the world-class spa facility and brand-new WestinWORKOUT® fitness center overlooking Snowmass Village, as well as the two new hot tubs at the resort’s pool. The newly landscaped outdoor space is ideal for outdoor events. The 20,000 square-foot conference center was fully renovated and re-opened on June 1, 2012.

Overlooking the slopes of Snowmass, The Westin Snowmass Resort is walking distance to the shops and restaurants of Snowmass Village and is convenient to three other ski areas – Aspen, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk. The Snowmass/Aspen area is also a leading destination for summer vacationers, offering a host of activities such as white-water rafting, championship golf courses, horseback riding, hot air balloon rides and hiking.

“We are delighted to open The Westin Snowmass Resort where guests can enjoy either winter skiing or summer recreation at a magnificent property that truly exemplifies the Westin brand’s emphasis on wellbeing,” said Brian Povinelli, Global Brand Leader for Westin Hotels & Resorts. “As the newest addition to the Westin brand’s already extensive collection of ski resorts, The Westin Snowmass gives travelers the opportunity to experience the Westin difference in the prestigious Snowmass/Aspen area.”

The sensory-rich environment at Westin offers a respite from the rigors of travel and sets a welcoming tone. Upon entering the lobby, guests begin to breathe more easily as they are greeted with soothing elements like relaxed lighting, natural botanicals and stimulating music. All guestrooms feature the world-renowned Westin Heavenly® Bed with 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 offer travelers convenience and productivity in a tranquil setting.

“We are thrilled to be re-opening as a Westin in time for the winter ski season and invite guests to enjoy our newly improved facilities and rejuvenate with the help of the Westin brand’s signature amenities and services,” said John Curnow, general manager of The Westin Snowmass Resort. “The Westin Snowmass Resort is one of the area’s top wedding and meeting destinations and a stand-out resort with year-round appeal.”

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.

For more information on Westin Hotels & Resorts, please visit www.westin.com, Facebook or follow Westin on Twitter

About Westin Hotels & Resorts
Westin Hotels & Resorts offers innovative programs that transform every aspect of a stay into a revitalizing experience. All Westin signature services – like the Heavenly Bed, delicious SuperFoodsRX® and WestinWorkout® studio – have been designed with the guests’ well-being in mind. Westin hotels, with more than 186 hotels and resorts in nearly 40 countries and territories, is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT). Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1,128 properties in nearly 100 countries and 154,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood 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 also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., a premier provider of world-class vacation experiences through villa-style resorts and privileged access to Starwood brands. For more information, please visit www.westin.com

About Starwood Capital Group
Starwood Capital Group is a private, U.S.-based investment firm with a core focus on global real estate. Since the group’s inception in 1991, the firm, through its various funds, has invested over $10 billion of equity capital, representing over $29 billion in assets. Starwood Capital Group currently has $19 billion of assets under management. Starwood Capital Group maintains offices in Greenwich, Atlanta, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and affiliated offices in London, Luxembourg, Paris, Mumbai and Sao Paulo. Starwood Capital Group has invested in nearly every class of real estate on a global basis, including office, retail, residential, senior housing, golf, hotels, resorts and industrial assets. Starwood Capital Group and its affiliates have successfully executed an investment strategy that includes building enterprises around core real estate portfolios in both the private and public markets. Additional information about Starwood Capital can be found at www.starwoodcapital.com

About Wasserman Real Estate Capital
Wasserman Real Estate Capital LLC is a vertically integrated real estate operating company with in-house acquisition, development, leasing, property management, asset management, legal and financial reporting capabilities. Wasserman’s goal is to create value and manage the long-term interests of its investments on behalf of its investors. Wasserman Real Estate Capital develops, re-develops, and manages a vast array of properties across the United States and internationally. For more information, please visit www.wrecapital.com.

(Note: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities regulations. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and involve risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated at the time the forward-looking statements are made. These risks and uncertainties are presented in detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although we believe the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained or that results and events will not materially differ. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.)