The St. Regis Houston, in the residential area of Post Oak Park at the Galleria, and only minutes from Houston's central business district, will become the fourth 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 hotel joins the ranks of The St. Regis Aspen (which converted in 1998), The St. Regis Washington (which will convert on April 6th), and The St. Regis Philadelphia (currently the Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia), which is due to convert later this year.

More than $6 million is being spent to renovate the hotel's 180 guest rooms and 52 suites. Guest rooms are appointed in a classic decor, floor to ceiling windows, and marble baths. Suites range in size from 750 square feet to 2,500 square feet, each with a unique style and individual decor. Many suites are complete with living room, wet bar, powder room, separate bedroom and oversized master bath including a jacuzzi tub and separate shower.

The Grand Ballroom offers a refined residential setting for events up to 600 guests, while 13 elegant salons can accommodate up to 125 people for meeting and dining options.

"We are proud to bring our flagship St. Regis standard of service and style to Houston," said Juergen Bartels, Chief Executive Officer of the 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, which lends itself to this location."

Butler service, a hallmark of the St. Regis brand, is available in the hotel -- the only property in Houston to offer this service. Guests will have the option of booking accommodation on select Astor Floors that will be served by butlers. Guests who stay 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. Fruits will be delivered to all guest rooms upon arrival.

Butlers at The St. Regis Houston 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 Houston also offers 24-hour room service and 24-hour concierge service. Dining at the St. Regis Houston is an elegant experience. Executive Chef Charles Dixon Dash currently creates continental cuisine with a regional accent, served in the Dining Room. "Powerful business" breakfasts and irresistible lunches are served daily, with a remarkable brunch served each Sunday. The Bar and Grill offers a variety of regional cuisine in a cozy, club-like atmosphere. Live entertainment is featured each evening. A traditional afternoon tea, with all the trimmings, is served daily.

The hotel's General Manager is Robert Schofield. Susan Ward is Director of Sales and Marketing, and David Gugino is Director of Catering.

The hotel has been rated the #1 Hotel in Houston in Conde Nast Traveler's 1998 Gold List rating of "Top Hotels in America;" it was rated #21 in the USA and #66 in the World in Institutional Investor's 1998 listing of "The World's Best Hotels," and The Dining Room and The Grill were lauded in Gourmet Magazine's 1998 listing of "America's Top Tables."

All four 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 fifth is planned for later this year, with the conversion of the Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia. 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. Starwood Hotels Resorts Worldwide, Inc. 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.