WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) announces the opening of The Westin Arlington Gateway, a $75 million, 336-room-upscale hotel in the bustling Ballston area of Arlington, VA, neighbor to the Nation's Capital. The hotel is the first luxury hotel to be built in Arlington in more than 13 years and is owned by The JBG Companies and managed by Westin Hotels & Resorts, the-upper-upscale brand of Starwood.

Arlington features vibrant commercial districts that are home to industry leaders and Fortune 500 companies, world famous monuments and attractions and top-notch shopping. The hotel is a short walk from the Ballston Metro Station and four miles from Reagan National Airport. The hotel's sleek design, soothing color palette and luxurious amenities bring refreshing style and upscale accommodations to Arlington Gateway development, a one million-square-foot mixed-use development. The Westin Arlington Gateway joins The Continental at Ballston, a 411-unit condominium building and the Arlington Gateway, a 325,000-square-foot Class-A office building.

"At the heart of The Westin Arlington Gateway is the comfort, well-being and quality of life for our guests," said Sue Brush, senior vice president for Westin Hotels & Resorts. "Our goal for the Westin brand is to provide accommodations that offer a retreat from the rigors of travel in which guests can relax and restore their mind, body and spirit in a healthy ways."

Westin's new brand positioning is centered on renewal and offering guests the services, products and amenities that will help them rejuvenate, relax and restore their mind, body and spirit. In keeping with this brand message, all Westin hotels in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean are designated smoke-free as of February 2006.

Guests can sink in to Westin Hotels & Resorts' signature Heavenly Bed(R), a luxurious all-white bed with a pillowtop mattress, high thread-count sheets, down duvet and down pillows, and be refreshed by its newest Heavenly Bath(R), a custom-designed dual showerhead that offers a choice of spray options from light mist to massaging needles, as well as plush bathrobes; oversized, Brazilian combed cotton bath sheets; curved shower rods to provide extra elbow room; and invigorating spa amenities. Guestrooms boast amenities and services that cater to business travelers in Westin style with an oversized work desk; two-line cordless telephone with data port; high-speed Internet access; coffee maker with complimentary Starbucks coffee and in-room refreshment center.

The Westin Arlington Gateway features Westin Executive Club Level; 10,000 square feet of meeting facilities; a 6,800-square-foot ballroom; a state-of-the-art business center; the WestinWORKOUT(R) Powered by Reebok fitness center; an indoor pool with whirlpool a lobby-level Starbucks(R); high-speed and wireless Internet access throughout the hotel. Pinzimini, located in the new Westin Arlington Gateway, promises to be a dining destination in and of itself and is destined to become the hottest after-work bar scene and the most talked about restaurant for business meetings and dinner dates alike.

Westin Hotels & Resorts, with 121 hotels and resorts in 31 countries and territories, is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and was ranked "Highest in Guest Satisfaction Among Upscale Hotels Chains." in the J.D. Power and Associates' 2004 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Study(SM) and voted Best Domestic Hotel Chain by Global Traveler Magazine.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 850 properties in more than 95 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood(R) Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis(R), The Luxury Collection(R), Sheraton(R), Westin(R), Four Points(R) by Sheraton, W(R), Le Meridien(R) and the recently announced Aloft(SM). 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 .

Ellen Gallo
914/640-8167
Starwood