Starwood Continues Its Expansion in China with Signing of Sheraton Jiuzhaigou Hotel; Sheraton Jiuzhaigou Hotel Brings Starwood's Number of Properties in China To 21

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and Sichuan Xinchengxin Industrial Co. Ltd. announced an agreement appointing Starwood as the operator and manager of the 492-room Sheraton Jiuzhaigou Hotel. This agreement places Starwood as one of the largest international operators of upscale hotels and resorts in China.

This five-star property first opened in October 2000 as Jiuzhaigou International Hotel. Starwood will assume official management of the resort on June 1. The hotel will undergo a rebranding process so as to align it with the international operating standards of Sheraton Hotels & Resorts. Sheraton Jiuzhaigou Hotel will be the first international upscale resort in Jiuzhaigou, a popular resort area, serving both leisure and incentive travelers. The resort will boast six food and beverage outlets, 4,000 square feet as meeting space and extensive recreational facilities including an indoor pool and a theater seating 500 people.

Jiuzhaigou is situated in Sichuan Province located in southwest China. This resort destination is currently accessible from Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. The Jiuzhaigou International Airport is scheduled to open in September 2003 which will allow direct flights from key gateway cities in China such as Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou.

"We are very pleased with the signing of the Sheraton Juizhaigou Hotel, another testimony of Starwood's commitment to the rapidly growing inbound and intra-regional business in China. We are delighted to be in partnership with Sichuan Xinchengxin Industrial Co. Ltd. and are proud to manage this stunning resort," said Miguel Ko, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia-Pacific. "Sheraton Jiuzhaigou Hotel will be Starwood's second resort in mainland China and will be a fine addition to our collection of Sheraton, Westin, St. Regis and Four Points by Sheraton properties in China." added Ko.

Jiuzhaigou, a state nature reserve, was part of the first batch of scenic areas that came under special state protection in 1982. It was voted the best new scenic area of China in 1990 and was admitted into the UNESCO "World Heritage List" in 1992. As a nature reserve, Jiuzhaigou is rich in the natural elements, from lakes, waterfalls and mountains to animals, vegetation and plants. The natural elements, coupled with the area's unique inhabitants from the Tibetan & Qiang tribes, have transformed Juizhaigou into a secluded natural haven.