Starwood to open first Four Points by Sheraton Resort in Asia

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and Grande Asset Development Public Company Limited have signed an agreement whereby Starwood will manage the new-build Four Points by Sheraton Patong in Phuket, Thailand that is scheduled to open in July 2005. This will mark Four Points by Sheraton's entry into the resort market in Asia-Pacific.

Four Points by Sheraton Patong is located strategically in Patong, the downtown hub of Phuket, and one of the most popular beaches on the island. The hotel will offer a great range of beach activities as well as excellent dining, shopping and entertainment facilities. Four Points by Sheraton Patong will be situated within the Jungceylon Center, a comprehensive lifestyle center offering numerous shopping, dining and entertainment facilities. The resort will feature 215 rooms, three dining outlets, sports and recreational facilities and a business center. The resort also offers 150 square meters of meeting and function space, suitable for small sized meetings or group activities.

"Four Points by Sheraton Patong will demonstrate a new direction for the brand in terms of our expansion in Asia and into resort and leisure market destinations," said Miguel Ko, President, Asia Pacific, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. "Phuket's tradition and reputation as a tropical paradise island and leisure playground of Thailand is well-known to travelers not only in Asia but around the world. We are delighted to be able to offer visitors a range of high quality Starwood hotels and resorts throughout Thailand, a land of cultural attractions, great cuisine and shopping, beautiful beaches and warm friendly people who embody the truest sense of hospitality," said Ko.

"We are honored to partner with Grande Asset Development Public Company Limited to establish Four Points by Sheraton Patong, which will be an excellent addition to our collection of resorts. Four Points by Sheraton addresses a defined market segment, that of travelers who choose to lodge in upper midscale hotels with a wide range of services at convenient rates and this clearly sets a difference with our competitors," added Ko.

As Thailand's largest island, Phuket nestles by the Andaman sea on the Southern coastline of Thailand. The island is blessed with magnificent coves and bays, palm-fringed pure white beaches, sparkling island-dotted seas, excellent seafood as well as numerous sporting and leisure opportunities.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts expanded its portfolio in Thailand significantly over the last year with the addition of Sheraton Krabi Resort and The Westin Grande Sukhumvit in Bangkok. Starwood also recently signed a new Sheraton resort in Thailand's "royal paradise" beach resort of Hua Hin that will open in September 2005.

The Four Points by Sheraton brand was first introduced to Asia-Pacific with the opening of Four Points by Sheraton Darling Harbour in Sydney in March 2000. Other Four Points by Sheraton hotels in Asia-Pacific are located in Geelong and Port Macquarie in Australia, and in Chung Ho, Taiwan. The first Four Points by Sheraton hotel in China is to open in Shenzhen in September 2004.