Starwood to manage new Sheraton Hotel in Xiamen, China

Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Xiamen Fuchun Orient Hotel Company Limited have signed an agreement whereby Starwood will manage the Sheraton Xiamen Hotel in China. The newly built 348-room Sheraton Xiamen Hotel is scheduled to open in June 2005. Upon opening, Starwood will have 23 hotels in operation in China.

"China has much to offer to business, leisure, conference and incentive travelers, whether it be fascinating destinations, rich history and culture, business and conference facilities or world class hotels. They can select from a range of fine Starwood properties in the capital city of Beijing, bustling metropolis of Shanghai, resort haven of Sanya on Hainan island, and numerous cultural and business destinations throughout the country," said Miguel Ko, President, Asia- Pacific, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Worldwide Inc. "We are honored to partner with Xiamen Fuchun Orient Hotel Company Limited. With the opening of the Sheraton Xiamen Hotel, the city will be able to provide visiting travelers the opportunity to stay at a truly world class hotel. Sheraton Xiamen Hotel will be the first five-star international hotel to open in Xiamen in the new millennium," added Ko.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts has expanded its portfolio in China significantly over the last year with the opening of Sheraton hotels in Sanya on Hainan Island, and in Dongguan in the Guangdong province. Starwood also recently signed for the development of two new hotels in Shenzhen and one in Ningbo.

Xiamen is one of China's most vibrant cities with many thriving industries primarily in international trade, education, science and tourism. Located on the southeastern coast of Fujian province in China, Xiamen is a beautiful seaport city which boasts a long and colorful history dating back some 3,000 years. The city offers extensive and varied sightseeing experiences - from thousand year-old Buddhist temples to fortresses. It is the cultural and academic center of Fujian Province, with a rich nineteenth century European flavor in its architecture. It is also one of the most tastefully renovated cities in China, giving it the feel of a holiday resort.

Sheraton Xiamen Hotel will be located in Jiantou District and is within walking distance to Xiamen's largest retail mall. Jiantou is designated as the new commercial and business district of Xiamen city. The hotel is part of a multi-purpose complex that houses the hotel in one tower and condominiums and a retail podium in the next. The hotel will feature 348 rooms, including 40 suites, and close to 1,000 square meters of meeting and function space. The hotel facilities will also include four dining outlets, sports and recreational facilities, a health club and spa, an indoor swimming pool and retail center.