Starwood continues expansion with opening of its second Hotel in Vietnam

Starwood Hotels & Resorts is to open the Sheraton Hanoi Hotel, located on the picturesque shores of Hanoi's largest Tay Ho or West Lake, on March 5, 2004.

"Vietnam is such an exciting and historically-rich destination that is emerging quickly to be of great interest to leisure, incentive and corporate groups. We are very pleased to open Sheraton Hanoi Hotel, our second hotel in Vietnam, less than a year after the opening of our first hotel, Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers in Ho Chi Minh City," said Miguel Ko, President Asia-Pacific, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

The hotel is located just 25 minutes from Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport and minutes from downtown Hanoi. It is situated within the grounds of lush landscaped gardens, bridges, tranquil courtyards, sweeping lawns and refreshing fountains.

The 299-room hotel is centrally located within the business and tourist district of Hanoi and is situated on a pleasant and tranquil lakeside setting. The lake was traditionally an area where once the Vietnamese Royal Family spent their recreation time and is surrounded by summer palaces and religious foundations built by the monarchs. Today, the Presidential Palace is visible from the hotel as are religious pagodas and temples.

General Manager, Mr. Alain Rigodin, commented: "The opening of the Sheraton Hanoi Hotel is an important milestone for Starwood Hotels & Resorts and I am extremely proud to lead the team in the capital city of Hanoi. The hotel will be of a truly world class standard with a focus on catering to the discerning traveler in providing innovative product and service excellence"

Sheraton Hanoi Hotel features some of the largest standard guest rooms in Hanoi, each measuring 37 square meters. All guestrooms feature traditional décor with a local Vietnamese and French Colonial influence, and offer spectacular views of the West Lake.

Each room features king sized or twin-sized beds, private bathroom and separate bath and shower recess, individually controlled air-conditioning, in room electronic safe, mini-bar, a luxury selection of toiletries, tea and coffee making facilities.

Guestrooms are also equipped with the latest telecommunication and entertainment facilities. These include remote control television with satellite reception, broadband internet access, voice mail, IDD telephone and data points for facsimile or personal computer.

The hotel also offers 7 meeting rooms with a total of more than 1,100 square meters, suitable for small to medium sized meetings, with a capacity of 500 guests for its largest meeting room.

Sheraton Hanoi Hotel will feature innovative food and beverage outlets including: Oven D'Or which will provide all day dining, Hemispheres, a specialty restaurant which will be open for lunch and dinner and Nutz a lively bar and restaurant opening in the evenings and featuring a live band.

The Health and Fitness Center will include a world-class gymnasium, sauna, spa treatments and private massage. All feature an extensive range of state-of-the-art equipment with direct access to the beautifully designed pool and garden area.

Sheraton Hanoi Hotel is managed by the Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. and is owned by the Malaysia's Faber Group and the Vietnam Ministry of Finance.