ANNOUNCING THE OPENING OF THE ST. REGIS SHANGHAI

The opening of The St. Regis Shanghai on 28 July 2001 heralds both a new standard of luxury accommodation in Shanghai and the further expansion of Starwood Hotels’ exclusive new St. Regis brand in Asia and around the world.

The opening of The St Regis Shanghai follows the rebranding and upgrading of the acclaimed Beijing International Club, the unrivalled leading hotel in the Chinese capital, to The St Regis Beijing in March 2000. The presence of these two exclusive hotels in the two key cities of Mainland China marks a major new milestone in the hospitality standards now on offer to travelers in this important destination.

St Regis is the newly created luxury brand of Starwood Hotels, and takes its name from the internationally-acclaimed St. Regis in New York City, the legendary flagship hotel that has defined Old World luxury for almost a century. But the new St Regis brand goes further, combining that same Old World luxury with New World chic. The result is a group of hotels of incomparable elegance, exceptional service and world-class facilities…modern hotels that are a contemporary reinterpretation of the standards and values of the classic grand hotels of the past.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts has teamed up to manage The St. Regis Shanghai with the owner and developer, Shanghai HongTa Hotel Co. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Yunnan HongTa Group. One of the largest conglomerates in China, Yunnan HongTa Group has diversified interests with invisible earnings totaling approximately RMB35.3 billion (approximately US$4.3 billion).

"China’s burgeoning economy has led to a strong growth in the number of business travelers who demand high-quality, luxury accommodation, especially in new commercial areas like Pudong. We have invested RMB800 million (approximately US$97 million) in The St. Regis Shanghai, which is the first international luxury hotel, designed to operate to five-star standards, to open in Shanghai in the 21st century. It will be our contribution to the development of Pudong’s international financial center and our group’s showcase to the world,” said Liu Hui Jiang, Director and General Manager of Shanghai HongTa Hotel Co. Ltd.

“It’s just a few short years since the first international joint venture hotels opened in China, and we have truly come a long way since then. I believe that The St Regis Shanghai marks a new phase in service standards in China, where we are now able to offer a truly world-class hospitality experience to the discerning traveler,” said St Regis Shanghai General Manager Cary Gray.

Every St. Regis hotel is created to be the best in each city in which it operates, and The St. Regis Shanghai is no exception. Located in the heart of the newly-emerging business district of Pudong, the 40-storey property features 318 deluxe guestrooms, including 48 exquisite suites. The stylish rooms, designed by the leading international hotel interiors specialist Hirsch Bedner & Associates, are the largest in Shanghai, with each standard room measuring 48 square meters.

All are equipped with state of the art luxurious furnishings and amenities, ranging from custom-designed mattresses and Herman Miller “Aeron” chairs to BOSE CD Wave Radios and “Rainforest” massage showers.

One of the most impressive qualities of the hotel is the renowned St. Regis Butler Service, offering unparalleled round-the-clock personal attention for every guest. Trained in the English tradition, the butlers provide ever-present yet unobtrusive service while anticipating guests’ needs and customizing each guest’s stay according to his or her specific tastes and preferences.

“It is this unparalleled level of personal service, unprecedented in mainland China, which really mark the St Regis hotels apart from their competitors,” said Cary Gray, General Manager of The St Regis Shanghai.

Facilities of the new St Regis Shanghai include:

Five food and beverage outlets (Italian, Chinese, International and an intimate lobby lounge and an executive lounge). Located on the top floor, Danieli’s, the modern Italian restaurant, has commanding views of Pudong, the Huang Pu River and the Bund.

1,000 square meters of banquet and meeting space.

The Executive Lounge on the 39th and 40th floors offering complimentary cocktails every evening to residents.

High-speed Internet connection in all guestrooms.

A Spa & Fitness facility with indoor swimming pool, tennis court, games room and salons for special massage and body care treatments.

A 24-hour business center.

A beauty salon.

A variety of high-class retail shops.

The Unique St. Regis Brand – A Legacy Of Elegance, Service and Style

The hallmark of every St. Regis hotel is that each guest enjoys an incredibly personalized and pampered experience. The unique St. Regis brand reflects a relaxed and timeless elegance. It is defined by extraordinary luxury and outstanding service. Each hotel offers round-the-clock butler service anticipating guests’ every need, excellent restaurants that stand on their own, and exceptional function facilities, making every St. Regis the perfect setting for the most prestigious events.

Colonel John Jacob Astor built the original St. Regis in New York City in 1904. His mission was to bring the feeling of Old World charm, service and hospitality to the New World. This legendary hotel is consistently ranked as one of the world's finest. Today, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts also includes properties in Washington, D.C., Houston, Los Angeles, Aspen, Monarch Beach, Rome and Beijing. In the next 5 years, more St. Regis hotels will open in other key gateway cities in Asia Pacific, such as Kuala Lumpur. Exclusive Opening Offer at The Regis Shanghai

To mark the opening of The St. Regis Shanghai, which is set to offer new standards of luxury accommodation in Shanghai, guests can enjoy an exclusive Opening Package Offer from 28th July 2001 to 30th September 2001.

The highlights of the package include customized and discreet service by the legendary St. Regis butlers, as well as the following:

Airport greeting limousine transfer to or from the Hongqiao or Pudong International Airports

Personal welcome and in room check-in at the hotel for all guests by the St. Regis butlers

Unsurpassed accommodation in the most spacious guestrooms in Shanghai

Daily Buffet Breakfast in the all-day dining restaurant, “Saints”

Access to a comprehensive range of hotel facilities including extensive meeting facilities, a large indoor swimming pool, tennis court, and health and fitness center.

The St. Regis Shanghai’s Opening Package Offer is available from US$160, and is subject to a 15% surcharge.

Every St. Regis hotel is created to be the best in each city in which it operates, and The St. Regis Shanghai is no exception. Located in the heart of the newly-emerging business district of Pudong, the 40-storey property features 318 deluxe guestrooms, including 48 exquisite suites. The stylish rooms, designed by the leading international hotel interiors specialist Hirsch Bedner & Associates, are the largest in Shanghai, with each standard room measuring 48 square meters. It is also the only hotel in Shanghai to offer all guests 24 hour butler service, providing a “one-stop” total business solution.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 725 properties in 80 countries and 120,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. With internationally renowned brands, Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchiser of hotels and resorts including: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, W brands, as well as Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts.