Le Royal Meridien Shanghai -- New Home of European Luxury and Style in the `Paris of the East' Opens September 25, 2006

Le Royal Meridien Shanghai -- New Home of European Luxury and Style in the `Paris of the East' Opens September 25, 2006

September 26, 2006

    SHANGHAI, China, Sept. 26 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- With a
traditional lion dance to signify an auspicious beginning,
and a cadre of government dignitaries, property owners, and
senior hotel representatives, Le Royal Meridien Shanghai, a
member of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
(NYSE: HOT) property, opened its doors this week in the
heart of vibrant and sophisticated Shanghai.

    Representatives from the hotel's ownership Shanghai
Shimao Group, Shanghai Municipal People's Congress, and
Shanghai Tourism Administrative Commission, along with 1200
other invited guests attended the opening ceremonies.

    "As we aggressively expand the global footprint of
Le Meridien, we remain focused on destinations that embrace
culture and creativity.  Our clientele is one that cares
deeply about art, fashion, film and design, and with
Shanghai's vibrant arts scene, rich cultural institutions
and position as an international business epicenter, there
is no better location for a Le Meridien," stated Eva
Zeigler, senior vice president of Le Meridien brand.  

    Located at the pulse point of this exhilarating city,
between historic Nanjing Road East and the greenery of
People's Square, is Le Royal Meridien, the new urban icon
of ultra modern design.  Rising 66 stories in a sleek
fa?ade of shimmering slate, the hotel will be the tallest
in Shanghai Puxi. Designed by world-renowned Bilkey Llinas
& Associates, the distinctive building adheres to
strict Feng Shui design principles.  The two antennas aimed
at the sky represent greatness and the sharp edges of the
building symbolize a "Bagua," the Chinese mirror
placed in front of residences designed to ward off evil and
ensure prosperity and happiness.  

    "Just as the multi-dimensional city of Shanghai is
changing the way the world does business in Asia, so too,
will Le Royal Meridien Shanghai redefine the concept of
"business lifestyle and hospitality," said Akram
Touma, hotel general manager. "Every detail of the
property from design to architectural services, amenities
and technological features, will appeal to savvy business
and leisure travelers alike. 

    The 770 guest rooms and suites with floor-to-ceiling
windows provide dramatic views of the Huangpu River,
People's Park and ever-changing Shanghai skyline with its
storied skyscrapers, miles of neon and 19 million
inhabitants.  Each guest room includes individually
controlled air conditioning, 42'' plasma TV with satellite
TV programs with DVD, VCD and CD player, international
direct dual lines telephone, hair dryers, coffee/tea making
facilities, in-room safe, wireless & Broadband internet
access, glass bathroom with rain shower system and a
central floating wash basin, and separate sofa seating.
Suites measure from 48 square meters to 377 square meters
and consist of a living room and one or two bedrooms,
spacious bathroom, working area and sofa. 

    The hotel is designed to handle a variety of events,
from small board meetings to executive conferences, galas
and weddings.  It has more than 2,000 square meters of
conference space, including: two grand ballrooms with
natural light, five meeting rooms and one VIP room. 
Stylish and fully equipped with built in technology, the
full conference facilities include a simultaneous
translation system, state of the art audio and video
equipment, sound system, LCD projector and screen,
professional lighting equipment, high-speed internet access
and computer rental.

    Eight private luxury treatment suites at the property's
Le Spa offer a welcome counterpoint to the frenetic energy
of Shanghai.  The Le Spa experience is an eclectic fusion
of Asian culture, Chinese wellness and European treatments
designed to restore and revitalize even the weariest road
warriors.

    Le Royal Meridien Shanghai features 10 restaurants and
bars offering a variety of cuisines from around the globe. 
Le Bistro, an all day dining restaurant, offers a mix of all
time favorites as expected by international travelers, and
Asian and western dishes developed with a creative eye and
elegantly presented.  Authentic Cantonese cuisine with
Shanghainese and Sichuanese signature dishes is available
at Ai Mei Chinese Restaurant.  Traditional French cuisine
with flavors and ingredients of the Mediterranean is
offered at Allure French Restaurant while Favola
Ristorante, Pizzeria and Wine Bar presents dishes with an
Italian flair.  Cocktails, coffee and tea, snacks and High
Tea are available throughout the day at Le Salon Lobby
Lounge and fresh juices at Chill Juice Bar. 789 Nanjing Lu
Semi-Private Club on the topmost three levels of the hotel
features a seafood ice bar, cigar room and private lounge.

    A special soft opening rate of RMB 1,880.00 per room,
per night (inclusive of breakfast) is now being offered.  

    For more information or reservations, please call the
hotel at (86 21) 3318 9999, or email at
[e-mail], or visit
http://www.lemeridien.com/royalshanghai .

    Le Meridien is recognized by global travelers for its
style, originality and passion for art, architecture, food,
fashion, music and film.  Originating in Paris, Le Meridien
epitomizes European service culture, with a commitment to
offering guests a truly authentic experience, respecting
local culture and appealing to the curious and progressive
guest.  With more than 120 properties in 52 countries,
almost 70 percent of Le Meredien properties are located in
Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East with an
aggressive growth plan in North American and Asia-Pacific
currently underway. For more information, please visit
http://www.lemeridien.com . 

    Shanghai Shimao Group is one of Asia Pacific's leading
real estate developers.  Shimao currently has five main
projects under development in China and is primarily
focused on the high-end residential and retail market
sectors.  Le Royal Meridien Shanghai is Shanghai Shimao
Group's first major luxury hotel project.

    Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of
the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with
approximately 850 properties in more than 95 countries and
145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties.
Starwood(R) Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator
and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following
internationally renowned brands: St. Regis(R), The Luxury
Collection(R), Sheraton(R), Westin(R), Four Points(R) by
Sheraton, W(R), Le Meridien(R) and the recently announced
Aloft(SM). Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation
Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and
operators of high quality vacation interval ownership
resorts. For more information, please visit
http://www.starwoodhotels.com .

    For more information, please contact:

     Judith A. Los Banos (Ms.)
     Director of Marketing Communications
     Le Royal Meridien Shanghai
     Tel:   [phone] x8042
     Fax:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

SOURCE  Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.