Shanghai Prepares to Welcome the Highly-anticipated Opening of Le Royal Meridien Shanghai

Shanghai Prepares to Welcome the Highly-anticipated Opening of Le Royal Meridien Shanghai

September 18, 2006

    SHANGHAI, China, Sept. 18 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- In
less than one month, Shanghai will witness the opening of a
new urban icon: Le Royal Meridien Shanghai.  This 770 room,
66-story contemporary styled hotel will stand out
prominently in the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai, dubbed as
the "Paris of the East".  Anticipated opening is
25th September 2006. 

    Le Meridien is recognized by global travelers for its
style, originality and passion for art, architecture, food,
fashion, music and film.  Le Royal Meridien Shanghai will
offer worldly travelers a culturally-rich and sophisticated
accommodation in Shanghai.  Stylish with an ultra-modern
design, Le Royal Meridien Shanghai is located in the center
of Shanghai and is one of the city's tallest landmarks at 66
stories high.  The hotel's location is one of the best in
Shanghai -- in the historic Nanjing Road East opposite the
People's Square, and overlooking the cultural district
featuring the Shanghai Museum and the Shanghai Grand
Theater which plays host to various local and international
festivals and performances.  The iconic Shanghai Bund is a
short walk down the Nanjing Pedestrian Walkway, China's
historic and most bustling shopping street, which is just
beside the hotel. 

    All 770 rooms and suites provide a 42" plasma TV,
DVD/CD player, rain shower system, wireless and High Speed
Internet Access, and floor to ceiling glass windows.  With
10 exciting restaurants and bars, 2,000 square meters of
meeting space and a city spa & wellness center, the
hotel offers facilities to match the preferences and likes
of travelers.

    "As we expand our footprint around the globe,
particularly in Asia Pacific, we search for communities
that, like Le Meridien embrace culture and
creativity," said Miguel Ko, President of Starwood
Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific.  "With the energy
of cosmopolitan Shanghai, the melting of diverse cultures
here, its international and sophisticated corporate
presence and thriving downtown, Shanghai is the perfect
location for the brand," elaborated Ko.

    Shanghai awaits with a special opening offer of Le
Royal Meridien Shanghai, at RMB1,880 per night including
one buffet breakfast.  This special introductory offer is
subject to terms and conditions and is valid until December
31, 2006.  For further information and reservations, call
Tel [phone] now or log onto
http://www.lemeridien.com/shanghai . 

    Note to Editors: 

    Le Meridien

    Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts, with its portfolio of
more than 120 luxury and upscale hotels in 52 countries
worldwide, is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Worldwide, Inc.  The majority of Le Meridien properties are
located in the world's top cities and resorts throughout
Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle
East. In the 2005 Luxury Brand Status Index survey Le
Meridien was recognised as one of the top 15 luxury hotel
brands. For more information, please visit
http://www.lemeridien.com . 

    Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

    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.