Le Méridien Continues Strong Expansion in Asia Pacific With Announcement of Le Méridien Suvarnabhumi Golf Resort & Spa 

Le Méridien Suvarnabhumi Golf Resort & Spa will be one of the first international upscale properties to be located proximate to the new airport of Bangkok

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc’s global hotel brand Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, continues to expand its presence in Asia Pacific with the signing of Le Méridien Suvarnabhumi Golf Resort & Spa, Thailand. Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Summit Windmill Golf Club Co., Limited announced the agreement today to manage this brand new resort in Samut Prakan, just south east of Bangkok and approximately 3 miles from the new Suvarnabhumi International Airport of Bangkok, Thailand ( which opens in late September 2006 ). This newly built resort, which will open in July 2008, will also be one of the first international upscale hotels to be built in the up and coming Suvarnabhumi area, where the new airport is located.

"We are thrilled to be announcing what will be another stunning Le Méridien resort in Thailand! Le Méridien is recognized by global travelers for its style, originality and passion for art, architecture, food, fashion, music and film. Samut Prakan is an ancient town of the Ayuttaya period and is home to various historical and cultural sites of Thailand. With the opening of the new airport this month, Samut Prakan district is certainly a desirable location as it will attract many more residential and commercial developments as well as traffic to this area. This mixed-use development’s unique concept will appeal to both corporate and leisure travelers and perfectly complements the preferences of our guests.” said Miguel Ko, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific.

Starwood currently operates 12 hotels in Thailand – Bangkok, Chiangmai, Samui, Pattaya, Krabi and Phuket, with 6 under development in Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Samui, Chiangmai, Pattaya and Hua Hin.

The 214-room golf resort and spa will be located in Samut Prakarn district, within the 160-acre mixed-used enclave comprising Summit Windmill Golf Club, an 18-hole Nick Faldo designed golf course and serviced apartments. The resort is a 40-minute drive from Bangkok on the newly completed highway and is well located to cater to small and medium sized meetings and incentive groups from Bangkok and proximate Southeast Asian countries, the weekend leisure market, and airport- related corporate business.

Other facilities include a 1,500 square meter spa with 8 treatment rooms, health club, 900 square meters of meeting space, 4 restaurants and an outdoor swimming pool.

Originating in Paris, Le Méridien 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 different countries, almost 70 percent of the Le Méridien 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.

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 Méridien(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 www.starwoodhotels.com.