Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. newest global hotel brand Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts, continues to expand its presence in Asia Pacific with the signing of Le Meridien Pattaya Resort, Thailand. Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Grande Equity Development Company Limited announced the agreement today to manage this brand new resort along Jomtien Beach in Pattaya, which will open in January 2009.

We are thrilled to be announcing a new Le Meridien hotel in Pattaya - especially as this is the first hotel signing in Asia Pacific for Le Meridien since they became part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts in late November 2005, said Michael Wale, Senior Vice President Le Meridien Operations.

This new resort further reinforces our commitment to grow and enhance our newest brand globally with particular emphasis in Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the United States. The brand has a healthy development pipeline already in place, with over 10 hotels planned to open in 2006 in destinations such as India and China, including Le Royal Meridien Shanghai. We see great potential for the Le Meridien brand and it is a perfect complement to the Starwood portfolio, with its European heritage, international footprint and unique guest culture.

Le Meridien Pattaya Resort marks Starwood`s second resort in Pattaya and its 17th in Thailand. This latest addition to the Le Meridien portfolio is an exciting and significant development for Starwood. Besides reflecting our focus to grow this brand, Le Meridien Pattaya Resort also strengthens Starwood`s commitment to Thailand, while further expanding on the wonderful Le Meridien resorts we can offer our guests around the world, said Miguel Ko, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific.

Starwood currently operates 12 hotels in Thailand - Bangkok, Chiangmai, Samui, Pattaya, Krabi and Phuket, with 5 under development in Bangkok, Chiangmai, Pattaya, Phuket and Hua Hin.