| Starwood Hotels & Resorts has received the | | | | internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The |
| World Travel Award for ‘Africa’s Leading | | | | Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le |
| Hotel Brand’ at a prestigious ceremony that took | | | | Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by |
| place in Durban, South Africa, on 11 May 2009. The | | | | Sheraton, and the recently launched AloftSM, and |
| most important night for Africa’s travel and | | | | ElementSM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood |
| tourism industry, the World Travel Awards celebrate | | | | Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier |
| the achievements of some of the region’s finest | | | | developers and operators of high quality vacation |
| travel brands with more than 500 African | | | | interval ownership resorts. For more information, |
| organizations nominated. | | | | please visit |
| | | | | Starwood Hotels & Resorts has received the |
| “It is an honor for us to receive such a | | | | World Travel Award for ‘Africa’s Leading |
| prestigious prize and it is a great reward for our | | | | Hotel Brand’ at a prestigious ceremony that took |
| hotels in Africa. Our associates take pride in making | | | | place in Durban, South Africa, on 11 May 2009. The |
| each guest stay memorable and this recognition | | | | most important night for Africa’s travel and |
| highlights the superior customer experience found in | | | | tourism industry, the World Travel Awards celebrate |
| our world-class hotels operating here” | | | | the achievements of some of the region’s finest |
| commented Hassan Ahdab, Vice President, Regional | | | | travel brands with more than 500 African |
| Director, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Africa and | | | | organizations nominated. |
| the Indian Ocean, “Starwood will continue to | | | | |
| deliver outstanding guest experiences to travelers | | | | “It is an honor for us to receive such a |
| whilst continuing to strengthen our presence in this | | | | prestigious prize and it is a great reward for our |
| thriving market”. | | | | hotels in Africa. Our associates take pride in making |
| | | | | each guest stay memorable and this recognition |
| In addition to Starwood Hotels & Resorts taking | | | | highlights the superior customer experience found in |
| home the award for the Africa’s Leading Hotel | | | | our world-class hotels operating here” |
| Brand, three individual Starwood hotels were also | | | | commented Hassan Ahdab, Vice President, Regional |
| recognized at the ceremony. Le Royal Mansour | | | | Director, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Africa and |
| Méridien Casablanca was voted Morocco's Leading | | | | the Indian Ocean, “Starwood will continue to |
| Hotel, Le Méridien Douala received the accolade of | | | | deliver outstanding guest experiences to travelers |
| Cameroon’s Leading Hotel and the prestigious | | | | whilst continuing to strengthen our presence in this |
| title of Africa’s Leading Hotel went to the | | | | thriving market”. |
| Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa. | | | | |
| | | | | In addition to Starwood Hotels & Resorts taking |
| The World Travel Awards were launched in 1993 | | | | home the award for the Africa’s Leading Hotel |
| with the aim of encouraging the travel and tourism | | | | Brand, three individual Starwood hotels were also |
| industry to embrace the pursuit of excellence. The | | | | recognized at the ceremony. Le Royal Mansour |
| annual ceremony gains international recognition by | | | | Méridien Casablanca was voted Morocco's Leading |
| focusing on one of the most important aspects of | | | | Hotel, Le Méridien Douala received the accolade of |
| travel and tourism – the quality customer | | | | Cameroon’s Leading Hotel and the prestigious |
| experience. Votes are cast by thousands of industry | | | | title of Africa’s Leading Hotel went to the |
| professionals from 170,000 travel and tourism | | | | Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa. |
| organizations in 160 countries. | | | | |
| | | | | The World Travel Awards were launched in 1993 |
| About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide | | | | with the aim of encouraging the travel and tourism |
| Inc. | | | | industry to embrace the pursuit of excellence. The |
| Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is | | | | annual ceremony gains international recognition by |
| one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the | | | | focusing on one of the most important aspects of |
| world with more than 960 properties in approximately | | | | travel and tourism – the quality customer |
| 97 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned | | | | experience. Votes are cast by thousands of industry |
| and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully | | | | professionals from 170,000 travel and tourism |
| integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, | | | | organizations in 160 countries. |
| resorts and residences with the following | | | | |