One Year Anniversary

Contact: Kim Marshall
310.230.9678
kim@themarshallplan.com

“Today, as we enter the Second Golden Age of Hotels, we have an abundance of guides and rating systems to assist us with our travel choices. …More often than not, they also fail to answer the basic question of which hotel is the best in town. This question is the underlying principle behind … our annual guide to the top accommodations in 100 cities worldwide.”
– ROBB REPORT LUXURY HOTELS, Winter 2007

A YEAR SINCE ITS REOPENING, THE US GRANT HOTEL NAMED AMONG TOP 100 LUXURY HOTELS IN THE WORLD

San Diego Landmark to Add 8,000-square-foot Spa & Indoor Pool
Plus 3,000-square-foot Art Gallery

San Diego, Calif. (December 2007) – THE US GRANT is ringing in the New Year by toasting to a remarkable 2007 that saw the iconic hotel reclaim its position as San Diego’s timeless urban luxury retreat, a distinction that has unfolded since its October 2006 reopening after a meticulous $56 million restoration. With entirely new furnishings, commissioned works of art and traditional décor accented with splashes of modern élan, this 11-story Beaux Arts beauty was redesigned to be a historically-chic hotel in the heart of one of America’s most dynamic cities. The following accolades for this proud member of Starwood’s Luxury Collection™ prove the reopening goal was met:

• Robb Report’s “Top 100 Luxury Hotels in the World” – Explained that a hotel from the first Golden Age is now – after a striking renovation – among the best in the second Golden Age of hotels.
• Conde Nast Traveler’s Hotel Hot List in the May 2007 issue.
• AAA Four Diamond Award for both the hotel and its signature restaurant, The Grant Grill.
• CNN Headline News “Top Hotel” in its “America’s Best Beach Cities” spotlight on May 25, 2007.
• SELF Magazine’s “Best Spa for Lovers of Luxe” in the April 2007 issue.
• The Los Angeles Times in March 2007 – Four Star, “Excellent” Rating.
• The New York Times on July 15, 2007 – Lauded as an In-room Spa Trendsetter in article titled “The Room as Spa, and Vice Versa.”
• Star Magazine on July 30, 2007 – Named a “Hot Hotel” in conjunction with pop singer Christina Aguilera’s weekend stay.
• Lodging Hospitality’s “Design of the Times” Award for US GRANT interior designer Deniece Deuschone.
• C Magazine’s “Most Improved Resort” in the May 2007 issue.

In December 2003, the legendary property was purchased by the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, the Native American tribe who originally settled on the land that now includes downtown San Diego where THE US GRANT resides. Sycuan’s purchase of the hotel represents an ancestral tribute to its local legacy. It was President Ulysses S. Grant who passed an Executive Order in 1875 that set aside 640 acres of East County land for the Kumeyaay Tribes and granted them sovereignty. More than 100 years later, the gaming wealth garnered from that land has allowed the tribe to restore the historic hotel to its original splendor – and beyond. Sycuan announced that in 2008 it will further enhance the property by adding an 8,000-square-foot, 2-story spa with an indoor pool, as well as a signature art gallery.
Having played host to 13 different U.S. Presidents since opening in 1910 and now a favorite of celebrities visiting San Diego – including Stevie Wonder, Quentin Tarantino, Larry King and Tyra Banks –THE US GRANT was also a popular item in the 2007 ESPY Award’s Gift Basket.
The following descriptions from publications that reviewed the hotel during its debut year provide insight to the one-of-a-kind experience every guest can expect at THE US GRANT:

• CONDE NAST TRAVELER: May 2007 – “The US Grant became the swankiest digs downtown overnight when it reopened in November after a ‘$56’ million retrofit that swept away almost everything but the original chandeliers. The cool blue hues throughout take their cue from both the presidential seal and the blue Belgian marble of the original 1910 lobby, while the 270 guest rooms flaunt Persian carpets and stylish retro-Baroque furniture offset by abstract black-and-white art. A lot of thought (and money) went into the bathrooms, especially the showers with their Escher-esque tiles.”

_ USA TODAY: December 15, 2006 – “Traditionalists and conventioneers are lining up to book at a just re-opened grande-dame hotel-the 96-year-old US Grant. … Fans of grande-dame hotels will love just-renovated The US Grant.”

_ THE LOS ANGELES TIMES: March 14, 2007 – “The whole hotel is a time capsule … The
hotel's phoenix-like resurrection wouldn't be as remarkable without its absolute authenticity.

From the moment you enter the lobby, there's a sense of time suspended: A grand piano resonates, lush, silky carpets absorb your steps, and employees radiate a genuine, almost old-fashioned sense of pride in fine service.

Although the hotel is a poem to the past, its attitude is au courant, particularly in the historic Grant Grill. The restaurant barred women until 1971, but it now is a sophisticated spot where guests dine on contemporary fare and select from a growing wine list.”

• ELITE TRAVELER: March/April 2007 – “History loves company and the newly renovated 96-year-old US Grant Hotel in San Diego is a dazzling host. … Spa Suites on the top floor of the Beaux Arts icon feature oversized bathrooms with infinity tubs, ceiling spouts, color therapy soaks and grand views of the San Diego skyline. Two palatial Presidential Suites and a Penthouse Suite are worthy of the presidents and statesmen who have slept there…”

• WINE SPECTATOR: November 15, 2006 – “… The Grant retains its historical appeal, but a new sense of artsy poshness has been added along with modern amenities.”

• CONCIERGE.COM: May 2007 – “In this case, the heroes are the Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Indians, who used capital from their nearby casino to buy the hotel and pour $56 million into its renovation. Unveiled in October 2006, the new-again U.S. Grant echoes the stately grandeur of its past without feeling dated.”
• LOS ANGELES WEDDINGS: Fall 2007 – “Today, the hotel’s romantic grandeur waits to sweep guests off their feet. ... The 1910 Harrison Albright-designed hotel makes guests feel like modern-day royalty…The Beaux Arts-style white Carrara marble staircase in the lobby, complete with alabaster banister, would garner a nod of approval from Scarlett O’Hara.

Although it’s listed in the National Register of Historical Places, the hotel offers guest rooms that exemplify modern luxury. … The [Celestial] ballroom professes a moody sophistication with silvery blue tones, a coved ceiling, and mahogany-clad columns. The ballroom’s stage is ideal for exchanging vows framed by velvet curtains. And when the last vow is uttered and it’s time for the kiss, the grand piano is available for breaking into strains of the Etta James classic “At Last.”

• 805 LIVING: December 2006 – “You may never get to sleep at the White House, but you can sleep where over a dozen U.S. presidents have snoozed … This national landmark is one of the most distinctive in the country.

The food should quickly reestablish Grant Grill as one of the city’s premiere dining spots. Breads, including a delicious sage-herb brioche, are baked fresh daily, and signature dishes include seared Baja scallops with yellow beets, tenderloin of Kobe beef in a reduction of pinot noir, and a daily fruit sorbet served between courses.”

• HOSPITALITY DESIGN: January/February 2007 – US Grant interior designer Deniece Duscheone was named recipient of hotel design award.

• TRAVELAGE WEST: August 6, 2007 – “…you’ll be hard-pressed to leave the comfort and luxury of the US Grant for too long, which is a sure sign that the hotel will once again become an integral part of San Diego.”

The landmark hotel has not just garnered rave reviews from the media in its first year. THE US GRANT also achieved the second-highest scores in the Luxury Collection’s North American division for both the Guest Satisfaction Index and the Meeting Planner Satisfaction Index. And, November 2007 guest reviews from www.expedia.com include glowing comments such as: “Absolutely Gorgeous!” … “A jewel in downtown San Diego” … “Great Experience” … “Excellent Hotel – would definitely go back!”
THE US GRANT™ is the world-class embodiment of the history, vitality and dynamic character of Downtown San Diego. The landmark hotel re-opened in October 2006 as a member of the elite Starwood Luxury Collection after a meticulous $56 million renovation and historic restoration by its owner, the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation. Located at 326 Broadway, San Diego, Calif. 92101 and originally opened in 1910, the 11-story hotel has been listed on the National Registrar of Historic Places since 1979. The historically chic hotel offers 270 guest rooms, including 47 suites; 33,000 square feet of Ballroom and special event space weaving elegance and history with 21stcentury technology, and a contemporary interpretation of the legendary Grant Grill and Lounge. The hotel sits at the edge of the city’s trendy Gaslamp Quarter, theater and financial districts and minutes from San Diego Bay, Balboa Park and the area’s famed visitor attractions. With entirely new furnishings, décor and original works of art in both public spaces and guest rooms, THE US GRANT is an urban sanctuary in the heart of one of America’s most cosmopolitan cities. For additional in information, please call (619) 232-3121, or visit THE US GRANT online at: www.luxurycollection.com/usgrant

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® Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, Sheraton®, Westin®, Four Points® by Sheraton, W®, Le Méridien® and the recently announced AloftSM and ElementSM Hotels. 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.

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Venice Beach Eco Cottages

Filmmaker Davis Guggenheim likens Venice to a ‘simpler, kinder New York’…The Venice boardwalk – a Felliniesque pageant of roller skaters, T-shirt vendors, bongo players, bodybuilders and fire eaters – had become the most popular destination in Southern California after Disneyland.”
– BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY by Peter Haldeman
Town & Country Magazine, October 2007

FACT SHEET

WHAT: Three charming, one-of-a-kind beach cottages, originally built in 1922 and renovated from the ground up in 2007 in a completely sustainable, earth-friendly manner. One-time crack houses have been reborn into idyllic, solar-powered urban retreats.

WHEN: Available for weekly rentals, private events and location shooting
starting December 1, 2007.

WHERE: Four blocks from the beach and trendy Abbot Kinney Blvd. in the
eclectic Los Angeles beach community of Venice.

WHO: Husband & wife entrepreneurs Karel Samsom and Cynthia Foster
blended their respective backgrounds as an environmental economist and an actor/artist to create the cottages, which were approached like an art project. The project was guided by a clear statement of their values, with an emphasis on The Triple Bottom Line Principle -- People, Planet, Profits.

WHY: • Experience L.A. like a local … In a restorative environment.
• Small is the New Big: The cottages make smaller footprints, take up less space and energy and are entirely carbon neutral.
• The cottages’ sustainable design and “Pick a Charity” program make it easy for guests to do good when traveling.
• Everything is eco-friendly – from the roof and floor tiles to the organic mattresses, linens and non-toxic cleaning products.

DESCRIPTION: Three cozy, one-bedroom cottages on the same lot; 450 sq. ft.;
linked by decks made of composite, recycled wood and made
private by a picket fence made from FSC-Certified Douglas Fir.

• Cottage 1: “Papa Hemingway” – A tribute to Hemingway; darker wood stains; a sophisticated, masculine look.
• Cottage 2: “Aunt Zoe’s Place” – ’40s/’50s kitsch; lake cabin theme; full of vintage knick knacks and contemporary art.
• Cottage 3: “Le Bebé” – Candied Baroque interior design; mid-century modern, late 1960’s France; color theme is Parisian blue, candy apple red and chrome.

INTERIOR DESIGN: Kelly LaPlante, Organic Interior Design
Cynthia Foster, architectural, landscape and interior design

COTTAGE FEATURES: • Solar Powered, totally off the grid.
• All furniture is sustainable: Couches made from recycled polyester; organic mattresses and linens; creatively repurposed objects throughout.
• Bathroom floors made of corks from wine bottles.
• Fireplaces with mantles hand-hewn from the eucalyptus tree – said to have been planted 90 years ago by Venice Founder Abbot Kinney – that is still growing outside the cottages.
• Reclaimed craftsman windows.
• Vintage stained glass accent windows.
• Widescreen TV, home theater system, iPod doc, WiFi.
• Kitchen Skylights – passive solar energy.
• Vintage kitchen Hoosiers.
• Vintage farm sinks and clawfoot tubs.
• Energy-efficient, LG refrigerator/freezer, washer/dryer/dishwasher.
• Dual-flush toilets.
• No/low VOC paints used throughout.

OUTSIDE: Energy-efficient Dimension One hot tub on deck between Papa Hemingway and Aunt Zoe’s cottages: costs $15 a month to heat; water cleaned with ozone and UV light; tub exterior made from recycled milk jugs.

Run-off management system and drought resistant landscaping.

CHARITIES: Pick a Charity: 3% of gross revenues will go to charities selected
by guests from a list on the Venice Beach Eco-Cottages Website.

ATTITUDE: Pet-friendly (homemade organic dog treats provided); Gay-friendly; Earth-friendly.

ADDRESS: 447 Grand Boulevard, Venice, CA 90291

WEB SITE: www.venicebeachecocottages.com

PHONE/FAX: P: 866.802.3110 F: 310.399.3256

DISTANCE TO
AIRPORT: 15 minutes

CLIMATE: Mediterranean; Average temperature: 72 degrees and sunny.

MEDIA CONACT: Kim Marshall, 310.452.1234
kim@themarshallplan.com
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Dimension One Spas

DIMENISION ONE SPAS CELEBRATES THIRTY YEARS OF INNOVATION & LEADERSHIP
Receives Spasearch Award of Excellence
Focuses on Wellness & Romance for 2007

     Vista, CA – The spring 2007 issue of Spasearch Magazine™ named Dimension One Spas® (D1®) one of only five hot tub companies in the U.S. to satisfy the rigorous certification standards in the customer survey and independent audit. D-1 Spas – known as an industry leader and innovator in designing and manufacturing luxury home hydrotherapy and aquatic fitness products – received the coveted Spasearch Certified Award as it celebrated its 30th Anniversary in January 2007, by introducing new and enhanced products that target the baby boomer market and focus on wellness and romance.

     With high tech and design innovations reminiscent of each year’s developments in the automobile industry, this award-winning, California-based hot tub company holds over 30 patents, more than any other hot tub manufacturer. The family-owned, $60 million a year business is known for introducing advances in materials science and water handling technology to bring customers the most advanced spas in the world.

     "We are thrilled that our industry finally has a certification system based on independent testing,” said Bob Hallam, company co-founder and CEO. “Everybody wins when consumers can get unbiased information about which hot tub products are the best of the best.”

     In response to the changing needs of their target aging baby boomer customer, for 2007, D1 is highlighting two designs among its four distinctly different product lines that bring the benefits of wellness to your backyard.

     Aquatic Fitness Systems® – The AquaFit® 19 Dual Temp, the line’s flagship model, is the ultimate hybrid of fitness and hydrotherapy. The unique 19-foot high-tech tub makes it possible to swim stationary laps; row for a robust upper body and arm workout; attach specially designed bands for resistance training; run or jog in place for cardiovascular conditioning – all in cooler water -- and then when your routine is done, muscles can be soothed with a relaxing hydrotherapy body massage in the hot tub section of the pool. This watery workout is an ideal environment for low impact exercises to tone, shape and enhance flexibility, while the body is suspended in buoyant security. Ideal for weekend warriors; aging boomers; overweight exercisers and athletes needing rehabilitation the AFS retails for about $25,000.

     Amore Bay – D-1 believes the pleasure principle is alive and well in 2007, so they
designed Amore Bay to help keep relationships healthy, promoting lots of warm
contact. This warm water Shangri-La features soft, smooth edges, a special 8-foot
“playground” area, his & her underwater massage loungers with acupressure massage
jets, mood lighting, a built-in wireless stereo system (that welcomes IPOD downloads).

     The intriguing interplay of light, sound & warmth on this sexy new, top of the line model from from the Bay Collection of D-1 spas were meant to help couples cuddle. There are also more jets with more power in the tub, a hand-held massager and an upgraded filtration system. With so many unique design features, this tub can also double as a beautiful water feature in your backyard! Prices range between $16,000 and $17,000. Amore Bay is also designed to be energy efficient so heating costs are approximately $15.00 a month.


Unique features of D1 Bay Collection Series of Hot Tubs:

WELLNESS:

     - Hydronomics: D1’s extensive study of human anatomy, ergononmics, fluid mechanics, aquatic massage, acupressure, and reflexology led them to the development of a new field they named "hydronomics." Using state-of-the-art modeling software, D1 engineers design hot tubs in virtual space, giving them unprecedented control over materials, and thus ensuring the ultimate in comfort.

     - Dynamic Massage Sequencer: Introduced in 1999, DMS was the world’s first programmable hydrotherapy massager. The built-in massager focuses on 6 specific therapy zones and offers pause and speed controls.

     - Ultralounge: This "spa-within-a-spa" lounge chair-inspired section of the tub features patented Bioform seating in a no-float design, sculpted leg contours and acupressure therapy for wrists and hands, providing the ultimate in full-body hydrotherapy.

     - Neck Jet Pillow: The first and only height-adjustable spa neck jet pillow.

CLEAN ENERGY:

     - UltraPure PLUS Water Management: This patented system purifies the spa’s water 24/7, using less energy than a 100 watt bulb to ozonate spa water anytime the tub is in use. It now uses ultraviolet light as a germicidal agent, Only D1 hot tubs with UltraPure PLUS offer what amounts to a double-dose of microorganism destruction, once with ozone (a patented D1 process) and once with the new UV light germicidal.

     - Envirotect: The Ultralife slip-resistant interior of each tub is surrounded by a durable, all-weather exterior made from 100% recycled plastic (HDPE).

     - Fast Flo Heater: The most durable and reliable spa heater on the market. The variable output on this stainless steal heater provides optimal heat recovery and lower energy consumption.

     - 100% Insulated: In 1981 D1 Spas was the first company to manufacture a fully insulated spa for in-ground or above-ground use. Today their hot tubs are 100% foam insulated with closed-cell urethane -- like commercial freezers -- not only absorbing equipment noise for the quietest operation possible, but also minimizing heat loss to ensure the lowest energy costs.

     - Vision: This specially designed cleaning cartridge lasts up to 6 months; minimizing chlorine usage while destroying 99% of bacteria on contact, leaving your water sparkling clean and feeling soft while significantly reducing chemical maintenance.

HIGH TECH:

     - Sonic Immersion System: The next generation in hot tub audio systems. The new Wireless SIS is fully integrated into the spa’s control system, allowing you to listen to music played on your home stereo via a wireless link with a range of 100 feet And, of course the system connects to all MP3 players!

     - Scrolling Message Center: A digital message display automatically manages critical spa functions such as filtration, heating and self-diagnostic programs, reminding you of when it is time to clean filter or change water.

     - MDrive Spa Controller: Dimension One Spas has created the first menu-driven
spa control system that allows you to effortlessly direct every feature in your spa toward your personal relaxation. It features large buttons; a wide, brightly lit, easy-to-read screen; a scrolling message display feature; and an intuitive menu structure that makes the M•Drive one of the industry’s most ergonomically friendly spa controllers.

DESIGN:

     - Soft Touch Luminosity: The soft, warm glow of this unique lighting system offers 3 different lighting modes – brilliant, fountain & candle – adding a visual dimension to enhance mood and help soften the edges of your day.

     - LIQUID FX OPTIONS:

     - Fountains: D1 has tamed nature by molding water into gravity-defying artwork. The choice one-of-a-kind Liquid FX fountain styles include: Rain, Flame, Cascade, Umbrella, Babbling Brook, and Waterfall. New to this year’s Amore Bay model is a four foot water brook adds a relaxing sound to the water features.

     - Architectural Uplighting: built aesthetically into the spa’s cabinet, creates a beautiful exterior lighting effect as well as safe passage to and from the hot tub.

     - Tile Line Illumination: D-1 is the only hot tub manufacturer to offer color tile inside the spa’s shell that call also be illuminated.

     - Mood Enhancers:™ Hot tub owners place small plastic domes, which feature unique die-cut design patterns, over their hot tub’s bartop LED lights for a light show of their choice. Customers can choose from among four unique designs: Starfish, Starship, Stars and Swirl.

Dimension One Spas® (D1®) was founded in 1977 in Vista, California by Bob and Linda Hallam. By combining innovations in materials science and water handling technology, D1 has set an industry benchmark and today is the leader in designing and manufacturing luxury home hydrotherapy and aquatic fitness products. The family-owned business is dedicated to bringing customers the most advanced spas in the world -- engineered to rejuvenate both body and mind.

D1 spas and aquatic fitness products are now sold through a network of more than 200 dealers in the United States, and 450 dealers worldwide in 35 countries. The company's four product lines include a selection of home hydrotherapy (ranging from $5,000-$18,000) and aquatic fitness products (ranging from $26k-$36k) that meet a variety of consumer needs and budgets: D1 Reflections®, D1 Bay Collection®, AFS- Aquatic Fitness Systems® and @ Home Hot Tubs®.

Holding more than 30 patents – more than any other company in the industry – D1 has earned accolades and awards from Consumer’s Digest, Robb Report, Poolandspa.com, Quality Buy and more, and in 2004 Bob Hallam was named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year. D1 proudly supports Vision of Children, a national organization dedicated to the eradication of blindness and vision disorders in industrialized nations. For more information about Dimension One Spas, its products and practices, visit www.dimensionone.com

Sheraton Morrea Lagoon Resort & Spa

Contact: Kim Marshall
310-452-1234
kim@themarshallplan.com

SHERATON MOOREA LAGOON RESORT & SPA
ESCAPE TO “BALI HAI” – THE “MAGICAL ISLAND”
AND STAY AT THE MOST LUXURIOUS HOTEL ON MOOREA

MOOREA, TAHITI – It’s known as the “Magical Island” with its impossibly lush gardens, majestic velvet green mountains and mist-covered waterfalls, where Captain Cook and his explorers first landed in Tahiti …and where the soldiers in the musical "South Pacific" dreamed of escaping to.

Ah, Moorea. The ultimate enchantress, mysterious sister to the larger island of Tahiti in the French Polynesian islands. Surrounded by colorful coral reef, with sheer, imposing mountains that are mirrored in the dark waters of its bays, Moorea is also called the “Island of Love". The heart-shaped island is considered to be the inspiration for James Michener's mythical romantic island of Bali Hai, and the natural backdrop for the legendary paintings of French impressionist, Paul Gauguin.

What better place to experience the dramatic splendor of Moorea than from an overwater bungalow at the island's most luxurious resort, set amidst abundant tropical gardens and complete with its own dazzling 10-acre lagoon? Nestled between the island’s Cook's and Oponohu bays, the luxury resort embraces the white sandy beach along its brilliant turquoise lagoon.

For refinement, romance and escape, the Sheraton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa offers the best of the island and the ultimate island getaway experience, including luxurious thatched-roof overwater bungalows that provide an unforgettable South Seas experience.

Imagine relaxing in the privacy of your overwater bungalow, listening to the soft music of the waves and gazing through the glass “window” in the floor to contemplate the colorful ballet of tropical fish. To see them even closer, you have only to reach for the snorkel & mask provided in your closet and slide along the pontoon ladder into the warm waters of the lagoon.

Guests have a choice of Garden, Beachfront and Overwater Bungalows. On land each fare (Tahitian for house) stands amidst luxurious gardens or on the beachfront. The 42 Garden Bungalows each have an individual garden and 22 are adjoining twin bungalows. And each bungalow features a private outdoor shower, which gives sun-dried a whole new meaning… You can step right out onto the beach from any of the hotel’s 7 Beachfront Bungalows. And finally, Sheraton Moorea has 57 exotic Overwater Bungalows.

Especially popular with honeymooners, the "island on an island" overwater rooms are connected by winding, wooden walkways built on stilts over the lagoon, with the ultimate location being at the end of the overwater walkway in a “Horizon Bungalow,” with 180 degree-views of land & sea.

All of the Sheraton Moorea’s bungalows are finely decorated in Polynesian style with exotic wood and feature private terraces with outside showers, ceiling fans, indoor clawfooted tubs and a separate tile & wood shower. Available in Beachfront or Overwater choices, the single or twin bungalows include all modern conveniences, such as individually-controlled air conditioning, direct dial phone, TV and CD player, safe, mini bar and tea- and coffee-making facilities.

The traditional luxury of its bungalow accommodations and the famed quality of its customer service have made the Sheraton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa one of the best-loved resorts in French Polynesia—and an experience no guest ever forgets.

FROM THE SEA TO THE SPA
The sea beckons from all points of the Sheraton Moorea. In fact, the coral reef surrounding Moorea goes so far out that the crystal clear water is only chest deep in many areas, making it ideal for snorkelers to see a wide variety of marine life. And the hotel offers a myriad of complimentary ways to get wet in the lagoon. Guests can use diving equipment, an outrigger canoe, a pedal-boat or a kayak for a peaceful ride on the blue waters of the lagoon.

Other exciting underwater options include Aqua Walking (a safe and comfortable way to visit the ocean floor); Night Diving (for certified Scuba divers); and a ride on the Aquascope; an ecologically sound small submarine that will take you to visit dolphins, rays and even watch a shark feeding. There are also daily boat tours of the island, including stops to watch spinner dolphins at play and even get out onto the beach of one of the many motus (tiny islands) and have a majestic manta ray swim into your lap!

The Mandara Spa is an oasis of relaxation at the Sheraton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa. Tropical flowers and fruits are the foundation of the treatments and massages, offered under the sun on a terrace, under the Tahitian moonlight or even in the privacy of your own bungalow.

While in Moorea, you will be able to choose from the most extensive selection of black pearls available in the world. Tahiti Perles at the Sheraton Moorea is renowned for its exquisite black pearls found in the ideal conditions of the atolls of the Tuamotu and Gambier archipelagos of French Polynesia.

Hotel guests also have free access to tennis courts and the fitness room. And each evening around sunset at the hotel, guests can observe demonstrations of Polynesian tradition such as coconut palm braiding, wood carving, the making of tapa cloth, mother-of-pearl carving, instructions for tying the native sarong or pareo, lessons in making Tahitian fish marinade, even an initiation to the Tahitian tattoo and Tahitian dance – with an introductory lesson included!

WEDDING, HONEYMOON CAPITAL OF THE WORLD
Finally, if romance is your heart’s desire, you can experience a traditional Polynesian island wedding or renewal of vows, complete with an arrival to the beach by canoe, where you will be greeted by a festive band of local musicians. The bride is prepared for the wedding, massaged with native Monoi Oil and dressed like a Tahitian Princess; while the groom is taken by canoe to a small beach where he is tattooed (with a water soluble, felt-tipped pen) and dressed like a Tahitian Chief. The beautiful, charming ritual is performed in the Marae (Ceremonial Grounds) and translated by an interpreter, while the village's women sing traditional songs of love.

DISCOVERING THE ISLAND OF MOOREA
By Land: The concierge will be happy to arrange diverse ways for you to discover the enchanting island of Moorea. Guests can visit the Opunohu Valley by 4x4, rent cars or scooters or enjoy a circle island tour by bus. Horseback riding with breathtaking views or mountain bike rentals to tour the island at your own pace are also available.

By Sea: Hire a speedboat and its captain to sail around the island with a stop on a motu for a picnic or on a sailboat or canoe for a sunset cruise. Line fishing off a reef or offshore fishing excursions “Tea Nui” are also available. For a slightly faster pace, try water-skiing (beginners and skilled skiers), a ride on a Jet Ski or paragliding!

Whatever you choose to do, you’ll savor the unique serenity and mystery of Moorea, the ultimate island refuge—and you’ll never forget your stay at the Magical Island.

The Sheraton Moorea Resort & Spa, the Sheraton Hotel Tahiti, and the new Luxury Collection resort the Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa -- are the three Starwood Resorts in French Polynesia. For more information, contact your preferred travel professional or 800 782-9488 or visit us on the Web at www.starwoodtahiti.com.

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® Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, Sheraton®, Westin®, Four Points® by Sheraton, W®, Le Méridien® and the recently announced aloftSM. 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.

** Please contact Starwood’s new, toll-free media hotline at (866) 4-STAR-PR
(866-478-2777) for photography or additional information.**

Sheraton Hotel Tahiti

CONTACT: Kim Marshall
310.230.9678
kim@themarshallplan.com

SHERATON HOTEL TAHITI
COMPLETES $10 MILLION WORTH OF ENHANCEMENTS IN 2006
Rooms Redone in Island Colonial Style; WiFi Connections;
New White Sand Beach; Recreated Public Areas & Enhanced Meeting Rooms

Papeete, Tahiti – The Sheraton Hotel Tahiti – built on the very land where Princess Pomare made her home a century before and opened in 1960 as the first Tahitian resort whose design was inspired by Polynesian culture – completed $10 million worth of enhancements in 2006. Now the most convenient hotel to the island nation’s international airport has completely redone the lobby & guest rooms and has added a white sand beach and property-wide Wireless Internet to its popular spa, fitness, leisure & business offerings. Specific enhancements include:

• Each of the spacious 200 rooms and suites have been completely remodeled in Island Colonial style – with mahogany & cane furnishings, coconut tree floors, plantation wooden shutters and marble bathrooms.
• A white sand beach was created along the hotel’s lagoon. The view from the beach reaches across the Sea of Moon to the velvety green peaks of the island of Moorea.
• The Sheraton Hotel Tahiti is now equipped with Wireless Internet access throughout the hotel (even poolside!), underscoring the modern features of this business/airport/leisure hotel in a capital city of an island nation!
• The hotel’s lobby now has been entirely redesigned with new floors, new retail and tour desk areas and a new reception desk crafted from hand-carved South Seas teak, making for a Tahitian arrival experience like no other. The focal point of the lobby staircase remains the one-ton, hand-made Shell Chandelier made of 8,000 mother-of-pearl shells from the famous Tahitians black pearl.
• The hotel’s meeting space -- the largest air-conditioned Banquet Rooms in French Polynesia -- is now equipped with elaborate technology that includes: simultaneous translation, WiFi connection, LCD/Power Point Projection capabilities, and sound & light enhancements.

Just three miles from Faa’a International Airport and one mile from the capital city of Papeete, the Sheraton Hotel Tahiti is an ideal base for exploring the island’s interior, visiting other islands in the archipelago or enjoying the capital’s cultural offerings like the Paul Gaugin Museum and the Pearl Museums, and the island’s famous Marche’ or open market.

As a local landmark, the hotel offers the natural advantages of history and tradition. The Polynesian style and the quality of Sheraton's service have turned the beloved historic hotel into a favorite destination for both the vacation and business traveler.

The most convenient hotel to the only international airport in French Polynesia, Sheraton Hotel Tahiti is also an ideal venue for the country’s emerging corporate and incentive meeting markets.

The Sheraton Hotel Tahiti caters to groups by offering activities like:

• Private themed parties, Beach BBQ’s, picnics or even open air moonlight cinemas on the new white sand beach.
• Cultural workshops to showcase French Polynesian arts, music and crafts.
• Dynamic Polynesian dance performances in the hotel’s beachfront gardens.

Companies are getting rave reviews for holding state-of-the-art meetings at the city hotel and then sending attendees for pre, post or incentive trips to the romantic Sheraton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa – a 30 minute ferry boat ride or 10 minute flight from Papeete – or the luxurious Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa – a 40 minute plane ride from the capital city -- each the most lavish resorts on their respective islands. Also, added to the Starwood portfolio this year is the opulent new St. Regis Resort, Bora Bora, scheduled for a June 2006 opening.

The Mandara Spa at the Sheraton Hotel Tahiti embraces healing traditions of the islands to create exotic treatments using enchanting native ingredients such as coconut milk, ginger, fragrant tiare flowers and aromatic vanilla beans. Treatments can be experienced at the spa – including the popular couple’s massage – or in the privacy of your own room. The spa rooms have open-air balconies with spa gardens, massage tables and tubs for scented baths.

A fully equipped, glass-walled fitness center offers a full complement of free weights and exercise machines as well as a variety of fitness classes—all with a stunning ocean view! Aqua aerobics are offered daily in the resort’s infinity pool with a view of nearby Moorea – the legendary Bali Hai.

For more information, contact your preferred travel professional or 800 782-9488 or visit us on the Web at http://www.starwoodtahiti.com.

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® Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, Sheraton®, Westin®, Four Points® by Sheraton, W®, Le Méridien® and the recently announced aloftSM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts.

Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa

AUTHENTIC & LUXURIOUS BORA BORA NUI RESORT & SPA
OFFERS UNIQUE COMBINATION OF POLYNESIAN TRADITION & SUMPTUOUS COMFORT

     BORA BORA, TAHITI – When the Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa opened in October 2002 as a member of Starwood’s Luxury Collection, it single-handedly raised the bar on luxury resort accommodations in French Polynesia. The resort not only doubled the size and luxury quotient of the signature thatched roof bungalows this South Pacific paradise is known for, but it also created a setting that honors Polynesian tradition. Located on a private island, the Bora Bora Nui features 120 suite-sized villa bungalows – overwater, beachfront and hillside -- a 30,000 square-foot hilltop Mandara Spa and a white sand beach nearly a half mile long.

     This private island resort is southwest of the main island of Bora Bora with its majestic Mount Otemanu, on one of the smaller islands that create an 18-mile ring around a body of turquoise blue waters that author James Michener called “the most beautiful lagoon in the world.” A favorite of experienced world travelers, the Bora Bora Nui has received a number of industry accolades since its opening from publications including: Architectural Digest, Conde Nast Traveler, The Robb Report, Elite Traveler and Cigar Aficionado. Most recently Modern Bride Magazine named the overwater villa bungalows at the resort, the #1 “Ultimate honeymoon suite” in the world.

     Polynesian building traditions were followed throughout, including the use of dried leaves from the "pandanus" plant (called "fara" in Tahitian) for the hand-woven thatched roofing of the villas, as well as hand printed tapa cloth made from the breadfruit tree (called “uru” in Tahitian) to trim the borders of villa interiors. Hand carved, curly kahia wood also fills the public spaces, conveying a truly native feel to the luxurious resort.

     They say that location is everything and the Nui proves the point. Not only is it on Bora Bora’s only motu (islet) with a hill, giving each bungalow sweeping views of the wildly beautiful lagoon, but the resort’s location is also a memorable site in Tahitian lore. The mischievous god Hiro is said to have thrown his spear from the top of the motu’s black lava hill, giving Mt. Otemanu its jagged profile. And, the Nui encircles a sacred cove where ancient islanders gathered for stone fishing festivals. This island lore is celebrated in the original artwork displayed throughout the resort.

Points of difference for the Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa:
_ All of the 120 villas in this $60 million resort are suite-sized (1,000 square feet for 117 villas and to 1,500 square feet for the three Royal Villas) and have ocean views. Typical Polynesian hotel bungalows are 400 sq. ft.

_ Private yacht transfer with onboard check-in.

_ “Floating” overwater lobby.

_ A white sand beach nearly half a mile long and a 1,000 meter infinity pool.

_ Bungalow interiors featuring Indonesian mahogany canopy beds, Italian marble bathtubs, 3 in-floor glass viewing panels for overwater bungalows, satellite television, CD & DVD players, direct dial telephones with computer data ports & voicemail.

_ A hilltop, “indoor/outdoor spa-with-a-view” made up of a main building and three private spa bungalows nestled in the greenery decorating a mound of black lava. This South Pacific-inspired Mandara Spa uses the freshest island ingredients – like tiare, monoi oil, coconut, coffee & vanilla – and specializes in couple’s treatments.

_ The resort also features seven Hillside Spa Villas. Offering guests the same luxurious design as the Overwater & Beach Villas, with amazing views of the azul lagoon and the South Pacific in the distance. Guests booking these accommodations receive one 50-minute spa treatment per day with the room, while enjoying the very best view on the entire resort. Mandara Spa amenities are also provided in a welcome basket for an immediate in-room spa experience.
_ Polynesian picnics, barbecue lunches or romantic dinners under the stars are available on the resort’s idyllic, private islet – the legendary Motu Tapu, a five-minute boat ride from the resort.

_ The Tamure Grill, a “barefeet suggested” authentic Tahitian beachside restaurant with smooth & curly Kahia wood and a sand floor! Mel Gibson’s canoe from Mutiny on the Bounty has been turned into the cold buffet in this casual and friendly eatery.

_ Lanai Dining in the privacy of your own patio with a choice of: Shabu Shabu, Tahitian Barbecue & Zen menu themes. Romantic, private dinners for two set up with tiki torches along the beach are also popular.

_ A gallery of black & white photos of American G.I.’s stationed on Bora Bora during World War II, located in the hallway outside the library and internet room of the resort’s main building.

     The tone of the visit is set when guests step off the plane at the island-flavored, Motu Mute domestic airport and onto the hotel’s private yacht MARUMANA, where they enjoy a chilled towel, cool drink and snack while being checked-in on board during arguably one of the most scenic airport transfers in the world. Upon their arrival to the hotel, guests disembark at a stunning thatched-roof, “floating” lobby, accented with striking black pearl shell chandeliers and windows in the floor to watch the ballet of tropical fish swim by.

     Chef Stephane LeGrand, an Australian who has worked all over the world, heads up the resort’s culinary team with his signature restaurant, the IRIATAI Panoramic Restaurant, featuring French Cuisine with Mediterranean & Polynesian influence. Guests truly come first with a choice of outdoor beach & poolside dining, a panoramic restaurant for breakfast and dinner, a casual island style restaurant, two bars, 24-hour room service and room service breakfast delivered by outrigger canoe for overwater bungalows.

     Bora Bora – known as “Tahiti’s Romantic Island” -- is one of 118 Tahitian islands and atolls that comprise the area officially known as French Polynesia. Scattered over 1.5 million square miles of the eastern South Pacific, the total land area consists of five archipelagoes, each with its own culture, ethnicity and climate. Travel time to Tahiti from the West Coast of the U.S. is approximately 7 _ hours. Bora Bora is a 45-minute airplane ride from the international airport in Papeete on the main island of Tahiti.

     Other Starwood resorts in French Polynesia include: The Sheraton Hotel Tahiti, Le Meridien Tahiti, Sheraton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa, Le Meridien Bora Bora and the new St. Regis Resort, Bora Bora. For more information contact your preferred travel professional or 800-782-9488 or visit us on the Web at www.starwoodtahiti.com.

     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® Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, Sheraton®, Westin®, Four Points® by Sheraton, W®, Le Méridien® and the recently announced AloftSM and ElementSM 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.

** Please contact Starwood’s new, toll-free media hotline at
(866) 4-STAR-PR (866-478-2777) for additional information.**

The U.S Grant

Contact:
Kim S. Marshall
kim@themarshallplan.com
310.230.9678

THE US GRANT, SAN DIEGO’S LANDMARK HOTEL
FLOURISHES FOLLOWING A $52 MILLION RESTORATION

SAN DIEGO, CA – THE US GRANT Hotel in San Diego opened in grand style in October 2006 following an extensive and exacting renovation totaling $52 million. The highly-anticipated unveiling of the revered landmark hotel has set the stage for the property’s return as San Diego’s premier luxury hotel.

THE US GRANT, which opened in 1910 and was built by Ulysses S. Grant Jr. to honor his Civil War hero father, closed its doors in January 2005 for renovations. The reborn, 273-room hotel is a member of Starwood’s prestigious Luxury Collection, which comprises more than 80 one-of-a-kind properties across the globe. With entirely new furnishings, artwork and décor in both public spaces and guest rooms and suites, THE US GRANT is the epitome of a historically chic hotel in the heart of one of America’s most dynamic cities.

“We are delighted to welcome THE US GRANT to the Luxury Collection. The hotel’s historical significance, indigenous qualities and sheer beauty make it a perfect fit within the brand, beautifully complimenting a portfolio which includes The Gritti Palace in Venice, The Princeville in Hawaii and the Hotel Imperial in Vienna,” commented Kerry Hatch, President of the Luxury Collection.

OWNERSHIP: In December 2003, the legendary property was purchased for approximately $45 million by the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, the Native American tribe that originally settled on the land that now includes downtown San Diego where THE US GRANT resides. Sycuan’s purchase of the hotel represents an ancestral tribute to their legacy as it was President Ulysses S. Grant, who in 1875 passed an Executive Order setting aside 640 acres of land in Dehesa Valley in East County for the Kumeyaay Tribes and granted them sovereignty. In late 2005, Sycuan finalized the agreement for Starwood Hotels & Resorts to assume management of the property under its Luxury Collection brand

“Sycuan’s commitment to restoring THE US GRANT to its position as a world-class hotel will be of great importance to the hospitality industry, but equally significant will be its cultural contribution to San Diego and the city’s many visitors from around the world,” explains Mark Dibella, Director of Sales & Marketing for the hotel.

THE DESIGN: An internationally renowned team of interior designers, architects and craftsman has been assembled for the project. The exterior of the 11-story hotel is has been enhanced to emphasize its circa 1910 historic glory, including the addition of wrought iron lights, a stunning third floor rooftop gardens and the restoration of the original grand entrance on Fourth Avenue. Guests arrive through a travertine-lined foyer to a Grand Lobby that is as lively as it is exquisite. THE US GRANT’s classical European and Beaux Arts interior and exterior designs, which feature more than two dozen types of marble, gold leaf, brass and exotic woods, are enhanced with striking contemporary accents. Commissioned works of art from both French and Native American Indian artists grace both public and private spaces. The hotel also features an engaging cultural center, which showcases the hotel’s history and legacy to the region.

GUEST ROOMS & SUITES: Nine-foot ceilings, extensive crown molding, imported custom wool carpets, and rich white-on-white Italian linens are featured in each room. Native American art decorates each foyer and bath and one-of-a-kind works by noted French artist, Yves Clement, have been blended into the headboard of each bed. Custom designed Empire style influenced furnishings are complimented by modern technology with 32” flat screen plasma TV’s, cordless phones and WiFi seamlessly incorporated into each room. Bathroom appointments include stone counter vanities, basin sinks and spacious marble showers.

Guestrooms on the 11th floor and specific suites have been specially designed to accommodate unique in-room Spa Services. The hotel offers the city’s only custom-designed Meeting Planner Suites, with separate sleeping and business accommodations, including a conference table and technical enhancements. THE US GRANTS 273 rooms include 45 suites, three of which are of true Presidential caliber, each carefully designed to accommodate and service the current prerequisites of the Secret Service.

THE GRANT GRILL: The reopening of the award-winning Grant Grill marks the return of a San Diego landmark, complete with a new contemporary design and flair as a Market Fresh Californian Grill with Native Influences. This signature three-meal restaurant provides a casually elegant dining experience for hotel guests and has returned as the preferred dining hub for the local community. Indigenous ingredients are at the core of the menu, and local vendors are used whenever possible, supporting regional and seasonal farming specialties in the area. An extensive wine-by-the-glass program showcases local wineries. The restaurant has a separate outside entrance and the Grant Grill Lounge is open to provide beverage service in the hotel’s grand lobby.

EVENT SPACE: The 35,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space has also undergone state-of-the-art enhancements. Destined as the premier address for social and business gatherings, the event space boasts a 9,300-square-foot Presidential Ballroom with a built-in 1,000-square-foot theatrical stage. 22 separate event rooms include state-of the art technology amidst architecturally and artistically distinctive space. San Diegans’ preferred destination for weddings and social galas for many decades, THE US GRANT has returned as the ultimate destination for social celebrations and important business gatherings.

AMENITIES: 24-hour room service; spa guest rooms, meeting planner suites, state-of-the-art business and fitness centers; on-site audio visual professionals; world-class concierge service, conference and wedding consultants; airport shuttle and valet parking among others.

THE LOCATION: Ideally situated in the heart of San Diego, America’s seventh largest city, THE US GRANT is located at 326 Broadway, at the apex of the Horton Plaza shopping and entertainment complex, the trendy Gaslamp Quarter, the financial and theater districts and the San Diego Convention Center. Minutes away is San Diego International Airport and cruise ship terminal, Amtrak’s historic Santa Fe depot, Old Town Historic Park, and Balboa Park which showcases 14 different museums and the world famous San Diego Zoo.

HISTORY: Since opening, the popular hotel has played host to over 13 United States Presidents from Woodrow Wilson to John F. Kennedy to George Bush Sr. In 1927 the world-famous aviator, Charles Lindbergh, stayed at THE US GRANT while his San Diego-built plane, The Spirit of St. Louis, was readied for his momentous New York to Paris flight. In the late 1930’s when radio was the nation’s television, the largest radio towers on the West Coast were erected on the roof of THE US GRANT and President Franklin D. Roosevelt made one of his first west coast broadcasts from the hotel. Like so many Americans, the hotel served its country during World War II, as portions of the property were used as quarters for servicemen and their families. With the tourism boom in the late 1950’s, the hotel was the first in the region to offer expanded meeting space and modernized room renovations.

In 1979 the hotel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. During the early 1980’s THE US GRANT underwent a monumental $80 million renovation and retrofit and since then has been purchased several times with multiple ownership enhancements until 2003 when the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation demonstrated its profound respect for the hotel’s namesake with its $45 million purchase of the property and current renovation investment.

THE US GRANT’s October 2006 reopening has ushered in a new era for the landmark hotel under the stewardship of the world’s most successful hotel management companies, Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

For more information please visit www.usgrant.net


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® Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, Sheraton®, Westin®, Four Points® by Sheraton, W®, Le Méridien® and the recently announced aloftSM. 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.

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The US Grant- Suites

SLEEPING WITH PRESIDENTS AT THE US GRANT HOTEL
Reopened San Diego Treasure Has Hosted 13 U.S. Presidents

     San Diego, Calif. (June 2007) – THE US GRANT, visited by 13 U.S. Presidents since its 1910 opening, and built by Ulysses S. Grant Jr. to honor his Civil War hero father and eighteenth president of the United States, is now welcoming guests to a spectacular array of lavish suites befitting presidents, kings and titans of industry. The 11-story, 270-guest room landmark hotel offers a collection of 47 stunning suites in five distinctive types; the highest ratio of suites to guest rooms in the city, including three Presidential-caliber suites which have been scrutinized by the Secret Service for compliance with current standards for hosting any U.S. Presidential visit or international dignitary.

     The legendary Beaux Arts property re-opened in October 2006 after a $52 million dollar restoration and renovation and is now a Luxury Collection hotel that embodies the history, spirit and singular character of downtown San Diego. Hosting 13 U.S. Presidents over its storied history, including Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and Jimmy Carter, the hotel pays tribute to its Presidential ties with a gallery of restored historical photographs from those visits in the lower level of the property.

     From the two magnificent bi-level Presidential Suites with 20 ft. ceilings, suede walls and a grand staircase, to the Penthouse Suite with a pony-hair headboard and sweeping city views, to the expansive living rooms and six-head rain shower in the Signature suites, each suite type has been designated its own shade of blue and features specially commissioned original artwork and furnishings. The color blue has been associated with U.S. Presidents ever since Mamie Van Buren introduced a Blue Room to the White House in 1837. Blue is also representative of the ocean, which is significant to the current owners of the hotel, the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, as the Kumeyaay have made their home on this coast since Creation.

PRESIDENTIAL SUITES: There are three different choices in this ultimate room category, which is fitting, since THE GRANT has played host to 13 different U.S. Presidents since opening in 1910. PRESIDENTIAL SUITES: There are three different choices in this ultimate room category, which is fitting, since THE GRANT has played host to 13 different U.S. Presidents since opening in 1910.


     Located at the hotel’s highest level, the suite features windows on three sides that afford sweeping views of downtown San Diego’s skyline and the Bay. The actual space was originally added to the hotel to house a radio station where President Roosevelt broadcast to the nation during his visit to open the 1935 California World Exhibition in Balboa Park. The look of the suite, however, is anything but historic. An electric blue sofa is the centerpiece of this sleek suite’s living area, which also houses a dining area and bar. A pony hair headboard and a large multi-media work by San Diego artist Marie Najera delights in the master bedroom while the lavish bathroom showcases a square sink with platter-like water basins, a marble sauna shower built for two and a color therapy infinity bathtub that fills from a deluge showerhead in the ceiling.

     Accessible from the hotel’s 10th floor, the lower level of these luxurious suites feature 20 ft. ceilings, large-scale French doors with beautiful original woodwork above fanlights, a grand salon, with divans, club chairs, and Empire style occasional tables, a private butler’s pantry to service a dining room with seating for 6 accented by a chocolate brown suede wall, ultrachic modern chandeliers and a powder room. Opulent fabrics throughout the suites showcase the many architectural details. The upper level foyer entrance overlooks the lower level salon and leads to a sumptuous master bedroom and bath with a basin sink made of pewter. The two unforgettable Bi-level Suites are mirror images of each other, meeting on a regal balcony with sweeping city and bay views. This balcony is from where President John F. Kennedy addressed the crowd in October 1963. If needed, both Presidential Suites can be booked as one 3,000 square foot residence. Guests of this caliber generally travel with an entourage, whether security personnel, valets or children, so each Presidential suite has a communicating door to an Executive suite, which can accommodate them.

HISTORICALLY CHIC…AND UNIQUE:
     The historic architecture of this Beaux Arts hotel allows that no two suites are exactly alike, making each guest’s hotel experience unique. Amenities common to every suite include soaring 9 ft. to 20 ft. ceilings with crown molding, hand-loomed Persian carpets, custom-made Empire style furnishings, Luxury Collection pillow top beds with rich Italian linens and opulent duvet covers, custom wardrobes, marble bathrooms with pedestal sinks, imported bath amenities, 32” flat screen televisions and wireless internet. THE US GRANT boasts suites ranging from 400 to 1,300 square feet and 85% are located on the top 4 floors of the 11-story hotel.

     EVENT PLANNER SUITES: 1,000 square feet. Residentially spacious and technologically advanced, these 2 one-of-a-kind suites were specially designed to provide the optimum accommodation for the savviest event planner. Both are discretely located close enough to the main ballroom to make access simple but far enough away to ensure privacy. Each features a comfortable living room with flexible dining/conference table that accommodates up to 8 guests. Business-friendly offerings also include a professional desk with ergonomic chair, office equipment, and counter and storage space. Each suite also includes either a Run Excite 900E treadmill or a Recline Excite stationary bike. A separate bedroom boasts the Luxury Collection bed, additional writing desk and private luxury bathroom.

     SIGNATURE SUITES: One of the standout features of this 770 square foot suite type is a spacious living room/salon area as well as a dining table for four and marble bathrooms complete with six-headed showers. These distinctive suites include two Eastern King Luxury collection beds.

     LANDMARK SUITES: From 470 square feet. These suites include a separate salon/living room area complete with a divan, club chairs, Empire style occasional tables and refreshment console, a bedroom with an Eastern King Luxury Collection bed and Empire style desk and nightstands, as well as a lavish marble bathroom.

     LEGACY SUITES: From 400 square feet. Similar to the Landmark Suites but with a residential salon/sitting area that seamlessly flows into the rest of the suite space.

     
GRAND DELUXE ROOMS: 380 square feet. This special room category of five King and Double standard rooms on the hotel’s top floor were also designed with special amenities for the ultimate in-room spa and beauty services. Extra large rooms make massage table set up more comfortable and feature Kohler “Tea for Two” extra deep soaking tubs and rain shower heads with adjustable selections for relaxing, aerated or pulsating flow. Double basin sinks set upon marble vanities provide ample space for beauty treatments and facials. Room standards also include plush robes and warm slippers.

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THE US GRANT™ is the world-class embodiment of the history, vitality and dynamic character of Downtown San Diego. The landmark hotel re-opened in October 2006 as a member of the elite Starwood Luxury Collection after a meticulous $52 million renovation and historic restoration by its owner, the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation. Located at 326 Broadway, San Diego, Calif. 92101 and originally opened in 1910, the 11-story hotel has been listed on the National Registrar of Historic Places since 1979. The historically chic hotel offers 270 guest rooms, including 47 suites; 33,000 square feet of ballroom and special event space weaving elegance and history with 21stcentury technology, and a contemporary interpretation of the legendary Grant Grill and Lounge. The hotel is steps from the city’s trendy Gaslamp Quarter, theater and financial districts and minutes from San Diego Bay, Balboa Park and the area’s famed visitor attractions. With entirely new furnishings, décor and original works of art in both public spaces and guest rooms, THE US GRANT is an urban sanctuary in the heart of one of America’s most cosmopolitan cities. For additional in information, please call (619) 232-3121, or visit THE US GRANT online at: www.luxurycollection.com/usgrant

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Contact:

Kim Marshall
310.452.1234
kim@themarshallplan.com

Bora Bora Nui- Third Generation

“Multigenerational travel is a fast-growing segment of the leisure travel industry. In a 2005 survey of 1,655 travelers, 35% of grandparents report having taken at least one vacation with grandchildren during the previous 12 months, up from 30% in 2003.”      Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell, travel marketing

BORA BORA’S NOT JUST FOR LOVERS ANYMORE
Starwood French Polynesia Reaches Out To Extended Family Market
With Its New Third Generation Package

BORA BORA, FRENCH POLYNESIA – (June 2007) Seems the islands of Tahiti are not just for lovers anymore…this South Pacific paradise is also for loved ones. Starwood is introducing a Third Generation Package for its two luxury properties on Bora Bora in response to more and more families booking Tahitian getaways.

Families who book two villas (ranging from 1,000 to 15,000 square feet of island style opulence) at the Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa or the St. Regis Resort, Bora Bora for three generations of families traveling over the same dates will receive a complimentary third villa. The package also includes fun gifts for kids, parents and grandparents! And for families staying more than seven nights, a complimentary terrace reception will be arranged, complete with champagne, canapés and kid-friendly snacks.

Valid from October 2007 through March 31, 2008, the new Third Generation Package is just in time for this year’s holiday season, a popular time for family travel.

Tourism officials have estimated that about 70% of the visitors to the islands of Tahiti are couples in search of romance – many of those being honeymooners, but over the past few years, French Polynesia has been experiencing a bit of a shift with incoming tourists. As with many other destinations throughout the world, the islands of Tahiti are welcoming more tourists traveling in family groups.

“We visit with our guests every day, and as much as we tried to convince ourselves that this was not a family destination, the facts spoke for themselves,” explains Rui Reis, Area Managing Director, Starwood French Polynesia. “Since the Bora Bora Nui opened five years ago, we have seen a steady increase in family visits. Each week we have at least three families staying at our 120-room property. And, in the first 11 months since opening, the St. Regis Bora Bora has welcomed an average of six children a week from all parts of the globe.”

As a result of guest demand, the Bora Bora Nui is building two, three-bedroom overwater villas, each with a swimming pool suspended over the lagoon on their lanais. The new Family Villas are scheduled to be completed in mid 2008.

In the past, resorts offering designated children’s activities were unheard of in French Polynesia. However, The St. Regis Resort, Bora Bora was designed with both couples and families in mind. Bookings show that the most popular accommodation reserved by families have been the very unique, two-bedroom beach villas with their own private pools. And, not only is there a separate adult pool with lavish cabanas, but there is also a family pool and a children’s program called the Kids Creativity Club with an array of activities, including: Tennis, games, arts & crafts, pareo painting, workshops, field trips, lagoon swimming and snorkeling, scavenger hunts, hermit crab races, sand sculptures, beach exploration and cookie and pizza & cookie making sessions with the chefs. And, adults are welcome to join their children at the Kid’s Club anytime throughout the day.

Meanwhile, families have found plenty to do at the Bora Bora Nui as well -- with a secluded half-mile white sand beach (with kayaks and sunfish sailboats available for personal use), a 1,000 meter infinity pool, DVD players in each room and a choice of hillside, beachfront or overwater villa bungalows.

“We have been monitoring the growth in the Family Market over the past several years and we are very supportive of the moves Starwood is making to meet the needs of this emerging market.” - Al Keahi, Managing Director – Tahiti Tourisme North America.

Specifics of Starwood French Polynesia’s Third Generation Package require that any 3 villas be booked for the same family over the same dates to receive:

• Free Over Water Villa for the Grandparents.
• Grandparents Gift: Photo albums with their name and dates of stay, bottle of champagne and canapés.
• Parents Gift: CD of Bora Bora music, bottle of champagne and canapés.
• Grandkids Gift: Disposable camera, fruits, juice and box of candies.
• Celebrate a stay of more than 7 nights with a complimentary family reception on the Grandparents’ villa terrace that includes a bottle of champagne, soft drinks and a selection of cold and hot canapés.

Valid at St. Regis, Bora Bora and Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa from October 1, 2007 until March 31, 2008. Valid for all new bookings and cannot combine with other promotions.

About Bora Bora Nui

The resort opened in October 2002 as a member of Starwood’s Luxury Collection and single-handedly raised the bar on luxury resort accommodations in French Polynesia. The resort not only doubled the size and luxury quotient of the signature thatched roof bungalows this South Pacific paradise is known for, but it also created a setting that honors Polynesian tradition. Located on a private island, the Bora Bora Nui features 120 suite-sized villa bungalows – overwater, beachfront and hillside -- a 30,000 square-foot hilltop Mandara Spa and a white sand beach nearly a half mile long. A favorite of experienced world travelers, the Bora Bora Nui has received a number of industry accolades since its opening from publications including: Architectural Digest, Conde Nast Traveler, The Robb Report, Elite Traveler and Cigar Aficionado. In 2006 Modern Bride Magazine named the overwater villa bungalows at the resort, the #1 “Ultimate honeymoon suite” in the world. www.luxurycollection.com/borabora


About St. Regis Resort, Bora Bora

Opened in June 2006, the St. Regis Resort, Bora Bora immediately set a new standard for luxury in French Polynesia by bringing the hallmarks of St. Regis’ world-renowned service to the region including 24-hour concierge, room service and the legendary St. Regis Butler Service. The resort features 100 exquisitely designed over –water and beach villas, including five over-water villas with private swimming pools suspended over the lagoon, two secluded beach villas with access to a private helicopter pad and the unmatched Royal Estate, which, at 13,000 square feet, it is the largest and most luxurious villa in the South Seas. The resort’s sublime Spa Miri Miri is situated on its own private island within its resort. Guests enjoy spectacular views of the main island of Bora Bora as well as the mystical Mount Otemanu, towering over the Pacific Ocean. www.stregis.com/borabora

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® Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, Sheraton®, Westin®, Four Points® by Sheraton, W®, Le Méridien® and the recently announced AloftSM and ElementSM Hotels. 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.


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The Resort at Singer Island

Fall 2007

Media Contact:
Kim Marshall, 310.230.9678
kim@themarshallplan.com

THE RESORT AT SINGER ISLAND MAKES ITS DEBUT IN PALM BEACH
COUNTY AS THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE STARWOOD LUXURY COLLECTION
Contemporary Oceanfront Resort Opening Signals Renaissance of Singer Island

     SINGER ISLAND, FL – The Resort at Singer Island, a dramatic and modern take on Palm Beach luxury, made its grand debut in April 2007, welcoming guests to one of the most expansive oceanfront destinations on the Eastern seaboard. The 21-story, all-suite Resort at Singer Island is this newest member of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.’s (NYSE:HOT) The Luxury Collection. The opening of this resort signals the renaissance of Singer Island, which was founded in 1920 by the scion of the sewing machine dynasty, into one of the most dynamic oceanfront destinations on Florida’s prestigious Gold Coast.
     Positioned on one of the most pristine beachfronts on the Atlantic, nestled between Jupiter and Palm Beaches, the $210 million Resort at Singer Island is the largest luxury hotel real estate development in Palm Beach County since 1991. Each of the 239 condominium hotel suites offer between 800 and 2,100 square feet of living space in one and two-bedroom configurations, with a dozen different floor plan options. Suite interiors feature state-of-the-art kitchen appliances, luxurious marble bathrooms, stylish and comfortable living spaces with flat-screen televisions, Bose CD/DVD players and spacious balconies, all with water views. The resort also includes 66 private residential units.
     “We define The Luxury Collection by our guests and the experiences and services they demand and expect. Nothing less than an exceptional level of service, perfect location and indigenous personal offerings will do,” said Ross Klein, President of Starwood’s Luxury Brands Group. “With a magnificent beachfront and barrier reef, Singer Island creates a magical setting for our latest addition to The Luxury Collection.”
     Both resort guests and residence owners enjoy all of the amenities and services expected from a luxury property, including beach and pool butlers, 24-hour room service, workout facilities and a business center. The resort features two Presidential Suites, 4,000 square feet of meeting space, a wedding gazebo, three restaurants and a coffee bar, an 8,500 square foot wellness retreat and spa, a lap pool with private cabanas and a lagoon-style family pool.
     The resort’s signature restaurant – Solu – created to satisfy the world’s most sophisticated palates, is an Asian-infused Caribbean Grill with a Rum Lounge and an elegant dining room enhanced by an open kitchen. SiSpa, the resort’s indoor-outdoor spa, draws its inspiration from the sea and features an extraordinary menu of treatments, including 80-minute Arabian, Mediterranean, Caribbean or Bohai mind and body therapies. Families enjoy the resort’s fun-filled Seashells Kids Club, offering activities such as Dive-in Movie Night at the Lagoon Pool and treasure hunts on the beach.
     Breaking with the more formal tradition of hotels in Palm Beach County, the resort boasts a design theme that blends contemporary luxury with indigenous influences – all in a comfortable beach setting. Highlights of the interiors designed by Hirsch Bedner include original works of modern art, intriguing water walls, unique expressions of light, and an abundance of windows overlooking the ocean. The resort’s interior colors were inspired by the sea and accented with colors of tropical spice.
     Developed by WCI Communities - America’s preeminent builder of award-winning communities in Florida, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Virginia - The Resort at Singer Island is located at 3800 North Ocean Drive, Singer Island, Florida 33404.

About The Luxury Collection
The Luxury Collection® is an elite group of distinctive properties ranging from imperial palaces to romantic hideaways, from historical landmarks to tropical resorts, recognized as some of the finest hotels in the world. There are over 50 Luxury Collection hotels and resorts in more than 25 countries, each reflecting the true essence of the destination.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.® is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 870 properties in more than 100 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood® Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, Sheraton®, Westin®, Four Points® by Sheraton, W®, Le Méridien® and the recently announced AloftSM and ElementSM Hotels. 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.


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The Resort at Singer Island-Chef Jorge

Contact: Kim Marshall
310.452.1234
kim@themarshallplan.com

THE RESORT AT SINGER ISLAND, A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL, WELCOMES EXECUTIVE CHEF CARLOS JORGE TO SOLU, AN ASIAN INFUSED CARIBBEAN GRILL

Oceanfront Resort Takes Dining to a Whole New Level on Florida’s Gold Coast
     
     Singer Island, FL (January 2007) – The Resort at Singer Island, which opened in April 2007 as Palm Beach County’s newest all-suite luxury resort, welcomes accomplished chef Carlos Jorge as Executive Chef of its signature restaurant, Solu, the 148 seat, Asian-infused, Caribbean Grill as well as all culinary programs at the resort. Chef Jorge joins this new Luxury Collection® property from the Raleigh Hotel in Miami Beach Florida.

     “We are delighted to have Chef Jorge bring his passion for regional cuisine to Solu,” said Ron Lamers, General Manager. “Chef’s keen awareness of the integrity of food in its natural state, his eye for color and instinct for the balance of tastes will mirror the colorful tropics on which Solu’s menu will be based.”

     Known for his consistent, modern culinary style, Chef Jorge fuses the soulful foods and recipes from his family’s Puerto Rican heritage with his own blend of clean, focused Asian-inspired flavors.

     With an emphasis on seafood, signature menu items at Solu include a fresh interpretation of the Caribbean classic pasteles, seared Florida grouper with a spicy Puerto Rican sancocho broth, and plantain ‘mofongo’ laced with sweet roasted garlic. Smaller producers of exceptional quality ingredients are sourced from indigenous items such as island princess conch, clams and tropical fruits.

     “Opening Solu is an irresistible opportunity to create something totally different; there will be nothing like it in the area,” states Chef Jorge. “Patrons at Solu can expect to have their palates tempted with dynamic, seasonal cuisine that reflects the tropical environment in which we live,” Carlos says.

     Solu features an exposed kitchen, as well as al fresco dining under a covered loggia. Other dining options under Chef Jorge’s guidance are The Resort at Singer Island's casual beachfront restaurant, The Reef, The Lagoon Grill, a day time bar & grill by the grotto-style lagoon pool, The Café, a coffee express in the resort’s lobby and 24-hour in-suite service. Private cabana dining by the elegant infinity pool is also available.

     Chef Jorge’s impressive career includes a three-year tenure at the Raleigh Hotel on South Beach, where he worked directly with Eric Ripert of Le Bernadin. He brings with him years of experience at several of New York’s most acclaimed restaurants, including the Mercer Kitchen, as chef de cuisine for the opening of Butter, and as executive chef of Sunset Beach on Shelter Island, NY.

     Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Chef Jorge graduated with a BSET degree in engineering, and practiced for one year, at the same time catering small functions and events for friends. This side business was so successful that he followed his heart – straight into the kitchen at 44 @ Royalton Hotel, NY. Chef Jorge spent the early part of his career honing his skills at notable Manhattan restaurants, and earning a diploma from the Institute for Culinary Education in New York in 2000.

     Chef Jorge’s approach to cooking is intuitive. “There’s an inherent beauty in simplicity; it’s all about the quality of the ingredients and the passion with which you prepare it,” states Chef Jorge.

The Resort at Singer Island
Opulence abounds at The Resort at Singer Island, the newest and most dynamic luxury oceanfront destination resort in Palm Beach County. Opening early 2007 as a member of Starwood Hotels’ elite Luxury Collection®, the new $210 million all-suite resort offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway, lush landscaping and direct access to a pristine white sand beach. The debut of this oceanfront resort signals a sea change for Singer Island, redefining it as one of the newest and most dynamic destinations on Florida’s Gold Coast. Located between Jupiter and the Palm Beaches, the 21-story resort features 239 elegant one and two bedroom suites and 66 residences, plus all the amenities and services of a world-class property. Resort facilities include distinctive regional cuisine at Solu, the Asian infused Caribbean Grill, a rum lounge, a 8,500 sq ft ocean inspired spa, two spectacular swimming pools, beach and pool cabanas, a stunning outdoor terrace with a wedding gazebo and 4,000 square feet of meeting space. Butler service, valet, pool and beach attendants and a full-time concierge will enrich guest experiences and activities. Room rates start at xxx. For additional in information, please call (561) 340-1700, or visit: www.luxurycollection.com/singerisland


About Luxury Collection
The Luxury Collection is an elite group of distinctive properties ranging from imperial palaces, romantic hideaways and historical landmarks to tropical resorts, recognized as some of the finest hotels in the world. There are over 50 Luxury Collection hotels and resorts in more than 25 countries, each reflecting the true essence of the destination.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
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® Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, Sheraton®, Westin®, Four Points® by Sheraton, W®, Le Méridien® and the recently announced AloftSM and ElementSM Hotels. 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.

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