WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Sep 4, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE)—Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) announced today the appointment of Hoyt Harper II as senior vice president, Four Points by Sheraton, voted the number one mid-priced hotel brand according to the 2002 Business Travel News` “Annual Top U.S. Hotel Chain Survey.”

Harper will be responsible for all operational aspects of the Four Points by Sheraton brand, including brand standards, product development, and owner relations. Harper will report directly to Bob Cotter, Starwood`s chief operating officer.

Harper, a 22-year veteran of the travel and hospitality industry, most recently served as senior vice president, business development & marketing programs, where he was responsible for developing strategic alliances and partnerships for Starwood, as well as developing loyalty and membership programs, sponsorships and promotions. Prior to that, Harper held the position of vice president, marketing programs, where he oversaw the successful launch of Starwood Preferred Guest in February 1999, Starwood`s award winning loyalty program. Harper was also responsible for developing an array of global marketing alliances with travel, credit card, business services, leisure programs, consumer product companies, sponsorships and promotions, including the launch of our new co-branded credit with American Express and sponsorship of the PGA Tour. During his tenure with Starwood, Harper has solidified dozens of global marketing alliances, including over 25 global airlines, AT&T, Carnival Corporation and American Express.

“We are extremely pleased with the major contributions Hoyt has made in the past and welcome his wealth of experience to his new position as the head of operation for our Four Points by Sheraton hotels in North America,” said Cotter. “We look forward to enhancing Four Points` leadership in the mid-scale category, both operationally and with new and innovative features for the brand.”

As a respected eight-year veteran of ITT Sheraton, Harper served as vice president and director, marketing programs & partner marketing. While in this position, Harper received the Harold S. Geneen Award, ITT`s highest achievement award for marketing.

Prior to joining ITT Sheraton, Harper spent 11 years in the travel industry, holding such positions as vice president and general manager of Lifeco Services` leisure division; vice president of marketing for Thomson Vacations, Inc. based in Toronto; director of leisure marketing for Avis Rent A Car in Garden City, New York and director of operations for Thomson Vacations in Chicago.

Harper graduated from Carthage College in Wisconsin and will be based in Starwood`s corporate headquarters in White Plains, NY.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 740 properties in more than 80 countries and 110,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. With internationally renowned brands, Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts including: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, W brands, as well as Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwood.com

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

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