W Hotels- the world`s foremost “style” hotel brand - celebrates its 20th W and its Canadian debut with the W Montreal which is expected to open in Fall, 2003.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc (NYSE: HOT), W`s parent, recently agreed to manage the 152-room hotel that is currently under construction as a conversion of the former Banque du Canada Building.

Located in the heart of the new Cite Internationale District of Montreal, central to both Old Montreal and the historic Victoria Square, the W Montreal will offer the lively ambience the W Hotels have become known for… a signature bar, vibrant Living Room lobby, and a destination restaurant.

According to Barry S. Sternlicht, chairman and CEO of Starwood, the company has been anxious to debut a W in Canada since the brand`s inception in 1998. “Starwood has more than 40 hotels in Canada and we`ve been searching for a perfect venue for our first Canadian W. This project presented an ideal site,” said Sternlicht. “With its cosmopolitan style, beauty and youthful vitality, Montreal is an ideal W city. This particular building offers great space to create a unique hotel property that will enhance the city and the W brand.”

“A W hotel experience is truly unforgettable,” said Stephen Foster, Starwood`s senior vice president of operations for Canada. “I know that the people of Montreal will embrace the high energy and impeccable style and service of the W brand.”

The W Montreal is one of three international W properties set to open by the end of 2003 - with W Mexico City to open in June and W Walker Hill—Seoul to open by the end of the year. The first W Hotel opened in New York in December 1998. There are now five W Hotels in New York City and 17 hotels brandwide in the U.S. and abroad.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 750 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.

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