Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announced today that the former Swissotel Atlanta is now reflagged as The Westin Buckhead. Host Marriott Corporation (NYSE: HMT) has selected Starwood to manage the property as a Westin, Starwood`s upper-upscale brand.

Following a host of significant upgrades, the prestigious 365-room Buckhead property is now distinguished with not only a new flag, but also the signature products and services of the Westin brand - including Westin`s highly-acclaimed Heavenly Bed(R), Heavenly Bath(R), Westin Service Express(R) and Westin One Call(R). The Westin Buckhead joins its sister property, Sheraton Buckhead, as well as eight other Sheraton and Westin properties in Atlanta, in addition to Starwood`s W Atlanta - Perimeter Center.

“We are thrilled that Host Marriott Corporation has selected Westin to manage The Westin Buckhead, and we`re happy to be back in this market after being absent for many years,” said Sue Brush, senior vice president, Westin Hotels & Resorts. “We look forward to bringing Westin`s signature service and products to this part of the Atlanta market while continuing to set a precedent for modern luxury.”

Situated in the upscale business, shopping and entertainment district of Buckhead and adjacent to Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza shopping malls, the Four-Diamond deluxe hotel features 365 oversized rooms, 11 luxurious suites, and 22 floors, as well as the largest grand ballroom in Buckhead, fitness center, and the world-renowned Palm restaurant in its lobby.

Westin brings modern luxury to the Buckhead delivering unmatched comfort and outstanding service to professional business and leisure travelers in an environment characterized by an elegant, calming and subdued sense of style. Guests at The Westin Buckhead will enjoy added amenities, such as rooms equipped with a large work area and a two-line speakerphone, wireless high speed Internet access, voice messaging, fully-stocked refreshment center, cable television and in-room movies.

Westin`s signature Heavenly Beds are in every room, providing guests with the ultimate in comfort and the best night`s sleep possible. Sumptuous, stylish and plush, the all-white Heavenly Bed consists of a custom designed pillow-top mattress set; a cozy down blanket; three crisp sheets ranging in thread count from 180 to 250; a comforter; luxurious duvet; and five of the best pillows in the business. To complement this divine bed, Westin has also installed its highly acclaimed Heavenly Bath, which includes a custom-designed dual showerhead that provides guests with a therapeutic shower spa, featuring several spray options, from light mist to massaging needles and a curved shower rod that adds an extra eight inches of elbow room. In addition, oversized Brazilian combed cotton bath sheets and a custom-designed velour robe are available in every room.

Guests staying at The Westin Buckhead will be able to earn their way toward free travel through the Starwood Preferred Guest(R) program, consistently rated the best hotel frequency program in the world. With more than 700 participating hotels and resorts around the world, the program is the industry`s most global and offers a structure focused on simplicity and flexibility in redemption options and inclusion of all Starwood`s brands.

Starwood is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 740 properties in more than 80 countries and 105,000 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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