W Hotels Worldwide, the hotel category buster and industry innovator, marks its entry into the Middle East with the opening of the highly-anticipated W Doha Hotel & Residences. Designed by London-based United Designers, W Doha merges traditional Arabian imagery with the contemporary cool design of the W brand and modern creativity of United Designers. Immediately upon arrival, guests are welcomed into a world of “Wow.” The W living room (W’s re-imagination of the hotel lobby) combines water features, ceiling-suspended seating and modern hand-blown hanging lanterns, energizing the entry and providing a dynamic social atmosphere. Symmetrical designs, clean lines and innovative lighting create private, tranquil areas within the sweeping, dramatic public spaces. Topping off W Doha, the 15th floor Extreme Wow suite (W’s take on the traditional Presidential Suite) is nothing but spectacular, boasting breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea, private massage and meeting rooms, full-size pool table and wet bar, stunning sal*censored*er aquarium stocked with exotic sea life, and luxurious oversized bathroom.

W Hotels Worldwide will be the official hotel partner of (RED)WIRE, the new online music magazine by (RED). Applying the (RED) idea to music, (RED)WIRE helps to buy lifesaving medicine and other services for those living with HIV/AIDS in Africa by contributing a portion of the proceeds from memberships to the Global Fund, a leading financer of programs to help eliminate AIDS globally.

W Hotels Worldwide announced today plans for the first W Hotel in the Caribbean, W Vieques - Martineau Bay, located on the largely undiscovered island of Vieques. Scheduled to open in Fall of 2006, the W Vieques - Martineau Bay will have 156 guest rooms and villas, two restaurants including one pool-side cafe, an 8,000 square foot spa and a 3,000 square foot bar. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., W’s parent company, signed an agreement with Reig Capital Puerto Rico, Inc., which owns the 42 acre beachfront site. The property will be managed by W Hotels.

Brian Windle has been named as Vice President, Sales and Marketing of W Hotels, a new brand of business hotels from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. The announcement was made by Ted Darnall, Executive Vice President of Hotel Operations of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Worldwide, Inc. Ten W Hotels will open in major U.S. cities nationwide, beginning in the Fall of 1998 with the opening of W New York.