STARWOOD OPENS TWO NEW HOTELS

Source: Starwood Hotels & Resorts

June 19, 1999
Starwood Hotels & Resorts, announced today the opening of two new hotels, the W San Francisco and the Westin La Cantera Resort in San Antonio, Texas.

The W San Francisco is owned and operated by Starwood and the Westin La Cantera is managed and 23% owned by Starwood as part of a joint venture project with USAA/La Cantera Development Company of San Antonio and Woodbine Development Corporation of Dallas.

"We are very pleased to announce the opening of these two outstanding properties," said Barry S. Sternlicht, chairman and chief executive officer of Starwood. "Both properties are superb representations of their brands. They are in great locations in their respective cities and they are indicative of the kind of growth opportunities that Starwood will pursue around the world," Mr. Sternlicht said.

The W San Francisco is the 3rd W hotel opened by Starwood since the brand was launched in the Fall of last year. The company expects to open its W Seattle hotel in August.

The $85 million, 31-story; 423-room W San Francisco is located at the corner of Third and Howard streets in the city's thriving Yerba Buena district, directly across from the Moscone Convention Center and adjacent to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

As with all W hotels, W San Francisco's modern, sophisticated design emphasizes style and comfort while providing the corporate traveler with a singularly state-of-the-art array of today's business and health club amenities. W San Francisco is a modern yet classical structure that artfully complements the Yerba Buena area's distinctive architectural environment. External design elements include a striking gray granite facade piped with polished black stone, and an octagonal, three-story glass entrance and lobby. XYZ, the hotel's signature restaurant, has also officially opened. The restaurant combines the culinary talents of Gail Deffarari, who has earned local and national acclaim for her work at Universal Cafe and Alison Richman, previously executive sous chef at Jardiniere. An upscale, bi-level venue entered on the first floor of W San Francisco, XYZ includes a dining room with indoor and outdoor seating, and a mezzanine bar serving wine, beer and fine spirits. The menu offers an enticing selection of Asian-influenced, seasonal California cuisine.

The Westin La Cantera resort, is a $115 million project built on the site of an abandoned limestone rock quarry -- la cantera in Spanish.

Situated on a hilltop between San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country, the resort offers spectacular views from all rooms. A 15-minute drive to downtown San Antonio makes the hotel close enough for business and leisure travelers alike to enjoy the San Antonio River Walk, the Mission Trail, the Alamo, the San Antonio Botanical Gardens, and other museums and attractions. The resort is adjacent to Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and only a 10-minute drive from Sea World, making it easily accessible to all area tourist attractions.

In addition, The Westin La Cantera Resort offers numerous other amenities, including 39,000 sq. ft. of function space, world class restaurants, a state-of-art fitness center with spa services, concierge service, a children's activity center featuring the Westin Kids Club, two tennis courts and a nature trail.

Opening in the Fall of 1999 will be the Casita Village, an upscale cluster of suites currently under construction just below the resort hotel. In addition to the award-winning La Cantera Golf Club designed by Tom Weiskoff and Jay Morrish and home to the Westin Texas Open, a PGA Tour event, business and leisure travelers at The Westin La Cantera Resort will soon have a second golfing option. La Cantera's newest course is being designed by golf legend Arnold Palmer and is currently under development. It is scheduled to open in Fall 2000.

The two courses contribute to San Antonio's growing reputation as a golfing destination, with moderate year-round climate and more than 25 golf courses in the surrounding area to beckon avid sports men and women.

Starwood is the world's largest hotel and gaming company which, through its subsidiaries, operates the Sheraton, Westin, St. Regis, Luxury Collection, Ciga, Four Points by Sheraton, W and Caesars brands. Starwood's portfolio of owned, managed and franchised hotels and casinos include more than 700 hotels and casinos in 72 countries with over 223,000 rooms.