SHERATON OPENS ITS NINTH HOTEL IN CHINA

Sheraton Chengdu Lido Hotel Opens on May 12, 2000

SINGAPORE, May 12, 2000 - Sheraton Hotels & Resorts expands its portfolio in China with the opening of its ninth hotel today, the Sheraton Chengdu Lido Hotel in the Sichuan province. The Sheraton Chengdu Lido Hotel joins the Sheraton family of hotels in the following cities in China - Beijing, Xian, Tianjin, Guilin, Suzhou, Wuxi, Nanjing and Hong Kong.

Chengdu, the capital of the Sichuan province, has a population of more than 9 million people. A well-known cultural city with a history of 2300 years, Chengdu is also the hometown of the treasured rare animal – the giant panda. Today it has become the scientific, educational, commercial and financial center of southwest China.

Standing majestically on Ren Min Zhong Road, the main street of Chengdu’s commercial and entertainment area, is the 35-storey Sheraton Chengdu Lido Hotel. The hotel is easily accessible as the railway station is nearby and the Shuang Liu International Airport is only 30 minutes’ drive away.

Sheraton Chengdu Lido Hotel has 402 spacious rooms and suites. Each room features separate showers/bathtubs, IDD dialing, voice mail, data ports, internet facility, international satellite TV, in-room safe, individually controlled air-conditioning, hair dryer, minibar and tea/coffee facilities. Non-smoking rooms and rooms with facilities for the disabled are also available. Other services include a 24-hour business center with secretarial service, shopping arcade, car parking, airport limousine, baby-sitting, laundry and valet service and 24-hour room service.

The hotel offers the most complete health club and gymnasium, with a wide range of services, including sauna, steam bath, jacuzzi, massage, and a beautiful out-door swimming pool. For golf enthusiasts, a golf driving range is a one-minute walk from the hotel. The hotel's food and beverage outlets offer Western and a variety of Asian cuisines, including Cantonese and the popular Sichuan menus. Room service is available around the clock. The Fontana Bar and SideWalk Lounge offer an elegant setting for social or business gatherings.

Sheraton Chengdu Lido Hotel provides extensive banquet facilities and services to cater for any special occasion. The grand ballroom accommodates up to 500 persons for banquet, and can be divided into two 184-square meter rooms. Three function rooms in various sizes can cater from 20 persons to 95 persons.

To celebrate its soft-opening, Sheraton Chengdu Lido Hotel is offering special opening rates from US$88 including daily breakfast for one person valid from 12 May to August 31st, 2000.

Sheraton, the largest brand of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., has more than 375 hotels in 67 countries. Guests at Sheraton hotels and other Starwood properties can take advantage of the Starwood Preferred Guest program, the only frequent guest program in the industry without blackout dates.

Starwood, through its St. Regis, Luxury Collection, Westin, Sheraton, Four Points and W brands, is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 700 hotels in 80 countries and 120,000 employees at its owned and managed properties.