Starwood Unveils First of Three St. Regis Hotels in the Middle East This Year with the Debut of the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announces the debut of The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi as the St. Regis brand continues its dynamic global growth and nearly triples its portfolio in just five years. This opening marks the first of three St. Regis hotels slated to debut this year in the Middle East including The St. Regis Abu Dhabi situated on the Corniche and The St. Regis Doha in Qatar. Globally, St. Regis will build on its expansion with the debut of The St. Regis Mauritius Resort and the newly renovated St. Regis Aspen Resort later this year, further lengthening Starwood’s lead in luxury hospitality.

“We are thrilled to debut The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi as our first St. Regis hotel in the Middle East”

“We are thrilled to debut The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi as our first St. Regis hotel in the Middle East,” says Paul James, Global Brand Leader of St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. “As one of the world’s economic hubs, Abu Dhabi has become a new ‘must’ on today’s global Grand Tour, and St. Regis is inimitably positioned to cater to the needs of these global travelers, offering bespoke luxury informed by the brand’s unique legacy.”

Beginning in the early 19^th century, each generation of affluence went on a Grand Tour through Europe to collect experiences and cultivate culture. Subsequently, today’s elite communities travel to Old World cities including London, Rome and New York in addition to new world hotspots as diverse as Aspen, Shenzhen, New Delhi and Abu Dhabi. As a hotel brand created for a new generation of luxury travelers, St. Regis is building on its portfolio of existing iconic hotels with destinations at the heart of the Global Grand Tour itinerary, amplifying John Jacob Astor IV’s vision to create ‘the finest hotel in the world’ with each new addition.

Starwood currently operates nearly 50 hotels in the Middle East and continues to strengthen its long- established position in the Middle East as one of the leading luxury hotel operators in the region. By 2015, the Middle East will become the second region, after North America, to operate all nine of Starwood’s world-class brands: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, W, Westin, Le Méridien, Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft and Element - further reinforcing the company’s commitment to the region.

Luxury Accommodations & Bespoke Service
Poised to be Abu Dhabi’s first true luxury-leisure haven, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi is located on the pristine white natural beaches of Saadiyat, a short 10-minute drive from the city center and a 20-minute drive from Abu Dhabi International Airport. Designed by award-winning architects Woods-Bagot, Johannesburg-based Northpoint Architects and renowned interior designers Hirsch Bedner Associates, the resort incorporates a blend of Mediterranean and Arabic influences creating a unique and exciting address. Each of the 377 luxurious guest rooms and suites feature private terraces offering panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf. Ranging from intimate to extravagant, guests can choose from a variety of elegant suites including the lavishly-appointed two-story Royal Suite. The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi also offers 33 St. Regis branded villas, 259 St. Regis branded residences and a high-end retail and entertainment complex named ‘The Collection,’ including shops and restaurants, which will become fully operational in stages throughout 2012.

Following in the tradition of the St. Regis brand’s legendary New York hotel, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi features the famed hallmarks of St. Regis hotels including signature St. Regis Butler Service, bespoke guest experiences and luxury accommodations tailored to global travellers. Trained in the English tradition, the butlers provide ever-present, yet unobtrusive service while anticipating guest needs and customising each guest’s stay according to his or her specific tastes and preferences.

Exquisite Culinary Experiences
Featuring seven distinctive food and beverage venues, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi offers guests both indoor and alfresco dining options with beach-inspired décor and captivating ocean views of the Arabian Gulf.

55 & 5^th The Grill is the resort’s signature restaurant, a classic grill and lounge inspired by the address of the original St. Regis New York. The Manhattan Lounge is inspired by the timeless customs and signature beverages reflecting New York’s elite society while The Drawing Room, the lobby lounge, celebrates the signature St. Regis Afternoon Tea ritual and offers a unique selection of beverages and snacks.

Sontaya is a culinary mosaic of Southeast Asia with floating, glass-walled pavilions set amidst interconnected ponds and pools while Olea is the Mediterranean influenced venue is the resort’s all-day dining venue with indoor and alfresco options. Turquoiz, which will open later this year, is the resort’s beach restaurant and terrace offering a variety of freshly prepared seafood as well as a selection of light snacks in a vibrant setting and Sucré, the resort’s pastry shop that promises a seduction of the senses with handmade chocolates, delightful pastries and bespoke cakes.

St. Regis’ Exclusive Iridium Spa, Athletic Club & Children’s Club
The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi features the region’s first Iridium Spa, featuring 12 treatment rooms and three individually designed luxurious spa suites - Moroccan, Thai and Contemporary - each with private terraces and pools. Blending traditional remedies with modern technologies, the 3,500 square metre spa offers the brand’s signature therapies as well as customized therapies including Thai and Balinese speciality treatments.

The resort also offers extensive leisure facilities for families including the athletic club, which offers 3,500 square metres of ultra-modern equipment, two tennis courts, two squash courts and five pools including a 25-metre indoor lap pool. The Sandcastle Club, the dedicated children’s club, caters to children ages 1 to 12 years old and offers both indoor and outdoor activities including an outdoor pool and access to the resort’s beach.

Elevating Business Meetings & Special Events
The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi offers extensive meeting, events and conference facilities including Abu Dhabi’s largest ballroom, The Regal Ballroom, as well as four meeting rooms and a business centre. The 3,000 square-metre Regal Ballroom is fully equipped with state-of-the-art lighting and sound equipment and also features an outdoor terrace with seaside views, making it the perfect place to host a large private function or smaller, more intimate events. The Regal Ballroom also has a dedicated bridal arrival area complemented by a separate bridal salon with dressing and grooming areas.

For more information on The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi please visit www.stregis.com/saadiyatisland.

About St. Regis Hotels & Resorts
Combining classic sophistication and modern luxury, the St. Regis brand remains faithful to its commitment to excellence. Founded by John Jacob Astor IV, with the opening of the first St. Regis Hotel in New York City over a century ago, the St. Regis brand of hotels and residences is known for its unique luxury dimension, customized service and refined elegance in the best destinations worldwide. Plans for the brand to globally continue its legacy include long-awaited St. Regis hotels and resorts in Buenos Aires and the Riviera Maya. In Asia, St. Regis has also announced plans to open hotels in Changsha, Chengdu, Kuala Lumpur, Lijiang, New Delhi and Zhuhai. In Europe, Africa and the Middle East, the St. Regis brand will continue to expand in Abu Dhabi, Amman, Cairo, Doha and Mauritius. The distinctive trait of the St. Regis experience is customized service and attention to detail through signature St. Regis Butler Service, coveted locations and luxurious design. For more information on St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, please visit www.stregis.com and for the privilege of residential ownership, please visit www.stregis.com/residences.