Syrian's President Bashar Al Assad opens Sheraton Aleppo Hotel

ALEPPO, Syria, April 02^nd, 2007 - H.E. The President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Bashar Al Assad has officially opened today, the Sheraton Aleppo Hotel, as the first international hotel brand in the city.

The Syrian President inaugurated the property at a gala ceremony attended by more than 250 dignitaries, including senior Government ministers.

"We are very excited with the opening of Sheraton Aleppo as an additional milestone in our portfolio in Syria; Sheraton now is well positioned in every major business center in the Middle East. It is an achievement we are very proud of. The new Sheraton Aleppo will be a landmark here in the second biggest city in Syria and proof of our continued interest in expanding our footprints in the fast growing Middle East region", said Roeland Vos, President Starwood Hotels and Resorts Europe, Africa & Middle East.

The top Starwood executive paid tribute to the Kuwaiti share holder of the hotel's owning company, Mr. Al Khorafi, describing him as "man of great vision".

"Guidance and dedication of the property's owners Bab Al Faraj for Hotels & Tourism, represented by Mr. Mohammed Mansour, the Vice Chairman of the company, has been "unstinting and invaluable", added Vos.

"We believe our new hotel will play a pivotal role in Syria's aggressive economic expansion and initiatives", concluded Vos.

The official unveiling of the property was a spectacular event with guests treated to an exotic array of delicacies at the hotel's unique ball room while a spectacular rooftop firework display lit up the Aleppo skyline.

Former deputy general manager of the Sheraton Amman Al Nabil Hotel and industry veteran Francois Waller, is at the helm of Sheraton Aleppo Hotel. "Although we anticipate that the hotel will be primarily favored by business clients, we intend to work closely with the Syrian Tourism Board to promote tourism, and increase the city's market share of the leisure market; we strongly believe that there is a great potential" , Waller said.

"Sheraton Aleppo will focus more on the traditional Sheraton market of the business traveler, but tourism is of vital importance to Syria in general and Aleppo in particular and we will be doing everything we can to attract tourists to the country and ensure that they have the best possible experience in this inspiring city", added Waller.

"The property's conferencing facilities are "a first for this market and we will be able to capture a prime share of this business segment", concluded Waller.

The new property marks a first in Aleppo for Starwood Hotels and Resorts, the parent company of Sheraton, and it's fifth in Syria. Starwood has also recently concluded an agreement to manage its first Four Points by Sheraton in Syria, Four Points Tartous, which is expected to open in 2011.

Ideally located in Aleppo's vibrant city center in Bab Al Faraj district, the hotel is the perfect point from where to explore the historical city of Aleppo. It is steps away from the Cultural Quarter, the business, financial and Entertainment districts and the city's greater attractions including Aleppo Citadel, Omayyad Mosque, National Museum, Public Park and the Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions. The hotel is also just 15 minutes ( 10 KM ) from Aleppo International Airport.

Sheraton Aleppo welcomes travelers to the Silk Route in its first year of operation in 2007 with 199 tastefully decorated guest rooms and suites, fully furnished with Sheraton signature Sweet Sleeper Beds. Including 34 club rooms, ten junior suites, two executive suites, five executive corner suites, one Diplomatic suite and one Presidential suite. Interiors are by well-known Belgian based designer Jean-Pierre Serbach of ITA interior design.

Sheraton Aleppo hotel, ideally positioned for business travelers, the hotel offers wireless connectivity in all its public areas, four flexible meeting rooms and two banquet halls, totaling 810 square meters, ideal for small to midsize meetings and events.

The hotel has a pillarless ballroom and state-of-the-art conferencing facilities that include audiovisual equipment.

Sheraton Aleppo Hotel also offers three restaurants including The Silk Road Mediterranean Restaurant, Leonardo's Italian Restaurant and Ikebana, serving Asian cuisine, two bars including an English style Pub. It also boasts state of the art recreational facilities including swimming pool, health club, Turkish bath and a large shopping arcade.

Aleppo is the second city of Syria, 350 km north of the capital Damascus, and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in history, dating back to at least 1000 BC. Aleppo is famous for its historic eye-catching mosques, churches and tombs which are testament to the ancient history of the city. The city's architecture is a homogeneous combination of modern and traditional styles. The most famous of Aleppo's attractions is the Citadel, from where all of the city can be seen.

The city has a particularly interesting collection of Islamic antiquities including the great Umayyad Mosque and city walls, incorporating defense towers and fortified gates.

Visitors to this region of Syria can also experience the Silk Road Festival held every year in September, a trip to the Middle East's longest covered souk, a visit to one of the Levant region's oldest Mosques and relaxing in a traditional Syrian Hammam (bath house).

-Ends-

Note to the Editors
Sheraton, the largest brand of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) has more than 394 hotels in 65 countries. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 850 properties in more than 95 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, W, Le Mridien and the recently announced aloft^SM and ELEMENT^SM Hotels. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, www.starwoodhotels.com/pressclub please visit.

For more information, please contact:
Hazem Ibrahim
Director of Sales & Marketing
Sheraton Aleppo Hotel
Tel: +963.21.212.1111
Fax: +963.21.212.1136
Email: Hazem.Ibrahim@sheraton.com

Raghad Sabouni
Public Relations Manager
Sheraton Aleppo Hotel
Tel: +963.21.212.1111
Fax: +963.21.212.1136
Email: Raghad.sabouni@sheraton.com