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Starwood Adds Golf Resort in South Africa, Spa in Spain and Villas in Greece

The 36-room Villa Vedema Hotel, located on Santorini in Greece, is rated as one of that country's finest hotels. The Villa Vedema opened in 1993, and enjoys one of the best locations on the island, set in the medieval village of Megalohori overlooking the Aegean Sea. Lush gardens contrast with the Cycladic architecture. The resort features luxury apartments and villas, many with private verandas, two restaurants, three bars, meeting facilities, pool, jacuzzi, health club with gym, massage and yoga. Guests have access to a private beach and shuttle service. The highlight of any visit is watching the sun set into the Agean Sea from the hotel's lush grounds, while enjoying the region's famous wines. Villa Vedema is the second resort to join The Luxury Collection, following the addition in July 1999 of the Hotel Santa Marina on Mykonos.

The ArabellaSheraton Golf-Hotel Western Cape is under construction currently, on the shores of South Africa's largest lagoon on the "Bot River," some 60 miles east of Cape Town. The 145-room deluxe holiday resort is set to open in Spring 2001, and has been carefully designed in harmony with its surroundings—one of the most interesting nature preserves in Africa. All rooms will have a view of the lagoon and its abundant wildlife. The resort will include two Royal Suites, two Presidential Suites, and all the amenities of a world-class holiday destination. A spa and wellness area will blend the outdoors with indoor comforts, featuring pools and waterfalls within a lush garden landscape. The 18-hole championship "Arabella Country Estate Golf Course" opened in December 1999, and is adjacent to the hotel. Planned by the South African golf course designer, Peter Matkovic, it already is regarded as one of the nation's finest. A further 18-hole golf course is planned.

The ArabellaSheraton Mardavall Spa & Resort—second for both the ArabellaSheraton chain and The Luxury Collection in Mallorca, Spain—is planned to open in 2002. The hotel currently is under construction near the island's chic Puerto Portal marina, directly on the shorefront, just three miles from the capital, Palma. The resort will feature butler service and a full range of upscale amenities and services, including a spa and wellness facilities such as a beauty farm, a Hammam steam bath, Kneipp baths, ice grottos, aroma therapy showers, a liquid sound pool, a brine bath and cardio and yoga rooms. There will be fresh and saltwater pools, with a separate children's pavilion and pool. The main focus of the spa facilities will be Thalasso treatments (featuring curative algae).

The ArabellaSheraton Mardavall Spa & Resort will consist of 126 "demi-suites," 12 single rooms and two Presidential suites. All rooms will face the ocean and have spacious balconies. A gourmet restaurant, a daytime restaurant including a show-kitchen and pool-bar will serve up specialties catering to a full range of gourmet tastes. The property will include several tennis courts and two company-owned 18-hole golf courses, "Son Vida" and "Son Muntaner;" the latter is currently open for play. The property is equipped with conference rooms for up to 200 people, a business center, and is immediately adjacent to ArabellaSheraton's "Residencias Mardavall," exclusive private holiday apartments planned to be located adjacent to the resort.

Reservations for all three properties may be made through the worldwide Luxury Collection Reservations offices, reachable toll-free in 34 countries (1-800-325-3589 in the U.S. or Canada). Corporate customers will have the benefit of The Luxury Collection's easily accessible global sales office; and travel agents may now book reservations using all of the latest technology, including direct connections to all global distribution systems. Reservations also may be made by visiting the worldwide web site http://www.luxurycollection.com.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT - news), 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.

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