VICTOR BAROTHY-LANGER NAMED GENERAL MANAGER OF SAN DIEGO’S THE US GRANT™ - A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL

San Diego, Calif. - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. today announced the appointment of veteran luxury hospitality executive Victor Barothy-Langer to the position of general manager of the legendary San Diego landmark THE US GRANT ™ -A Luxury Collection Hotel. The 1910 hotel, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the newest member of Starwood’s Luxury Collection®, reopens at the heart of downtown San Diego Nov. 1 following a meticulous $52 million historic restoration.

An accomplished hospitality executive, Barothy-Langer brings to the senior management position of THE US GRANT more than 25 years of experience, primarily with luxury properties, including service over the last four years as hotel manager of the historic, Starwood-managed Westin St. Francis overlooking Union Square in downtown San Francisco. In addition, for the two years prior to joining Starwood, Barothy-Langer served as hotel manager for San Diego County’s famed La Cost Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, Calif.

“Victor represents the ideal vision of leadership to best reflect the Hotels prestigious past and exciting future in a dynamic downtown San Diego.” said Joe Terzi, VP of Operations, Starwood Hotels Southern California Region.

Daniel Tucker, chairman of the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation and the Sycuan Tribal Development Corporation, which purchased the historic property for $45 million in December 2003, expressed the appreciation of the corporation’s board of directors for Barothy-Langer’s long established expertise with luxury urban hotels in general, and with San Diego region’s unique attributes and affluent markets in particular.

A native of Albany, N.Y., Barothy-Langer earned a bachelor’s degree in hospitality administration from Southern New Hampshire University. He began his career in hospitality management with Hyatt Hotels and Resorts where for over 14 years he successfully executed progressively more demanding managerial assignments at Hyatt Regency hotels in Phoenix, Buffalo and Chicago; the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa; and as hotel manager on the team that opened the Hyatt Regency Kauai Resort and Spa. He subsequently served three years as corporate director – hotel services for Norwegian Cruise Line.

“The general management of THE US GRANT represents a wonderful professional challenge that only a few receive. I am most grateful, humbled and excited about this opportunity,” Barothy-Langer said. “To me, the renaissance of THE US GRANT will bring a new level of style and sophistication to downtown San Diego – but one that always is mindful and respectful of the hotel’s history and all who have stayed there.”

THE US GRANT™ is the world-class embodiment of the history, vitality and dynamic character of Downtown San Diego. The landmark hotel re-opens in November 2006 as a member of the elite Starwood Luxury Collection after a meticulous $52 million renovation and historic restoration by its owner, the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation. Located at 326 Broadway, San Diego, Calif. 92101 and originally opened in 1910, the 11-story hotel has been listed on the National Registrar of Historic Places since 1979. When completed, the historically chic hotel will offer 270 guest rooms, including 47 suites; 33,000 square feet of ballroom and special event space weaving elegance and history with 21stcentury technology, and a contemporary interpretation of the legendary Grant Grill and Lounge. The hotel is steps from the city’s trendy Gaslamp Quarter, theater and financial districts and minutes from San Diego Bay, Balboa Park and the area’s famed visitor attractions. With entirely new furnishings, décor and original works of art in both public spaces and guest rooms, THE US GRANT is an urban sanctuary in the heart of one of America’s most cosmopolitan cities. For additional in information, please call (619) 232-3121, or visit THE US GRANT online at: www.luxurycollection.com/usgrant

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 Méridien® and the recently announced aloftSM. 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, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

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