Four Points by Sheraton Accelerates Worldwide Growth with Opening of 175th Hotel and Targets 200th Milestone in 2014.

　　Four Points by Sheraton today unveiled a thriving global pipeline of hotels that sets the stage for a milestone 200th opening in 2014. The popular brand reached its 175th hotel in 2013 with the openings of Four Points by Sheraton Manhattan (Manhattan, Kansas, United States), Four Points by Sheraton Riyadh (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia), Four Points by Sheraton Ahmedabad (Ahmedabad, India) and Four Points by Sheraton Kecskemet (Kecskemet, Hungary).

　　"Tremendous loyalty from guests has also been a big part of the Four Points" success, and we"ll keep fueling growth by delivering great experiences."

　　Four Points" impressive growth rate makes it the second-largest pipeline and third-largest brand for parent Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT). Four Points represented more than a quarter of Starwood"s openings and signings in 2012 and is expected to sign more deals in 2013 than ever before in the brand"s history. A recent $1-billion brand-wide rejuvenation has spurred its popularity and is helping to drive Four Points" growth.

　　In North America, Four Points to Surpass 120 Hotels

　　In North America alone, fast-growing Four Points is expected to surpass 120 hotels this year – representing a 20% increase since the beginning of 2008. With 17 new properties set to open in the US and Canada over the next 12 months, the brand is on track to have Starwood"s largest North American pipeline. Slated to debut from now through May 2014 are:

　　Four Points by Sheraton Kansas City – Sports Complex (Missouri)

　　Four Points by Sheraton Kelowna Airport (British Columbia, Canada)

　　Four Points by Sheraton Fort Myers Airport (Florida)

　　Four Points by Sheraton Edmonton International Airport (Alberta, Canada)

　　Four Points by Sheraton Jacksonville Beachfront (Florida)

　　Four Points by Sheraton Edmundston (New Brunswick, Canada)

　　Four Points by Sheraton Minot (North Dakota)

　　Four Points by Sheraton Charleston (West Virginia)

　　Four Points by Sheraton Regina (Saskatchewan, Canada)

　　Four Points by Sheraton Waterloo-Kitchener Hotel & Suites (Ontario, Canada)

　　Four Points by Sheraton Surrey (British Columbia, Canada)

　　Four Points by Sheraton Bentonville (Arkansas)

　　Four Points by Sheraton Newark (Delaware)

　　Four Points by Sheraton Nashville Airport (Nashville, Tennessee)

　　Four Points by Sheraton Coral Gables (Miami, Florida)

　　Four Points by Sheraton New York Downtown (New York, New York)

　　Four Points by Sheraton Scranton (Scranton, Pennsylvania)

　　Fast-Growing Brand Enters Key New Global Markets; Expands Presence in Others

　　Worldwide, Four Points is debuting in three key markets – Peru, Sri Lanka and Libya and will expand its presence in Malaysia, Mexico and China. With a total of 10 scheduled openings in Asia, South America, the Middle East and Africa over the next 12 months, Four Points will command a presence in 32 countries and territories, up from 29 in 2012. In the global pipeline are:

　　Four Points by Sheraton Miraflores (Peru)

　　Four Points by Sheraton Medina (Saudi Arabia)

　　Four Points by Sheraton Penang (Penang, Malaysia)

　　Four Points by Sheraton Bijie (China)

　　Four Points by Sheraton Cancun Centro (Mexico)

　　Four Points by Sheraton Hefei, Shushan (China)

　　Four Points by Sheraton Bogota (Colombia)

　　Four Points by Sheraton Brisbane (Australia)

　　Four Points by Sheraton Colombo, International Airport (Colombo, Sri Lanka)

　　Four Points by Sheraton Tripoli (Libya)

　　"As our pipeline proves, there"s plenty of room for Four Points to keep growing, with massive potential in markets we haven"t even begun to tap," said Simon Turner, Starwood"s President of Global Development. "Considering the brand"s powerful positioning, untapped growth channels like conversion projects in developed markets and new build hotels in under-hoteled emerging markets, and ever-stronger demand from partners and developers worldwide, we"re looking toward a very bright future for Four Points."

　　Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President of Specialty Select Brands for Starwood, agreed. "There"s an enormous and growing global appetite for affordable, reliable hotels. That"s what Four Points delivers, and it"s why the brand continues to resonate with a huge spectrum of travelers," he said. "Tremendous loyalty from guests has also been a big part of the Four Points" success, and we"ll keep fueling growth by delivering great experiences."