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Starwood Hotels' Design-Led Aloft Brand to Debut in Raleigh

Catering to the Next Generation of Travelers, Aloft Raleigh will open in 2015 across from North Carolina State University as Part of the Hillsborough Street Rejuvenation

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.® (NYS: HOT) today announced that its sizzling Aloft brand is set to arrive in Raleigh, North Carolina. Aloft Raleigh is slated to open in mid-2015 on Hillsborough Street, across the street from North Carolina State University's iconic bell tower. Owned by a joint venture between the Bernstein Companies and Bell View Partners, Aloft Raleigh will feature 135 spacious, loft-like rooms, tech-forward innovation and a buzzing social atmosphere. It will be the brand's fifth hotel in North Carolina.

"We are delighted to debut Aloft in Raleigh and expect the hotel will emerge as a hotspot among savvy travelers, area professionals and students in this dynamic university town," said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President, Specialty Select Brands for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. "Just five years since it launched, Aloft recently opened its 75th hotel and is coming online in new markets all the time."

The design of Aloft Raleigh will pay tribute to NC State's heritage and its future. One side of the hotel will feature a brick façade inspired by the NC State campus, while the other side will make use of glass and steel to create a more modern look. A 55 foot sculpture created by renowned Raleigh artist Thomas Sayre will join the two sides together.

"The art is a visible representation of how the sound of a bell is created," said Sayre. "It is extraordinary how much importance the development team has placed on merging public art and building design together in order to create a memorable threshold to the campus."

"We have the utmost respect for the history of NC State University and the Bell Tower and have worked hard to design a project that will fit in with its surroundings," said Mark Andrews of Bell View. "This is the type of project that will make a positive and lasting impact on the community, and we are looking forward to this vision coming to fruition."

The Bell View project has received positive feedback from university leaders and members of the surrounding community. "This project is another positive step forward in the revitalization of Hillsborough Street," said Jeff Murrison, executive director of the Hillsborough Street Community Service Corporation. "Everyone has been pleased with the attention to detail that has gone into this project and the way it will fit into our neighborhood."

Aloft Raleigh will feature its signature W XYZ Bar, a Splash outdoor pool and more than 1,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, perfect for business meetings and social gatherings. In addition, there will be two retail storefronts on Hillsborough Street and an outdoor space on the second floor that extends over the Hillsborough Street sidewalk to create an inviting and engaging atmosphere. A parking deck will be situated behind the hotel and hidden from view.

Walking distance to a variety of clubs, restaurants, and the North Carolina State Capitol building, Aloft Raleigh will also be close to the Raleigh Convention Center, the BTI Performing Arts Center, Research Triangle Park and Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU).

Pioneering initiatives in music, design, and technology have positioned Aloft as a must-have brand for the next generation of travelers. Aloft has reported consistently high guest satisfaction scores since launch, reflecting the success of its modern and vibrant design at an affordable price point.

About Aloft Hotels

With more than 75 hotels in 14 countries around the world, Starwood's Aloft brand delivers a fresh approach to the traditional staid hotel landscape. For the 'always on' next generation of traveler, the Aloft brand offers a tech-forward, vibrant experience and a modern style that is different by design. For more information, please visit www.alofthotels.com. Aloft, like all brands within Starwood's portfolio, is proud to offer the Starwood Preferred Guest(R) program, the industry's richest loyalty program. To learn more, please visit www.spg.com.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1,162 properties in nearly 100 countries and 171,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, and Element®. The Company boasts one of the industry's leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest(R) (SPG), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. Starwood also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., a premier provider of world-class vacation experiences through villa-style resorts and privileged access to Starwood brands. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

About Bell View Partners
Bell View Partners is a team of experienced Raleigh NC developers including Mark Andrews, Michael Sandman and Joe Whitehouse. The partners have owned and developed all types of real estate in the Raleigh area. The group's previous projects include The Paramount and The Cypress of Raleigh.

About The Bernstein Companies
The Bernstein Companies comprise one of Washington, D.C.'s oldest and most respected real estate development, investment, and management organizations. Founded in 1933, The Bernstein Companies owns, manages, develops and invests in a variety of commercial and residential properties, with a focus on office buildings and hotels. Since 1982, the firm has owned, developed and operated over 2,000 hotel rooms. Through its Legacy Portfolio, private REIT, and Tax Credit Division, the company has over $1 billion in assets under management. For more information, please visit www.thebernsteincompanies.com.

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