Global hotel brand Le M�ridien Hotels & Resorts is planning to extend its presence in Central Europe following the signing of a management agreement for a new five star hotel in Prague. The developers are J&T Global, based in Prague and the Belgian company Buelens Real Estate.

Le Royal M�ridien Prague will be located in a listed building currently used as the head office of a bank and is situated in the old part of the town.

When the redevelopment of the property is completed, the hotel, which is due to open early 2009, will have a minimum of 165 rooms, including 18 suites; meeting rooms; restaurant, bar and street caf�; a fitness club and parking.

Michael Wale, Senior Vice President Le M�ridien Operations, said, "We are thrilled to be announcing a new Le M�ridien hotel in Prague � especially as this is the first hotel signing for Le M�ridien since they become part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts on 24 November 2005. I am sure this newest hotel in our European portfolio will quickly establish itself as one of the premier hotels in this part of the world.�

Roeland Vos, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Europe, Middle East & Africa, said �This latest addition to the Le M�ridien portfolio is an exciting and significant development for Starwood, in that it reflects our focus to grow our newest brand. Le Royal M�ridien Prague increases Starwood's commitment to this area of Central Europe, while further expanding on the wonderful Le M�ridien properties we can offer our guests around the world. We are delighted to be working with J&T Global and Belgian Buelens Real Estate on this new hotel and we hope this development is the beginning of a long term partnership with them both.�

Le M�ridien currently operates five hotels in Central Eastern Europe � Budapest, Warsaw, Vienna and two in Moscow. Le M�ridien has a portfolio of 130 luxury and upscale hotels in 53 countries worldwide. The majority of its properties are located in the world's top cities and resorts throughout Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East.

-Ends-

For any further press information, please contact: Kim Stringer Le M�ridien Press Office Le M�ridien Hotels & Resorts kim.stringer@lemeridien.com Tel: 020 7385 7090 www.lemeridien.com

Claire Griffin/Katie Foster/Kathryn Peel Grifco PR claire@grifcopr.com katie@grifcopr.com kathryn@grifcopr.com Tel: +44 (0)20 7150 7737

Note to Editors: The management agreement for Le Royal M�ridien Prague has been signed with developers, J&T Global CZ,a.s. who are based in Prague.

Le M�ridien Le M�ridien Hotels & Resorts, with its portfolio of 130 luxury and upscale hotels in 53 countries worldwide, is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Le M�ridien enjoys a strategic alliance with JAL-owned Nikko Hotels, providing loyal guests access to an additional 52 properties around the world. In the 2005 Luxury Brand Status Index survey Le M�ridien was recognised as one of the top 15 luxury hotel brands. For more information, please visit www.lemeridien.com

Starwood Hotels & Resorts 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 M�ridien� 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.

J&T Global J&T Group develops its main activities and services in the field of corporate investments, property development, private banking, commerce and provision for service on public markets. In next five years the group intends to invest at least 25 billion of Czech crowns in the area of property development. The most substantial projects are the development of multifunctional projects in Bratislava � River Park, Zuckermandel, the surroundings of the former Presscenter, the investment into the development of High Tatras and development of industrial and logistics parks � logistics park near Volkswagen�s factory in Bratislava and supplier park for PSA Peugeot in Trnava. Recently J&T has completed the reconstruction of Crowne Plaza hotel in Bratislava, and plans the reconstruction of the Kempinski hotel River Park and Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras among others. www.jtfg.com

Buelens Real Estate Please visit www.buelensrealestate.com