As Cirque du Soleil's Australia and Greater China Partner, Starwood Offers SPG® Members Unparalleled Access to Show Premieres, Behind the Scenes Tours, Q&A Sessions, Plus Exclusive Guest Rates and SPG Special Offers on Cirque du Soleil Performances

Singapore - August 29, 2013-- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) and its award-winning Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG®) loyalty program today announced an exclusive new extended partnership with Cirque du Soleil, the world-renowned live entertainment company. This exciting alliance, encompassing all nine of Starwood's compelling brands, builds on the success of an existing partnership between Cirque du Soleil and Starwood Preferred Guest's Europe, Africa and the Middle East, and North America Divisions.

With the extended alliance to Asia Pacific, Starwood is now the Official Hospitality and Accommodations Supplier Partner of Cirque du Soleil for its Australia and Greater China Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour™ shows. An electrifying production set in a rock concert format, Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour™ combines the excitement and innovation of Michael Jackson's music and choreography with Cirque du Soleil's unparalleled creativity. Since its October 2012 premiere, the production has broken box office records globally; it continues to stun audiences with Jackson's powerful, inspirational music brought to life with breathless intensity.

"We are delighted to give our members in Asia Pacific the opportunity to be inspired and wowed by the spectacular shows only Cirque du Soleil can deliver," said Natasha Dimmock, Vice President, Distribution, Loyalty & Partnerships, Asia Pacific, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. "Our expanded alliance with Cirque du Soleil brings together two award-winning global brands committed to creating unforgettable experiences driven by passion, spirit and innovation. Now even more of our guests and SPG members will have access to an incredible line-up of Cirque du Soleil experiences that they can share with friends, family and loved ones."

Through this innovative partnership, SPG offers unparalleled access to Cirque du Soleil experiences through its Moments by SPG program. By transforming Starpoints® into a variety of extraordinary experiences, Moments Culture events with Cirque du Soleil include behind-the-scenes tours, Meet & Greet sessions and dress rehearsals with Cirque du Soleil production staff and performers. With direct access to the heart and soul of the Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour™ production, guests will get a personal feel for the powerful artistic inspiration of the King of Pop, and the celebration of a legacy that continues to transcend generations.

"Cirque du Soleil is very pleased to be partnering with Starwood Hotels and Resorts, to bring the incredibly successful Michael Jackson the Immortal World Tour™ to Australia and China," said Louis Malafarina, Cirque du Soleil Corporate Alliances Director. "This high energy show guarantees an unforgettable night out for Michael Jackson and Cirque du Soleil fans & SPG members alike."

Exclusive to SPG members residing in Australia, the partnership also provides members with special offers on Cirque du Soleil performances as well as accommodation packages at Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. Offers are subject to availability. 

To explore current Starwood Hotel Cirque du Soleil offers, visit Starwoodpromos.com/cirquedusoleil.

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About Starwood Preferred Guest

Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG®) is an innovative, award-winning frequent traveler program that unites each of Starwood's 9 distinctive hotel brands and includes more luxury hotels in more destinations around the world.  SPG reinvented the hospitality loyalty landscape when it launched in 1999 with its breakthrough policy of no blackout dates, and over the years has continued its tradition of innovation with enhancements such as Cash + Points, SPG MomentsSM, and most recently Your24TM and SPG LifetimeTM.  In addition to Free Night Awards at over 1,100 hotels and resorts and Award Flights on over 350 major airlines without blackout dates, the Starpoints® that members earn through SPG can be redeemed for access like to no other to experiences in music, sports and the arts through SPG Moments.  SPG also has an ongoing commitment to digital innovation to meet the needs of today's connected global traveler - from the SPG app for iPhone that utilizes state-aware technology to create a more personalized hotel stay to Starwood's Best Rate Guarantee on SPG.com, to SPG's integration within various social media platforms.  Offerings such as these have helped SPG build a passionate member base among the world's most frequent travelers.  Learn more at spg.com and spg.com/moments and connect with us on twitter.com/spg, instagram.com/spg, facebook.com/spg, foursquare.com/spg, pinterest.com/spglife, and youtube.com/spg.

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 (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 Cirque du Soleil

From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is a major Québec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has 5,000 employees, including more than 1,300 artists from more than 50 different countries. Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to more than 100 million spectators in more than 300 cities in over 40 countries on six continents. In 2013, Cirque du Soleil will present simultaneously 20 different shows around the world.

For more information about Cirque du Soleil, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com

For information about ONE DROP, please visit www.onedrop.org.

Punnee Bunma

MANAGER, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS

T 65 6335 4824    M 65 9770 5234      F 65 6335 4820

STARWOOD ASIA PACIFIC HOTELS & RESORTS PTE.LTD.
9 TEMASEK BOULEVARD, #24-02

SUNTEC TOWER TWO

SINGAPORE 038989

Alethea Lam

DIRECTOR, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS

T 65 6335 4804     F 65 6335 4820

STARWOOD ASIA PACIFIC HOTELS & RESORTS PTE.LTD.
9 TEMASEK BOULEVARD, #24-02

SUNTEC TOWER TWO

SINGAPORE 038989