The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts Brings America’s Treasured Destinations to Life with New Guide Book Published by Assouline

The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), today unveils the limited-edition U.S. Destination Guide, which is part of a special set of carefully crafted and beautifully bound books published by Assouline. A passport to the brand’s impressive ensemble of over 75 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in more than 30 countries, the exclusive set unlocks hidden charms of The Luxury Collection’s most breathtaking properties and geographical regions – India, Italy, Argentina, Spain, Greece and The United States. To celebrate the debut of the U.S. Destination Guide, The Luxury Collection has enlisted discerning global travelers from multiple disciplines to share their most memorable travel experiences for a video, which will live on the brand’s website.

The U.S. Destination Guide is a visually stunning journey through the country’s most treasured destinations, featuring shopping and dining recommendations, cultural happenings and insights from noteworthy contributors, including celebrated author Jay McInerney and acclaimed Chef Charlie Palmer, Executive Chef of Charlie Palmer at The Joule, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Dallas. Palmer discusses the country’s gastronomic landscape, offers his favorite food festivals coast to coast and shares his mom’s barbeque chicken recipe while McInerney, a wine connoisseur and impassioned traveler, offers best-kept East Coast vineyard secrets, West Coast architectural jewels and hidden haunts throughout America not to be overlooked by tourists.

The new pocket-sized guide is a passport to all that is truly unique about the United States, distilling insider advice on the types of unforgettable experiences that locals and the most seasoned travelers enjoy. Among the celebrated and iconic properties that make up The Luxury Collection portfolio, thirteen span the United States: from Boston’s restored Charles Street jail now The Liberty to San Diego’s regal U.S. Grant or the idyllic Royal Hawaiian, imbued with the elegance of Waikiki’s rich history.

"I inherited a passion for travel from my parents and I’m continually exploring the globe in search of new sensations, stories and characters,” says guest contributor Jay McInerney. "To paraphrase Samuel Johnson, ‘the man who is tired of travel is tired of life.’"

The Luxury Collection has also enlisted several other discerning global travelers, including model Chanel Iman, fashion designer Cynthia Rowley, writer/actress Jessica Joffe, publisher Prosper Assouline, entrepreneur Graham Hill, photographer Claiborne Swanson-Frank, Global Explorer Waris Ahluwalia, chef Geoffrey Zakarian, Food & Wine Editor Dana Cowin and Departures Editor Richard David Story, to share their most memorable travel experiences and what inspires them to explore destinations in unique ways. The raw-cut, black and white video montage personifies the brand’s mantra, "Life is a Collection of Experiences. Let us be your Guide”, and will be available to view at www.luxurycollection.com/travelstories.

"We are thrilled to share this iteration of the Destination Guides with our guests because we know they have an insatiable appetite to travel, explore and discover,” said Paul James, Global Brand Leader, St. Regis and The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts. "Summoning The United States’ rich culture and distinctive heritage, this tome is an excellent resource for discerning travelers who want to experience the indigenous treasures of a destination with the unparalleled service and style they have come to expect from The Luxury Collection.”

Celebrating the debut of The U.S. Destination Guide, The Luxury Collection will host an exclusive cocktail event at the newest member of the brand’s portfolio – The Chatwal New York – on Tuesday, October 18, 2011 where guests will experience an exquisite menu inspired by American travel, curated by Chef Geoffrey Zakarian and Chef Charlie Palmer. Following cocktails, the journey continues with an intimate private dinner in The Chatwal New York’s Stanford White Studio.

The Luxury Collection brand’s U.S. Destination Guide is exclusively offered as a part of a complete set of six in a unique vintage-inspired gift box at Assouline Boutiques in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, www.luxurycollection.com/assouline and other major retail stores for $140. The Luxury Collection will be releasing the final limited-edition guide book, the Greece Destination Guide, in Spring 2012.

The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts

The Luxury Collection® is an ensemble of hotels and resorts offering unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories. For the global explorer, The Luxury Collection offers a gateway to the world’s most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort is a unique and cherished expression of its location; a portal to the destination’s indigenous charms and treasures. Magnificent décor, spectacular settings, impeccable service and the latest modern conveniences combine to provide a uniquely enriching experience. Originated in 1906 as a collection of Europe’s most celebrated and iconic properties, today The Luxury Collection brand is a glittering ensemble of more than 75 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in more than 30 countries in bustling cities and spectacular destinations around the world. The Luxury Collection includes award-winning properties that continuously exceed guest expectations by offering unparalleled service, style and class while celebrating each hotel’s distinctive heritage and unique character. All of these hotels, many of them centuries old, are internationally recognized as being among the world’s finest. For more information, please visit www.luxurycollection.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 1058 properties in 100 countries and territories with 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels 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, and the recently launched Aloft®, and Element SM. 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 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.