Starwood Hotels & Resorts has received the World Travel Award for ‘Africa’s Leading Hotel Brand’ at a prestigious ceremony that took place in Durban, South Africa, on 11 May 2009. The most important night for Africa’s travel and tourism industry, the World Travel Awards celebrate the achievements of some of the region’s finest travel brands with more than 500 African organizations nominated.

“It is an honor for us to receive such a prestigious prize and it is a great reward for our hotels in Africa. Our associates take pride in making each guest stay memorable and this recognition highlights the superior customer experience found in our world-class hotels operating here” commented Hassan Ahdab, Vice President, Regional Director, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Africa and the Indian Ocean, “Starwood will continue to deliver outstanding guest experiences to travelers whilst continuing to strengthen our presence in this thriving market”.

In addition to Starwood Hotels & Resorts taking home the award for the Africa’s Leading Hotel Brand, three individual Starwood hotels were also recognized at the ceremony. Le Royal Mansour Méridien Casablanca was voted Morocco's Leading Hotel, Le Méridien Douala received the accolade of Cameroon’s Leading Hotel and the prestigious title of Africa’s Leading Hotel went to the Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa.

The World Travel Awards were launched in 1993 with the aim of encouraging the travel and tourism industry to embrace the pursuit of excellence. The annual ceremony gains international recognition by focusing on one of the most important aspects of travel and tourism – the quality customer experience. Votes are cast by thousands of industry professionals from 170,000 travel and tourism organizations in 160 countries.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 960 properties in approximately 97 countries and 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 AloftSM, and ElementSM.  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

Starwood Hotels & Resorts has received the World Travel Award for ‘Africa’s Leading Hotel Brand’ at a prestigious ceremony that took place in Durban, South Africa, on 11 May 2009. The most important night for Africa’s travel and tourism industry, the World Travel Awards celebrate the achievements of some of the region’s finest travel brands with more than 500 African organizations nominated.

“It is an honor for us to receive such a prestigious prize and it is a great reward for our hotels in Africa. Our associates take pride in making each guest stay memorable and this recognition highlights the superior customer experience found in our world-class hotels operating here” commented Hassan Ahdab, Vice President, Regional Director, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Africa and the Indian Ocean, “Starwood will continue to deliver outstanding guest experiences to travelers whilst continuing to strengthen our presence in this thriving market”.

In addition to Starwood Hotels & Resorts taking home the award for the Africa’s Leading Hotel Brand, three individual Starwood hotels were also recognized at the ceremony. Le Royal Mansour Méridien Casablanca was voted Morocco's Leading Hotel, Le Méridien Douala received the accolade of Cameroon’s Leading Hotel and the prestigious title of Africa’s Leading Hotel went to the Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa.

The World Travel Awards were launched in 1993 with the aim of encouraging the travel and tourism industry to embrace the pursuit of excellence. The annual ceremony gains international recognition by focusing on one of the most important aspects of travel and tourism – the quality customer experience. Votes are cast by thousands of industry professionals from 170,000 travel and tourism organizations in 160 countries.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 960 properties in approximately 97 countries and 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 AloftSM, and ElementSM.  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