Westin Hotels and Intrawest Announce Plans for First Luxury Ski Resort

    Business Editors/Travel & Hospitality Writers

    WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 5, 2005--

    Scheduled to Open in 2007, The Westin Monache, Mammoth, at The Village at Mammoth is Third Venture between Starwood and Intrawest

    Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) and Intrawest Corporation (Intrawest) (IDR:NYSE; ITW:TSX) today announced plans to build a 230-unit condominium-hotel under the hotel company's upper-upscale Westin brand in Mammoth Lakes, California. The Westin Monache (pronounced "mon-ah-she"), Mammoth, will be the first full-service, luxury property in the region and the flagship property of The Village at Mammoth. Construction will begin in spring 2005 and scheduled to be completed in spring 2007. The Westin Monache, Mammoth, in Mammoth Lakes will be the third venture between Intrawest and Starwood, following The Westin Resort and Spa at Tremblant, Quebec which opened in 2000 and The Westin Trillium House at Blue Mountain in Ontario, which is scheduled to open in late summer 2005.
    One of the fastest-growing mountain destinations in North America, Mammoth is located in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains (south of Reno, NV and east of Los Angeles). The resort hosted close to 1.5 million skiers last season, making it one of the top three most visited ski areas in the U.S. and California's most popular four-season mountain destinations. In addition, Mammoth ranked in the top 10 of Ski Magazine's 2005 Reader Resort Survey.
    "The arrival of the first international hotel brand is a very significant step for Mammoth to be recognized as a world-class destination," said Peter Cowley, VP Lodging Product Development for Intrawest. "Westin is an ideal partnership for us because it's a company with strong customer loyalty and a reputation of four star service and quality."
    The Village at Mammoth - a 2004 American Resort Development Association Award recipient for excellence - is largely considered the driving force behind the area's renaissance. The Village's design borrowed from European alpine ski towns and includes year-round activities and attractions, plus great shopping, fine restaurants, exciting nightlife and many special events.
    "Intrawest has a proven track record of developing superior mountain and warm weather destinations," said Sue Brush, senior vice president of Westin Hotels & Resorts. "They also share our commitment to quality and creating memorable guest experiences."
    The Westin Monache, Mammoth will be located in The Village at Mammoth and adjacent to Mammoth Mountain's new 15-passenger express gondola. Among its many amenities, the new property will include stunning panoramic views of the mountains; a full service restaurant; 24 hour room service; ski valet; a pool and hot tubs; fitness facilities; underground parking; and over 3000 square feet of meeting space.
    Mammoth Mountain is an Intrawest Resort. Intrawest Corporation (IDR:NYSE; ITW:TSX) is one of the world's leading destination resort and adventure-travel companies. Intrawest has interests in 10 mountain resorts in North America's most popular mountain destinations, including Whistler Blackcomb, a host venue for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The company owns Canadian Mountain Holidays, the largest heli-skiing operation in the world and a 67% interest in Abercrombie & Kent, the world leader in luxury adventure travel. The Intrawest network also includes Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Florida, and Club Intrawest - a private resort club with nine locations throughout North America. Intrawest is developing five additional resort village developments at locations in North America and Europe. Intrawest is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. For more information, visit www.intrawest.com.
    Westin Hotels & Resorts, with 121 hotels and resorts in 30 countries and territories, is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) and was voted the number one upper-upscale hotel brand for three years in Business Travel News' "Annual U.S. Hotel Chain Survey." Starwood. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 750 properties in more than 80 countries and 110,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. With internationally renowned brands, Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts including: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, W brands, as well as 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

** Please contact Starwood's new, toll-free media hotline at (866) 4-STAR-PR (866-478-2777) for photography or additional information.**

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CONTACT: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Corporate Public Relations Ellen Gallo/Mark Ricci 914-640-8167/914-640-8496 or Intrawest Leisure and Travel Group Vice President, Lodging Product Development Peter Cowley, 303-454-4557 pcowley@intrawest.com or Lyman Public Relations Chris Lyman, 530-546-3872 chris@lymanpr.com

KEYWORD: NEW YORK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TRAVEL REAL ESTATE BUILDING/CONSTRUCTION MARKETING AGREEMENTS SOURCE: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

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