Amman - December 19, 2006: Saraya Aqaba Real Estate Development psc., and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., the premium hotel operator and leisure company, officially signed an agreement to operate two hotels in the Saraya Aqaba project in Jordan, the Westin Aqaba Resort under the "Westin" brand and Al-Manara hotel under "The Luxury Collection" brand; in addition to operating the adjacent "boutique" hotel.

"We're thrilled to be part of this highly-regarded resort development with the Westin and the Luxury Collection brands, which will make their debut into Jordan." said Roeland Vos, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Europe, Africa and Middle East." The Westin focus on renewal, personal and instinctive services, will set a new level of experience through its signature products, style and design while the unparalleled attention to guest needs and preferences and the exceptional and distinctive Luxury Collection properties will provide guests with the most enriching hotel experiences". 

"Saraya Aqaba, a world-class premium travel destination, showcasing uniqueness and distinction, from inception to creation, by choosing an exceptional natural environment that can be enhanced through outstandingly conceived developments. The project includes a selection of the finest hotels, retail, entertainment, leisure and sport facilities in addition to luxurious residential units; that meet customers and business needs and expectations" said Mr. Ali Kolaghassi, Vice Chairman & CEO of Saraya. "Partnering with brands such as Westin and the Luxury Collection comes as a manifestation of our pioneering vision", Ali Kolaghassi added.

Located on the shores of Saraya Aqaba's man-made lagoon, the Westin Aqaba Resort is a picturesque beachfront resort built in a traditional Middle Eastern architecture.  The Westin will offer 300 elegant rooms including 23 suites, four main restaurants with terraces overlooking lush gardens and waterfront views, health and fitness club, world-class day spa, specialty shops, children's club and teenager's activity center, and outdoor recreation facilities with two swimming pools and a private beach. 

The Luxurious Al-Manara Hotel, distinguished by its rich and unique traditional architecture, is ideally positioned at the mouth of Saraya Aqaba's lagoon, stretching along a sandy beachfront and protected with a Breakwater with a lighthouse.

The Al-Manara Hotel will offer 200 guestrooms, including 18 suites, three main restaurants with waterfront views, specialty shops, health club, spa and recreational facilities access, swimming pools and private beaches facing both the Gulf of Aqaba and Saraya lagoon.

The exclusive build contractor for Saraya Aqaba project is Saudi Oger Ltd, ensuring the delivery of the highest specifications and construction standards.

-Ends-

About Saraya Aqaba
Saraya Aqaba is Saraya's first project located on the western tip of Aqaba around a man-made lagoon. The project will commence operations in 2009, adding approximately 1.5km of beachfront to the Gulf of Aqaba.

The project comprises approximately 617,000sqm (not including Radisson SAS land) of master planned development combining shopping, dining, entertainment, freehold accommodation and cultural activities within the context of an authentically styled ancient city, all built around a man-made lagoon. The approximate total cost of the project is US$995.7 million, with a total construction cost of US$700 million.

Saraya Aqaba features six luxury 5-star hotels, three of which are operated by Jumeirah, the Dubai-based luxury hospitality group, who also operates the Water Park and manages Grand Villas and Villas in this new large scale project. Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc will operate the other three hotels in the project. In addition to these hotels, and Water Park, there will be ample residences, a convention center, an old souk and a wharf promenade. Saraya Aqaba aims to cater to the needs of Aqaba's local residents, as well as regional and international visitors and businessmen.

Saraya's founding partners in this project are the Social Security Corporation (SSC), the Arab Bank, the Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC), and a number of individual and corporate investors.

The exclusive build contractor for Saraya Aqaba project is Saudi Oger Ltd, ensuring the delivery of the highest specifications and construction standards.

For more information, pls. visit www.sarayaaqaba.jo

About 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 Mridien and the recently announced aloftSM and ELEMENTSM Hotels. 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/pressclub 

For further information please contact:
Dimah Khalili
Media Communication and PR Manager
Saraya
P.O. Box: 815321 - Amman 11180,
Jordan
Tel: +962 6 5505444
Fax: +962 6 5561738
E-mail: dkhalili@sarayaholdings.com

For media requests, please contact:
Layth Dajani
The CONTENT Factory
P.O. Box 29764, Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Tel: +97143341880
Tel 2: +97143676534
Fax: +97184480574
Mobile: +971507145640
E-mail: layth@tcf-me.com

© Press Release 2006