Bangkok--9 Aug--eTurboNews NEW CULINARY PACKAGES “TASTE THE MEDITERRANEAN” FOR FOOD AND WINE LOVERS Starwood Hotels & Resorts of Italy, Malta and Croatia is pleased to announce the launch of its interactive web campaign, “Taste the Mediterranean.” Designed to promote the distinct and unique flavors of this popular region, “Taste the Mediterranean” is a web-only travel package for food and wine lovers available at www.starwoodeurope.com/med/ . Reservations for the “Taste the Mediterranean” package must be secured by the campaign end date of August 31, 2007. Also part of the web campaign are interactive video games that involve recipes of classic Mediterranean cuisine. The “Taste the Mediterranean” package includes hotel accommodations, a three-course lunch OR dinner for two in one of Starwood’s legendary restaurants, regional gastronomic delights in the hotel room and a daily buffet breakfast for two. Double Starpoints will also be extended during this special offer. The “Taste the Mediterranean” package requires a minimum two-night stay and priced from 126.00 euros per room per night. It is only available July 15 through December 31 and must be booked by August 31, 2007. For reservations online, click the “Book Now” button beside the hotel of your choice. To book by phone, call reservations and ask for the rate plan “Flavors.” The participating hotels of the “Taste the Mediterranean” package include: The Westin Excelsior & Grand Hotel in Florence; Le M?ridien Gallia, The Westin Palace & Sheraton Diana Majestic in Milan; Le Meridien Rimini; St. Regis Grand Hotel, The Westin Excelsior Rome & Sheraton Roma Hotel & Conference Center in Rome; Le Meridien Lingotto in Turin; Hotel Danieli, The Westin Europa & Regina & Hotel Gritti Palace in Venice; Hotel Villa Cipriani in Asolo; The Westin Dragonara Resort, Le Meridien St. Julians & Le Meridien Phoenicia in Malta and Le Meridien Lav in Split. The web campaign also includes an interactive video game that engages visitors in an exciting challenge on the site. When entering the site, visitors are welcomed with “Guess the dish!" and are invited to match images and recipes to complete an entire menu. Recipes are also available to download. "We're trying to engage consumers with an experience that goes beyond one-way communication so they have a reason to visit our sites and discover our properties under different perspectives," said Jacques Rossignaud, Regional Online Marketing, Italy & Central Mediterranean. 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 Meridien 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 and www.starwoodpressclub.com . Media Contact Paul Burditch Burditch Marketing Communications +1.323.932.6262 [email protected]