Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide (NYSE: HOT) is a hospitality ownership, management, and franchise organization based in White Plains, New York. The company owns, operates, franchises and manages hospitality properties under its 8 owned brands. As of November 25, 2005 the firm operated more than 850 hotels with about 232,000 rooms worldwide. Starwood Preferred Guest is the company's frequent stay program.

History

Starwood acquired Sheraton, Four Points, and The Luxury Collection through its acquisition of ITT Sheraton.

Starwood also inherited the original St. Regis hotel on Fifth Ave. in its 1998 acquisition. It subsequently grew the name and franchise into more properties.

In 1999, Starwood launched the "W" Brand which has been described as a "fun, hip and exciting hotel collection that happily marries boutique hotel flair with the quality and functionality of larger brand hotels."