Sydney, Australia :  Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc (NYSE: HOT) today announced that it has signed definitive management agreements to operate the Aggie Grey’s Hotel & Bungalows and Aggie Grey’s Lagoon, Beach Resort & Spa on the island of Upolu Samoa.  The hotels will join the Starwood Hotels & Resorts group immediately, and will relaunch as the Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Hotel and the Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Resort, respectively, by mid-2014 following extensive renovations. The signings mark Starwood’s debut into the region, with Sheraton once again the first international hotel brand to enter the market.

Owned by the Grey family, who also have an association with Starwood on the Le Meridien Resort in Tahiti, the Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Hotel and the Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Resort, will undergo multi-million dollar renovations to bring them up to Sheraton brand standards.

“We are delighted to announce this partnership and build on our already strong relationship with the Grey Family,” said Sean Hunt, Regional Vice President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Pacific. “The Grey family has been an institution in Samoa providing superior service and amenities since the early 1900s.

Matthew Fry, Senior Vice President, Acquisitions and Development, Starwood Asia Pacific, continued: “The signing of Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Hotel and Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Resort further solidifies Starwood’s position as a market leader in the Pacific Region and we are proud to be the first international brand to offer accommodation in Samoa.”

Aggie Grey’s Hotel & Bungalows has been closed since December 2012 and will reopen in 2014 as Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Hotel after a complete redevelopment. One of the most famous hotels in the South Pacific, the iconic Aggie Grey’s Hotel & Bungalows was founded by Aggie Grey in 1933 and is steeped in rich history. The property has always been a popular choice among the elite, from best-selling authors to members of the glamorous Hollywood scene.

The Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Hotel will feature 198 guest rooms and suites, situated in a stunning waterfront location in the centre of Apia, Samoa’s largest commercial hub and capital. Located 45 minutes from the airport, the hotel will also offer over 17,000 square feet of meeting space making it an enticing option for business travellers.

The Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Resort is conveniently positioned five minutes from the airport, and will feature 140 guest rooms and suites all set on stunning lagoon beachfront on the west coast of Upolu. Each guest room will offer white sand beach and ocean views. The resort will have tennis courts and offer nearby golf facilities.

Both properties will offer Sheraton Fitness Programmed by Core Performance, LINK @ Sheraton experienced with Microsoft, a signature restaurant and bar, full service casino, and a large outdoor resort style fantasy pool and pool bar.

Fred Grey, current owner and Managing Director of the Aggie Grey’s Group said: “We are thrilled to announce these new signings with Starwood, a leading internationally recognized hotel company committed to providing excellent guest facilities, experiences and services across the globe.”

Mr. Grey continues, “We are thrilled to have a leading global hotel brand in Samoa and believe it will have a positive impact on the destination’s development.  In partnership with Starwood, we will attract more visitors to Samoa by appealing to a wider audience with the iconic Sheraton brand.”

These latest signings for the upper upscale Sheraton brand, furthers the brand’s aggressive global expansion plan as it nears its 500th hotel milestone by 2016. Starwood also recently announced the signing of Sheraton Fiji Resort & Spa, Tokoriki Island, which will join a robust list of 2014 hotel openings in the region, including Sheraton Melbourne Hotel, Four Points by Sheraton Brisbane and Sheraton New Caledonia Deva Resort & Spa.

Today, Starwood operates 14 properties across the Pacific region, with nine hotels in Australia, including Sheraton on the Park; The Westin Sydney and The Westin Melbourne; Sheraton Mirage Resort & Spa, Gold Coast and Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort; in addition to three hotels in Fiji and two in New Caledonia.  Starwood Hotels & Resorts in the Pacific manages properties under a range of brands including Westin, Sheraton, Le Meridien, and Four Points by Sheraton.