"We are honored to accept this award and to be included amongsome of the finest companies in the world. Further, we are gratefuland proud of our 120,000 associates worldwide," comments Starwoodchairman and CEO Barry S. Sternlicht. "Starwood emerged from threeheritage companies and this award recognizes the progress we havemade and our global operations in 80 countries."

The Global Finance survey cites Starwood for its acceleratedglobal expansion, including the finalization of 116 hotel contractslast year representing 30,000 guest rooms, in addition to theintegration of its vacation ownership subsidiary, Vistana, whichwas acquired in October 1999 and is now renamed Starwood VacationOwnership. Starwood also received recognition for its ability toattain the most revenue out of available guest rooms, measured interms of revenue per available room. For the six months ending June30, total revenues increased 18% from the same period lastyear.