Spa People in the News

The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa Appoints Brandi Annice Byrd-Lavertu Director for Heavenly Spa by Westin ™

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC (February 20, 2008) – Brandi Annice Byrd-Lavertu has been named Spa Director for the first Heavenly Spa by Westin ™ in the continental United States, which opened in April 2007.

The appointment was announced by Jim McGlashan, General Manager of The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa. “We’re excited to welcome Brandi as Spa Director of our new Heavenly Spa by Westin,” he said.

Byrd-Lavertu brings years of experience to her new position, having previously served as the Spa Director of The Hilton Oceanfront Resort in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. She also owned and operated the Ocean Rayz Spa & Salon in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

While the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa inaugurated the first Heavenly Spa by Westin in the continental United States, there are currently eight other locations worldwide that have graced the brand’s portfolio. This rejuvenating 8,000 square-foot spa facility features nine tranquil treatment rooms for massages, a full service salon and men’s and ladies’ lounges complete with a steam room, sauna and whirlpool. The Heavenly Spa by Westin offers a complete sensory experience to enliven mind, body & spirit, by uplifting the senses, pampering the body and enhancing the state of mind. Each Heavenly Spa by Westin will offer core signature elements consistent at each location, while incorporating many experiences based on “sense of place” through specifically designed treatments celebrating the history, culture and resources of its local community.

Located within Port Royal Plantation, The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa is an AAA Four Diamond Award-winning resort overlooking a newly renourished Atlantic beach and more than 500 guest room and villa accommodations. The resort offers a variety of dining options, outdoor and indoor swimming pools, a full-service health club, running and walking trails, beach and water sports. Guests also have access to the private Port Royal Racquet Club and the Port Royal Golf Club, featuring three spectacular 18-hole golf courses: The Barony, Planter’s Row and Robber’s Row, designed by George W. Cobb, Willard C. Byrd and Pete Dye, respectively. The Port Royal Racquet club features 16 tennis courts featuring all three Grand Slam court surfaces -- clay, hard and grass. The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa also offers over 28,000 square feet of meeting space within 18 meeting rooms, including a 13,200 square-foot Grand Ballroom, an Oceanfront Pavilion and two Executive Boardrooms.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.® (NYSE:HOT) is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 870 properties in more than 100 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 Méridien® 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.