Four Points by Sheraton Survey Reveals Mobile Device Habits of Business Travelers Worldwide

Left to Their Own “Devices,” Road Warriors are Pros at Connecting on the Road

STAMFORD, Conn. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Aug. 20, 2012 - When today’s road warriors hit the trail, they are armed with three or four mobile devices to help them stay connected to office and home. They are more inclined to carry a tablet than a laptop. And, when these business travelers communicate with the home front from their hotel room, they are most likely do so with a video chat.

These are among the results of a hotel business and technology study commissioned by Four Points by Sheraton, a Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) brand. The survey polled a total of 6,000 business travelers globally, 1,000 each from the United States, the United Kingdom, China, India, Germany and Brazil. Four Points, with the second largest brand pipeline in the Starwood portfolio, is growing rapidly across nearly 30 countries and carefully monitors the needs and habits of business travelers as part of its commitment to remain “best for business.” Four Points is perfectly positioned to help keep business travelers connected, offering fast, complimentary WiFi in public spaces at all of its hotels around the world. Complimentary in-room Internet access is also provided across the entire North American division.

Brian McGuinness, Starwood’s senior vice president, specialty select brands, commented, “The Four Points study contains compelling results, including evidence that trends such as staying in touch with family via video chat – preferred even over email, text and phone – are accelerating.” McGuinness continued, “The study affirms that the Four Points brand is meeting a continued need by offering complimentary WiFi or in-room Internet access, and by continuing to expand bandwidth throughout the portfolio. We know what our business travelers want and we don’t nickel and dime them – we just deliver it.” Among the key findings:

How business travelers connect

Why business travelers connect

Business travelers’ communicating style

About Four Points by Sheraton

Great Hotels. Great Rates: With over 160 Four Points by Sheraton hotels in nearly 30 countries, travelers can find the timeless style and comfort they’re looking for with genuine service and everything that matters most, all around the world. From Santiago to Shanghai and Milan to Milwaukee, Four Points hotels can be found in big urban centers, by the airport, near the beach, and in the suburbs. A recent $1 billion invested in renovations, conversions, and new-build hotels has made the brand stronger than ever.

Four Points by Sheraton, like all brands within Starwood’s portfolio, is proud to offer the Starwood Preferred Guest® program, which offers a breakthrough policy of no blackout dates on Free Night Awards. To learn more, visit http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.spg.com&esheet=50382049&lan=en-US&anchor=www.spg.com&index=4&md5=4b38a65cf4a309cdde4371c833ae1ddb. Stay connected to Four Points on Facebook at facebook.com/fourpoints.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1,112 properties in nearly 100 countries and 154,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, and ElementSM. The Company boasts one of the industry’s leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. Starwood also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., a premier provider of world-class vacation experiences through villa-style resorts and privileged access to Starwood brands. For more information, please visit http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.starwoodhotels.com&esheet=50382049&lan=en-US&anchor=www.starwoodhotels.com&index=6&md5=decb3ea565e4c519abff6385b9e7faa2.

Source: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Contacts:

Middleton & Gendron Inc.
Shara Seigel | Jamie Donovan
212-284-9938 | 212-980-9194
sseigel@mg-pr.com | jdonovan@mg-pr.com

About Four Points by Sheraton

Four Points by Sheraton delivers everything you need to unwind on the road.

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