The Sheraton Columbia Town Center Hotel is Reinvented
Following an Extensive $12 Million Transformation

COLUMBIA, Md., April 21, 2009 – The Sheraton Columbia Town Center Hotel, wholly-owned and operated by Interstate Hotels & Resorts, announced today the completion of a comprehensive $12 million dollar renovation, with all 290-guest rooms and public spaces entirely transformed. Exterior upgrades such as painting, entrance enhancements, and landscaping will be concluded this summer.

Inspired by serene lake views that are visible throughout the property, the hotel’s public spaces and guest rooms reflect the organic beauty found just outside its doors. Accented with elements of natural wood, stacked stone and water, the design carries the tranquility of the outdoors throughout the lobby, public areas, meeting spaces and guest rooms. Environmentally conscious upgrades to lighting, heating and cooling systems were also part of the property improvements, increasing energy efficiency throughout the hotel.

The new lobby provides a sweeping statement of how the extensive renovation has re-energized the property and transformed the overall experience of staying at Columbia’s leading hotel.  The dramatic 10-story atrium greets guests with an abundance of natural light, warm undertones, sophisticated textiles, a signature water feature, and dual registration pods which create a truly personable arrival. Another key feature of the improved lobby is the Link@SheratonSM, a communal connection destination with free Wi-Fi and broadband access, comfortable seating, and a flat-screen LCD television.

“We are delighted to share all these new elements with our guests,” said General Manager Orkun Aydin. “This hotel is unlike any other property in Columbia. The exceptional architectural and design features inspired by nature provide a higher level of style and atmosphere for our guests. These renovations,” continued Aydin, “coupled with our already high service standards, completely transform the experience.”

All 290-newly revitalized guest rooms and suites feature the signature Sheraton Sweet Sleeper™ Bed, which boasts a multi-layered, lavishly plush custom designed bed, feather down pillows, crisp cotton sheets and signature blanket and duvet. Other features include flat-screen LCD televisions, spacious work desks, ergonomic chairs, completely remodeled bathrooms with granite, wood and brushed nickel accents, Bliss® bath amenities, and in-room Starbucks® coffee and tea.

Located in a resort-like setting among twelve wooded acres, the hotel is a popular destination for corporate meetings, social events, weddings, and for business and leisure travelers visiting the Baltimore-Washington region.  Situated along Lake Kittamaquandi which literally translates to “the meeting place,” the Sheraton’s revitalized function spaces have been completely refurbished. Total meeting square footage has increased from 12,000 to 14,000 and two new meeting rooms have been created: the Patuxent Boardroom, an airy space with comfortable, ergonomic chairs and large windows facing the lake; and the Merriweather Executive Meeting Room that is ideal for events and social gatherings. In addition, a brand new private dining room is available for meetings and special occasions.

The renovated meeting spaces, combined with a superb location at Town Center, provides clients and groups technologically-enhanced facilities while meeting the attendees’ recreational and entertainment needs. Over 200 Town Center shops at The Mall in Columbia, ten specialty restaurants, and the Merriweather Post Pavilion are within walking distance, in addition to an adjacent 3.5 mile lakefront jogging trail.

The property’s renaissance also includes a brand new fitness center with ergonomic flooring, new equipment with private flat-screen televisions on each cardio machine, superior ventilation, and vibrant colors. Guests can mix, mingle and meet in the Lobby Lounge, serving light fare among panoramic lake views.  The signature lakeside Waterside Restaurant features a private dining room and exceptional cuisine for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a popular Sunday brunch.

Fresh Start

The Sheraton Columbia Town Center Hotel in Columbia, Md., just completed a comprehensive $12 million dollar
renovation, with all 290-guestrooms and public spaces entirely transformed.

As with all Starwood properties, the hotel is required to be 100 percent smoke-free, but it’s a choice management happily
went along with.

’We are a conference hotel and the attendees appreciate the clean air they can breathe now that we are smoke free,’ says
Sharon Baker, the hotel’s Director of Sales & Marketing. ’Our group guests love the fact that we are smoke free. The trend
today is not to smoke, so FreshStay is a perfect match for our hotel and guests.’

Located in a resort-like setting among 12 wooded acres, the hotel is a popular destination for corporate meetings, social
events, weddings, and for business and leisure travelers visiting the Baltimore-Washington area. The Sheraton’s function
rooms have been completely refurbished. Total meeting space has expanded from 12,000 to 14,000 square feet now
accommodating up to 500.

Two new meeting rooms have been created: the Patuxent Boardroom, an airy space with comfortable, ergonomic chairs and
large windows facing the lake, and the Merriweather Executive Meeting Room, which is ideal for events and social
gatherings. In addition, a new private dining room is available for meetings and special occasions.

The renovated meeting spaces, combined with a superb location at Town Center, provides clients and groups
technologically-enhanced facilities while meeting the attendees’ recreational and entertainment needs.

’With a smoke free environment and a newly renovated hotel, the advantage is tremendous,’ Baker says. ’We do not have to
get smoke out of existing bedding, linens, drapes and furnishings. We really have a Fresh Start and can give each of our
guests a Fresh Stay.’

Environmentally conscious upgrades to lighting, heating and cooling systems were also part of the property improvements,
increasing energy efficiency throughout the hotel.

’Working with FreshStay is a great way to get the word out that we were 100% smoke free,’ Baker adds.

About the Sheraton Columbia Town Center Hotel

The Sheraton Columbia Town Center Hotel provides a new level of luxury with an exceptional commitment to service, superb meeting and event space, and upgraded amenities for guests to stay connected, relax and rejuvenate whether traveling for business or pleasure. The hotel features 14,000 square feet of meeting space accommodating up to 500, Club Level floors, Waterside Restaurant, Lobby Lounge, fitness center, outdoor pool, complimentary garage parking, and the Link@SheratonSM. All 290 guest rooms and suites are appointed with the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper™ Bed, high-speed Internet access, in-room Starbucks® coffee and tea, and 32” flat-screen LCD televisions. The hotel, located lakeside among twelve wooded acres, is within walking distance to shops and specialty restaurants, Merriweather Post Pavilion, and a 3.5 mile lakeside jogging trail. Centrally located in Columbia, Maryland midway between Baltimore and Washington, DC, the hotel is just minutes to Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. For more information about the hotel, visit: www.sheratoncolumbia.com. The Sheraton Columbia Town Center Hotel is wholly-owned and operated by Interstate Hotels & Resorts, a leading hotel real estate investor and the nation’s largest independent hotel management company. For more information, visit: www.ihrco.com.