Over the past several years, Starwood has been focused on becoming the leading global hospitality company that delivers experiences that are different, better and special to our customers, guests and each other. Without question, our people are the foundation to our success. We know that more engaged associates translate to more satisfied customers--both inside and outside our company. I want to congratulate both you and your property on achieving the StarVoice Best in Class designation for 2008. Your property's StarVoice engagement score was in the top 25% of all property engagement scores this year. Your dedication to Starwood and its people is creating the high performing, exciting culture we want as a standard for our organization. This is an outstanding accomplishment. We appreciate your leadership and commitment to building associate engagement at Starwood. Your efforts truly make a difference.

Fritz van Paasschen
President & Chief Executive Officer

It  has been  a  long  time  since  I  have  had  a  reason to congratulate anyone's performance in the hotel or real estate business.  As far as I know, you have always beat the industry average income before fixed charges as a percentage of revenue.  Now, ...you have generated another healthy increase in revenue while decreasing total costs and expenses.  I don't know of a better way to judge a good hotel operator but if I just watch DePalma Hotel Corporation, maybe I'll see it.

John E. Cline
Vice President

Joe DePalma and the rest of his staff have worked for us...on a foreclosed property in Lake Jackson, Texas.  During that period they have turned over the staff, completed a significant renovation of the guest rooms and lobby, and, most importantly, restored the confidence and satisfaction of the local community which had been severely eroded in the period prior to the foreclosure.  They have also met all of the reporting needs of CIGNA as an institutional owner in a timely fashion.

Patrick H. Thompson
Senior Asset Manager

My reasons for the change are numerous however in summary the bottom line performance has been superior to the previous company's results.  The DePalma management team continues to be very responsive and innovative with their marketing.  The DePalma staff is a "hands on/make it happen quick" organization.  Their own computerized staffing guide is the best in the industry.  With labor being the largest single cost of a hotel, their system provides great control while assuring adequate staffing to maintain guest satisfaction.

Sjukur Fusjiadi
Founder & Chairman of the Jakarta

I want to thank and compliment you and your company for the excellent manner the hotel was managed beginning on the day MidFirst Bank obtained ownership of the property at the foreclosure sale through the subsequent sale of the hotel to a third party.  I was impressed with your preparedness in taking over the hotel in the middle of the afternoon and what appeared to me to be a very smooth transition over the next few days.  Your prior experience in taking over financially and operationally distressed hotels was obvious.  Best wishes to you, your family and your company in the future.

Glen Shipley
First Vice President

I want you to know how much I appreciate your work on this deal.  I looked at what you have been able to accomplish at the hotel in 7 months and we are almost at a 1. debt service coverage.  .99 DSCR is a big turnaround from under .3 with the borrower over the past several years.  Your marketing and aggressive efforts to increase occupancy are appreciated and were communicated to Sr. Mgmt in my monthly status meeting today.

Monique L. Holland
Vice President