10-K 1 p18280e10vk.htm FORM 10-K e10vk
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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
 
 
Form 10-K
 
     
 
þ
  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2010
OR
o
  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the Transition Period from          to          
 
Commission File Number: 1-7959
STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Maryland
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
 
52-1193298
(I.R.S. employer identification no.)
 
1111 Westchester Avenue
White Plains, NY 10604
(Address of principal executive
offices, including zip code)
 
(914) 640-8100
(Registrant’s telephone number,
including area code)
 
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
     
Title of Each Class   Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
 
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
  New York Stock Exchange
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes þ     No o
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes o     No þ
 
Note:  Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act from their obligations under those Sections.
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes þ     No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period than the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes þ     No o
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  þ
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
             
Large accelerated filer þ
  Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o     No þ
 
As of June 30, 2010, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates (for purposes of this Annual Report only, includes all Shares other than those held by the registrant’s Directors and executive officers) computed by reference to the closing sales price as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange was $7,823,279,076.
 
As of February 11, 2011, the Corporation had outstanding 192,165,807 shares of common stock.
 
For information concerning ownership of Shares, see the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 5, 2011, which is incorporated by reference under various Items of this Annual Report.
 
Document Incorporated by Reference:
 
         
Document   Where Incorporated  
 
Proxy Statement
    Part III (Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 )
 


 

 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
                 
        Page
 
        Forward-Looking Statements     1  
      Business     1  
      Risk Factors     5  
      Unresolved Staff Comments     14  
      Properties     14  
      Legal Proceedings     20  
 
PART II
      Market for Registrants’ Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities     21  
      Selected Financial Data     23  
      Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     23  
      Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk     38  
      Financial Statements and Supplementary Data     40  
      Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure     40  
      Controls and Procedures     40  
      Other Information     42  
 
PART III
      Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance     42  
      Executive Compensation.     42  
      Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters     42  
      Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence     42  
      Principal Accountant Fees and Services     42  
 
PART IV
      Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules     42  
 EX-12.1
 EX-21.1
 EX-23.1
 EX-31.1
 EX-31.2
 EX-32.1
 EX-32.2


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This Annual Report is filed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Corporation”). Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the Corporation include those entities owned or controlled by the Corporation, including SLC Operating Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Operating Partnership”), which prior to April 10, 2006 included Starwood Hotels & Resorts, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the “Trust”), which was sold in the Host Transaction (defined below); all references to the Trust include the Trust and those entities owned or controlled by the Trust, including SLT Realty Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Realty Partnership”); and all references to “we”, “us”, “our”, “Starwood”, or the “Company” refer to the Corporation, the Trust and its respective subsidiaries, collectively through April 7, 2006. Until April 7, 2006, the shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation (“Corporation Shares”) and the Class B shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share, of the Trust (“Class B Shares”) were attached and traded together and were held or transferred only in units consisting of one Corporation Share and one Class B Share (a “Share”). On April 7, 2006, in connection with a transaction (the “Host Transaction”) with Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc., its subsidiary Host Marriot L.P. and certain other subsidiaries of Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (collectively, “Host”), the Shares were depaired and the Corporation Shares became transferable separately from the Class B Shares. As a result of the depairing, the Corporation Shares trade alone under the symbol “HOT” on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). As of April 10, 2006, neither Shares nor Class B Shares are listed or traded on the NYSE.
 
PART I
 
Forward-Looking Statements
 
This Annual Report contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements appear in several places in this Annual Report, including, without limitation, the section of Item 1. Business, captioned “Business Strategy” and Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. Such forward-looking statements may include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of Starwood, its Directors or its officers with respect to the matters discussed in this Annual Report. All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements including, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties set forth below. Starwood undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect current or future events or circumstances.
 
Item 1.   Business
 
General
 
We are one of the world’s largest hotel and leisure companies. We conduct our hotel and leisure business both directly and through our subsidiaries. Our brand names include the following:
 
St. Regis®   (luxury full-service hotels, resorts and residences) are for connoisseurs who desire the finest expressions of luxury. They provide flawless and bespoke service to high-end leisure and business travelers. St. Regis hotels are located in the ultimate locations within the world’s most desired destinations, important emerging markets and yet to be discovered paradises, and they typically have individual design characteristics to capture the distinctive personality of each location.
 
The Luxury Collection®   (luxury full-service hotels and resorts) is a group of unique hotels and resorts offering exceptional service to an elite clientele. From legendary palaces and remote retreats to timeless modern classics, these remarkable hotels and resorts enable the most discerning traveler to collect a world of unique, authentic and enriching experiences indigenous to each destination that capture the sense of both luxury and place. They are distinguished by magnificent decor, spectacular settings and impeccable service.
 
W®   (luxury and upscale full service hotels, retreats and residences) feature world class design, world class restaurants and “on trend” bars and lounges and its signature Whatever\Whenever® service standard. It’s a sensory multiplex that not only indulges the senses, it delivers an emotional experience. Whether it’s “behind the scenes”


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access at W Happenings, or our cutting edge music, lighting and scent programs, W hotels delivers an experience unmatched in the hotel segment.
 
Westin®   (luxury and upscale full-service hotels, resorts and residences) provides a thoughtfully designed experience making the healthiest choices irresistibly appealing. A welcoming oasis to the savvy traveler, every innovative service aims to help guests thrive so they feel better than when they arrived. Truly restorative sleep in the world-renowned Heavenly® Bed. Spa-like invigoration with the Heavenly® Bath. Healthful indulgence from SuperFoodsRxtm menus. Energizing exercise with WestinWORKOUT®. Fresh air from BreatheWestinsm, the industry’s first smoke-free policy. Whether an epic city center location or refreshing resort destination, Westin ensures guests are well rested, well nourished and well cared for.
 
Le Méridien®   (luxury and upscale full-service hotels, resorts and residences) is a European-inspired brand with a French accent. Each of its hotels, whether city, airport or resort has a distinctive character driven by its individuality and the Le Méridien brand values. With its underlying passion for food, art and style and its classic yet stylish design, Le Méridien offers a unique experience at some of the world’s top travel destinations.
 
Sheraton®   (luxury and upscale full-service hotels, resorts and residences) is our largest brand serving the needs of upscale business and leisure travelers worldwide. For over 70 years this full-service, iconic brand has welcomed guests, becoming a trusted friend to travelers and one of the world’s most recognized hotel brands. From being the first hotel brand to step into major international markets like China, to completely captivating entire destinations like Waikiki, Sheraton understands that travel is about bringing people together. In Sheraton lobbies you’ll find the Link@Sheratonsm experienced with Microsoft, which fosters connections, whether face-to-face or webcam-to-webcam. The Sheraton Club is also a social space where guests indulge in the upside of everything with likeminded travelers. Sheraton transcends lifestyles, generations and geographies and will continue to welcome generation after generation of world traveler, because we believe, as strongly as ever, that life is better when shared.
 
Four Points®   (select-service hotels) delights the self-sufficient traveler with what is needed for greater comfort and productivity. Great Hotels. Great Rates. All at the honest value our guests deserve. Our guests start their day feeling energized and finish up relaxed, maybe even with one of our Best Brews (local craft beer). It’s the little indulgences that make their time away from home special.
 
Aloft®   (select-service hotels) first opened in 2008. It will already be opening its 50th property in 2011. Aloft provides new heights: an oasis where you least expect it, a spirited neighborhood outpost, a haven at the side of the road. Bringing a cozy harmony of modern elements to the classic on-the-road tradition, Aloft offers a sassy, refreshing, ultra effortless alternative for both the business and leisure traveler. Fresh, fun, and fulfilling, Aloft is an experience to be discovered and rediscovered, destination after destination, as you ease on down the road. Style at a Steal.
 
Element(SM)   (extended stay hotels), a brand introduced in 2006 with the first hotel opened in 2008, provides a modern, upscale and intuitively designed hotel experience that allows guests to live well and feel in control. Inspired by Westin, Element hotels promote balance through a thoughtful, upscale environment. Decidedly modern with an emphasis on nature, Element is intuitively constructed with an efficient use of space that encourages guests to stay connected, feel alive, and thrive while they are away. Primarily all Element hotels are LEED certified, depicting the importance of the environment in today’s world. Space to live your life.
 
Through our brands, we are well represented in most major markets around the world. Our operations are reported in two business segments, hotels and vacation ownership and residential operations.
 
Our revenue and earnings are derived primarily from hotel operations, which include management and other fees earned from hotels we manage pursuant to management contracts, the receipt of franchise and other fees and the operation of our owned hotels.
 
Our hotel business emphasizes the global operation of hotels and resorts primarily in the luxury and upscale segment of the lodging industry. We seek to acquire interests in, or management or franchise rights with respect to properties in this segment. At December 31, 2010, our hotel portfolio included owned, leased, managed and franchised hotels totaling 1,027 hotels with approximately 302,000 rooms in approximately 100 countries, and is comprised of 62 hotels that we own or lease or in which we have a majority equity interest, 463 hotels managed by


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us on behalf of third-party owners (including entities in which we have a minority equity interest) and 502 hotels for which we receive franchise fees.
 
Our revenues and earnings are also derived from the development, ownership and operation of vacation ownership resorts, marketing and selling vacation ownership interests (“VOIs”) in the resorts and providing financing to customers who purchase such interests. Generally these resorts are marketed under the brand names described above. Additionally, our revenue and earnings are derived from the development, marketing and selling of residential units at mixed use hotel projects owned by us as well as fees earned from the marketing and selling of residential units at mixed use hotel projects developed by third-party owners of hotels operated under our brands. At December 31, 2010, we had 23 owned vacation ownership resorts and residential properties (including 14 stand-alone, eight mixed-use and one unconsolidated joint venture) in the United States, Mexico and the Bahamas.
 
Due to the global economic crisis and its impact on the long-term growth outlook for the timeshare industry, in 2009 we evaluated all of our existing vacation ownership projects, as well as land held for future vacation ownership projects. We have thereby decided that no new vacation ownership projects are being initiated and we have decided not to develop certain vacation ownership sites and future phases of certain existing projects.
 
Our operations are in geographically diverse locations around the world. The following tables reflect our hotel and vacation ownership and residential properties by type of revenue source and geographical presence by major geographic area as of December 31, 2010:
 
                 
    Number of
       
    Properties     Rooms  
 
Managed and unconsolidated joint venture hotels
    463       159,200  
Franchised hotels
    502       121,400  
Owned hotels(a)
    62       21,100  
Vacation ownership resorts and stand-alone properties
    14       7,000  
                 
Total properties
    1,041       308,700  
                 
 
 
(a) Includes wholly owned, majority owned and leased hotels.
 
                 
    Number of
       
    Properties     Rooms  
 
North America (and Caribbean)
    551       175,800  
Europe, Africa and the Middle East
    247       61,300  
Asia Pacific
    181       58,500  
Latin America
    62       13,100  
                 
Total properties
    1,041       308,700  
                 
 
We have implemented a strategy of reducing our investment in owned real estate and increasing our focus on the management and franchise business. In furtherance of this strategy, since 2006, we have sold 62 hotels for approximately $5.3 billion. As a result, our primary business objective is to maximize earnings and cash flow by increasing the number of our hotel management contracts and franchise agreements; selling VOIs; and investing in real estate assets where there is a strategic rationale for doing so, which may include selectively acquiring interests in additional assets and disposing of non-core hotels (including hotels where the return on invested capital is not adequate) and “trophy” assets that may be sold at significant premiums. We plan to meet these objectives by leveraging our global assets, broad customer base and other resources and by taking advantage of our scale to reduce costs. The implementation of our strategy and financial planning is impacted by the uncertainty relating to geopolitical and economic environments around the world and its consequent impact on travel.
 
The Corporation was incorporated in 1980 under the laws of Maryland. Sheraton Hotels & Resorts and Westin Hotels & Resorts, Starwood’s largest brands, have been serving guests for more than 60 years. Starwood Vacation Ownership (and its predecessor, Vistana, Inc.) has been selling VOIs for more than 20 years.


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Our principal executive offices are located at 1111 Westchester Avenue, White Plains, New York 10604, and our telephone number is (914) 640-8100.
 
For discussion of our revenues, profits, assets and geographical segments, see the notes to financial statements of this Annual Report. For additional information concerning our business, see Item 2 Properties, of this Annual Report.
 
Competition
 
The hotel and timeshare industry is highly competitive. Competition is generally based on quality and consistency of room, restaurant and meeting facilities and services, attractiveness of locations, availability of a global distribution system, price, the ability to earn and redeem loyalty program points and other factors. Management believes that we compete favorably in these areas. Our properties compete with other hotels and resorts in their geographic markets, including facilities owned by local interests and facilities owned by national and international chains. Our principal competitors include other hotel operating companies, national and international hotel brands, and ownership companies (including hotel REITs).
 
We encounter strong competition as a hotel, residential, resort and vacation ownership operator. While some of our competitors are private management firms, several are large national and international chains that own and operate their own hotels, as well as manage hotels for third-party owners and sell VOIs, under a variety of brands that compete directly with our brands.
 
Environmental Matters
 
We are subject to certain requirements and potential liabilities under various foreign and U.S. federal, state and local environmental laws, ordinances and regulations (“Environmental Laws”). Under such laws, we could be held liable for the costs of removing or cleaning up hazardous or toxic substances at, on, under, or in our currently or formerly owned or operated properties. Such laws often impose liability without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such hazardous or toxic substances. The presence of hazardous or toxic substances may adversely affect the owner’s ability to sell or rent such real property or to borrow using such real property as collateral. Persons who arrange for the disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic wastes may be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of such wastes at the treatment, storage or disposal facility, regardless of whether such facility is owned or operated by such person. We use certain substances and generate certain wastes that may be deemed hazardous or toxic under applicable Environmental Laws, and we from time to time have incurred, and in the future may incur, costs related to cleaning up contamination resulting from historic uses of certain of our current or former properties or our treatment, storage or disposal of wastes at facilities owned by others. Other Environmental Laws govern occupational exposure to asbestos-containing materials (“ACMs”) and require abatement or removal of certain ACMs (limited quantities of which are present in various building materials such as spray-on insulation, floor coverings, ceiling coverings, tiles, decorative treatments and piping located at certain of our hotels) in the event of damage or demolition, or certain renovations or remodeling. Environmental Laws also regulate polychlorinated biphenyls (“PCBs”), which may be present in electrical equipment. A number of our hotels have underground storage tanks (“USTs”) and equipment containing chlorofluorocarbons (“CFCs”); the operation and subsequent removal or upgrading of certain USTs and the use of equipment containing CFCs also are regulated by Environmental Laws. In connection with our ownership, operation and management of our properties, we could be held liable for costs of remedial or other action with respect to PCBs, USTs or CFCs.
 
Congress and some states are considering or have undertaken actions to regulate and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. New or revised laws and regulations or new interpretations of existing laws and regulations, such as those related to climate change, could affect the operation of our hotels and/or result in significant additional expense and operating restrictions on us. The cost impact of such legislation, regulation, or new interpretations would depend upon the specific requirements enacted and cannot be determined at this time.
 
Environmental Laws are not the only source of environmental liability. Under common law, owners and operators of real property may face liability for personal injury or property damage because of various


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environmental conditions such as alleged exposure to hazardous or toxic substances (including, but not limited to, ACMs, PCBs and CFCs), poor indoor air quality, radon or poor drinking water quality.
 
Although we have incurred and expect to incur remediation and various environmental-related costs during the ordinary course of operations, management does not anticipate that such costs will have a material adverse effect on our operations or financial condition.
 
Seasonality and Diversification
 
The hotel industry is seasonal in nature; however, the periods during which our properties experience higher revenue activities vary from property to property and depend principally upon location. Generally, our revenues and operating income have been lower in the first quarter than in the second, third or fourth quarters.
 
Comparability of Owned Hotel Results
 
We continually update and renovate our owned, leased and consolidated joint venture hotels. While undergoing renovation, these hotels are generally not operating at full capacity and, as such, these renovations can negatively impact our owned hotel revenues and operating income. Other events, such as the occurrence of natural disasters may cause a full or partial closure or sale of a hotel, and such events can negatively impact our revenues and operating income. Finally, as we pursue our strategy of reducing our investment in owned real estate assets, the sale of such assets can significantly reduce our revenues and operating income.
 
Employees
 
At December 31, 2010, approximately 145,000 people were employed at our corporate offices, owned and managed hotels and vacation ownership resorts, of which approximately 26% were employed in the United States. At December 31, 2010, approximately 34% of the U.S.-based employees were covered by various collective bargaining agreements providing, generally, for basic pay rates, working hours, other conditions of employment and orderly settlement of labor disputes. Generally, labor relations have been maintained in a normal and satisfactory manner, and management believes that our employee relations are satisfactory.
 
Where You Can Find More Information
 
We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities & Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Our SEC filings are also available on our website at http://www.starwoodhotels.com/ corporate/investor relations.html as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with or furnished to the SEC. You may also read and copy any document we file with the SEC at its public reference room located at 100 F Street, NE, in Washington, D.C. 20549 on official business days during the hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please call the SEC at (800) SEC-0330 for further information. Our filings with the SEC are also available at the New York Stock Exchange. For more information on obtaining copies of our public filings at the New York Stock Exchange, you should call (212) 656-5060. You may also obtain a copy of our filings free of charge by calling Investor Relations at (914) 640-8165.
 
Item 1A.   Risk Factors.
 
Risks Relating to Hotel, Resort, Vacation Ownership and Residential Operations
 
We Are Subject to All the Operating Risks Common to the Hotel and Vacation Ownership and Residential Industries.  Operating risks common to the hotel and vacation ownership and residential industries include:
 
  •  changes in general economic conditions, including the severity and duration of downturns in the US and global economies;
 
  •  impact of war and terrorist activity (including threatened terrorist activity) and heightened travel security measures instituted in response thereto;
 
  •  domestic and international political and geopolitical conditions;


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  •  travelers’ fears of exposures to contagious diseases;
 
  •  decreases in the demand for transient rooms and related lodging services, including a reduction in business travel as a result of general economic conditions;
 
  •  decreases in demand or increases in supply for vacation ownership interests;
 
  •  the impact of internet intermediaries on pricing and our increasing reliance on technology;
 
  •  cyclical over-building in the hotel and vacation ownership industries;
 
  •  restrictive changes in zoning and similar land use laws and regulations or in health, safety and environmental laws, rules and regulations and other governmental and regulatory action;
 
  •  changes in travel patterns;
 
  •  changes in operating costs including, but not limited to, energy, labor costs (including the impact of unionization), food costs, workers’ compensation and health-care related costs, insurance and unanticipated costs such as acts of nature and their consequences;
 
  •  the costs and administrative burdens associated with compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including, among others, franchising, timeshare, privacy, licensing, labor and employment, and regulations under the Office of Foreign Assets Control and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act;
 
  •  disputes with owners of properties, including condominium hotels, franchisees and homeowner associations which may result in litigation;
 
  •  the availability and cost of capital to allow us and potential hotel owners and franchisees to fund construction, renovations and investments;
 
  •  foreign exchange fluctuations;
 
  •  the financial condition of third-party owners, project developers and franchisees, which may impact our ability to recover indemnity payments that may be owed to us and their ability to fund amounts required under development, management and franchise agreements and in most cases our recourse is limited to the equity value said party has in the property;
 
  •  the financial condition of the airline industry and the impact on air travel; and
 
  •  regulation or taxation of carbon dioxide emissions by airlines and other forms of transportation.
 
We are also impacted by our relationships with owners and franchisees. Our hotel management contracts are typically long-term arrangements, but most allow the hotel owner to replace us in certain circumstances, such as the bankruptcy of the hotel owner or franchisee, the failure to meet certain financial or performance criteria and in certain cases, upon a sale of the property. Our ability to meet these financial and performance criteria is subject to, among other things, the risks described in this section. Additionally, our operating results would be adversely affected if we could not maintain existing management, franchise or representation agreements or obtain new agreements on as favorable terms as the existing agreements.
 
We utilize our brands in connection with the residential portions of certain properties that we develop and license our brands to third parties to use in a similar manner for a fee. Residential properties using our brands could become less attractive due to changes in mortgage rates and the availability of mortgage financing generally, market absorption or oversupply in a particular market. As a result, we and our third party licensees may not be able to sell these residences for a profit or at the prices that we or they have anticipated.
 
The Recent Recession in the Lodging Industry and the Global Economy Generally Will Continue to Impact Our Financial Results and Growth.  The recent economic recession has had a negative impact on the hotel and vacation ownership and residential industries. Substantial increases in air and ground travel costs and decreases in airline capacity have reduced demand for our hotel rooms and interval and fractional timeshare products. Accordingly, our financial results have been impacted by the economic recession and both our future financial results and growth could be further harmed if recovery from the economic recession slows or the economic


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recession becomes worse. In certain cases, we have entered into third party hotel management contracts which contain performance guarantees specifying that certain operating metrics will be achieved. As a result of the impact of the economic downturn on the lodging industry, we may not meet the requisite performance levels, and we may be forced to loan or contribute monies to fund the shortfall of performance levels or terminate the management contract. For a more detailed description of our performance guarantees, see Note 26 of the consolidated financial statements.
 
Moreover, many businesses, particularly financial institutions, face restrictions on the ability to travel and hold conferences or events at resorts and luxury hotels. The negative publicity associated with such companies holding large events has also resulted in reduced bookings. New or revised regulations on businesses participating in government financial assistance programs, as well as the negative publicity associated with conferences and corporate events, could impact our financial results.
 
Our Revenues, Profits, or Market Share Could Be Harmed If We Are Unable to Compete Effectively.  The hotel, vacation ownership and residential industries are highly competitive. Our properties compete for customers with other hotel and resort properties, and, with respect to our vacation ownership resorts and residential projects, with owners reselling their VOIs, including fractional ownership, or apartments. Some of our competitors may have substantially greater marketing and financial resources than we do, and they may improve their facilities, reduce their prices or expand or improve their marketing programs in ways that adversely affect our operating results.
 
Moreover, our present growth strategy for development of additional lodging facilities entails entering into and maintaining various arrangements with property owners. We compete with other hotel companies for management and franchise agreements. The terms of our management agreements, franchise agreements, and leases for each of our lodging facilities are influenced by contract terms offered by our competitors, among other things. We cannot assure you that any of our current arrangements will continue or that we will be able to enter into future collaborations, renew agreements, or enter into new agreements in the future on terms that are as favorable to us as those that exist today. In connection with entering into management or franchise agreements, we may be required to make investments in or guarantee the obligations of third parties or guarantee minimum income to third parties.
 
Our Businesses Are Capital Intensive.  For our owned, managed and franchised properties to remain attractive and competitive, the property owners and we have to spend money periodically to keep the properties well maintained, modernized and refurbished. This creates an ongoing need for cash. Third-party property owners may be unable to access capital or unwilling to spend available capital when necessary, even if required by the terms of our management or franchise agreements. To the extent that property owners and we cannot fund expenditures from cash generated by operations, funds must be borrowed or otherwise obtained. Failure to make the investments necessary to maintain or improve such properties could adversely affect the reputation of our brands.
 
Recent events, including the failures and near failures of financial services companies and the decrease in liquidity and available capital, have negatively impacted the capital markets for hotel and real estate investments.
 
Any Failure to Protect our Trademarks Could Have a Negative Impact on the Value of Our Brand Names and Adversely Affect Our Business.  We believe our trademarks are an important component of our business. We rely on trademark laws to protect our proprietary rights. The success of our business depends in part upon our continued ability to use our trademarks to increase brand awareness and further develop our brand in both domestic and international markets. Monitoring the unauthorized use of our intellectual property is difficult. Litigation has been and may continue to be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others. Litigation of this type could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources, may result in counterclaims or other claims against us and could significantly harm our results of operations. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect our proprietary rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States. From time to time, we apply to have certain trademarks registered. There is no guarantee that such trademark registrations will be granted. We cannot assure you that all of the steps we have taken to protect our trademarks in the United States and foreign countries will be adequate to prevent imitation of our trademarks by others. The unauthorized reproduction of our trademarks could diminish the value of our brand and its market acceptance, competitive advantages or goodwill, which could adversely affect our business.


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Our Dependence on Hotel and Resort Development Exposes Us to Timing, Budgeting and Other Risks.  We intend to develop hotel and resort properties and residential components of hotel properties, as suitable opportunities arise, taking into consideration the general economic climate. In addition, the owners and developers of new-build properties that we have entered into management or franchise agreements with are subject to these same risks which may impact the amount and timing of fees we had expected to collect from those properties. New project development has a number of risks, including risks associated with:
 
  •  construction delays or cost overruns that may increase project costs;
 
  •  receipt of zoning, occupancy and other required governmental permits and authorizations;
 
  •  development costs incurred for projects that are not pursued to completion;
 
  •  so-called acts of God such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods or fires that could adversely impact a project;
 
  •  defects in design or construction that may result in additional costs to remedy or require all or a portion of a property to be closed during the period required to rectify the situation;
 
  •  ability to raise capital; and
 
  •  governmental restrictions on the nature or size of a project or timing of completion.
 
We cannot assure you that any development project, including sites held for development of vacation ownership resorts, will in fact be developed, and, if developed, the time period or the budget of such development may be greater than initially contemplated and the actual number of units or rooms constructed may be less than initially contemplated.
 
International Operations Are Subject to Unique Political and Monetary Risks.  We have significant international operations which as of December 31, 2010 included 247 owned, managed or franchised properties in Europe, Africa and the Middle East (including 16 properties with majority ownership); 62 owned, managed or franchised properties in Latin America (including nine properties with majority ownership); and 181 owned, managed or franchised properties in the Asia Pacific region (including four properties with majority ownership). International operations generally are subject to various political, geopolitical, and other risks that are not present in U.S. operations. These risks include the risk of war, terrorism, civil unrest, expropriation and nationalization as well as the impact in cases in which there are inconsistencies between U.S. law and the laws of an international jurisdiction. In addition, some international jurisdictions restrict the repatriation of non-U.S. earnings. Various other international jurisdictions have laws limiting the ability of non-U.S. entities to pay dividends and remit earnings to affiliated companies unless specified conditions have been met. In addition, sales in international jurisdictions typically are made in local currencies, which subject us to risks associated with currency fluctuations. Currency devaluations and unfavorable changes in international monetary and tax policies could have a material adverse effect on our profitability and financing plans, as could other changes in the international regulatory climate and international economic conditions.
 
Our Current Growth Strategy is Heavily Dependent on Growth in International Markets.  As of December 31, 2010, 84% of our pipeline represented international growth. Further 60% of our pipeline represents new properties in Asia Pacific with 45% of our pipeline representing new growth in China alone. We must rely on third parties to build and complete these projects as planned and cannot ensure that all such hotels will be timely constructed. If our third-party property owners fail to invest in these projects, or fail to invest at estimated levels, the projects may not be realized or may not be as successful as anticipated. Many countries in the Asia Pacific region, including China, have construction and operational logistics different than the U.S., including but not limited to labor, transportation, real estate, and local reporting or legal requirements. Our dependence on international markets for growth is also limited by the availability of new markets, and we face established competitors that are similarly looking to grow in new markets. If our international expansion plans are unsuccessful, our financial results could be materially adversely affected.
 
Third Party Internet Reservation Channels May Negatively Impact Our Bookings.  Some of our hotel rooms are booked through third party internet travel intermediaries such as Travelocity.com®, Expedia.com®, Orbitz.com® and Priceline.com®. As the percentage of internet bookings increases, these intermediaries may be able to obtain higher commissions, reduced room rates or other significant contract concessions from us. Moreover, some of these internet travel intermediaries are attempting to commoditize hotel rooms by increasing the


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importance of price and general indicators of quality (such as “three-star downtown hotel”) at the expense of brand identification. These agencies hope that consumers will eventually develop brand loyalties to their reservations system rather than to our lodging brands. Although we expect to derive most of our business from traditional channels and our websites, if the amount of sales made through internet intermediaries increases significantly, our business and profitability may be significantly harmed.
 
A Failure to Keep Pace with Developments in Technology Could Impair Our Operations or Competitive Position.  The hospitality industry continues to demand the use of sophisticated technology and systems including technology utilized for property management, brand assurance and compliance, procurement, reservation systems, operation of our customer loyalty program, distribution and guest amenities. These technologies can be expected to require refinements, including to comply with the legal requirements such as privacy regulations and requirements established by third parties such as the payment card industry, and there is the risk that advanced new technologies will be introduced. Further, the development and maintenance of these technologies may require significant capital. There can be no assurance that as various systems and technologies become outdated or new technology is required, we will be able to replace or introduce them as quickly as our competition or within budgeted costs and timeframes. Further, there can be no assurance that we will achieve the benefits that may have been anticipated from any new technology or system.
 
Significant Owners of Our Properties May Concentrate Risks.  There is a concentration of ownership of hotels operated under our brands by any single owner. Following the acquisition of the Le Méridien brand business and a large disposition transaction to one ownership group in 2006, single ownership groups own significant numbers of hotels operated by us. While the risks associated with such ownership are no different than exist generally (i.e., the financial position of the owner, the overall state of the relationship with the owner and their participation in optional programs and the impact on cost efficiencies if they choose not to participate), they are more concentrated.
 
Our Real Estate Investments Subject Us to Numerous Risks.  We are subject to the risks that generally relate to investments in real property because we own and lease hotels and resorts. The investment returns available from equity investments in real estate depend in large part on the amount of income earned and capital appreciation generated by the related properties, and the expenses incurred. In addition, a variety of other factors affect income from properties and real estate values, including governmental regulations, insurance, zoning, tax and eminent domain laws, interest rate levels and the availability of financing. For example, new or existing real estate zoning or tax laws can make it more expensive and/or time-consuming to develop real property or expand, modify or renovate hotels. When interest rates increase, the cost of acquiring, developing, expanding or renovating real property increases and real property values may decrease as the number of potential buyers decreases. Similarly, as financing becomes less available, it becomes more difficult both to acquire and to sell real property. Finally, under eminent domain laws, governments can take real property. Sometimes this taking is for less compensation than the owner believes the property is worth. Any of these factors could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations or financial condition. In addition, equity real estate investments are difficult to sell quickly and we may not be able to adjust our portfolio of owned properties quickly in response to economic or other conditions. If our properties do not generate revenue sufficient to meet operating expenses, including debt service and capital expenditures, our income will be adversely affected.
 
We May Be Subject to Environmental Liabilities.  Our properties and operations are subject to a number of Environmental Laws. Under such laws, we could be held liable for the costs of removing or cleaning up hazardous or toxic substances at, on, under, or in our currently or formerly owned or operated properties. Such laws often impose liability without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such hazardous or toxic substances. The presence of hazardous or toxic substances may adversely affect the owner’s ability to sell or rent such real property or to borrow using such real property as collateral. Persons who arrange for the disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic wastes may be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of such wastes at the treatment, storage or disposal facility, regardless of whether such facility is owned or operated by such person. We use certain substances and generate certain wastes that may be deemed hazardous or toxic under applicable Environmental Laws, and we from time to time have incurred, and in the future may incur, costs related to cleaning up contamination resulting from historic uses at certain of our current or former properties or our treatment, storage or disposal of wastes at facilities owned by others. Other Environmental Laws govern


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occupational exposure to ACMs and require abatement or removal of certain ACMs (limited quantities of which are present in various building materials such as spray-on insulation, floor coverings, ceiling coverings, tiles, decorative treatments and piping located at certain of our hotels) in the event of damage or demolition, or certain renovations or remodeling. Environmental Laws also regulate PCBs, which may be present in electrical equipment. A number of our hotels have USTs and equipment containing CFCs; the operation and subsequent removal or upgrading of certain USTs and the use of equipment containing CFCs also are regulated by Environmental Laws. In connection with our ownership, operation and management of our properties, we could be held liable for costs of remedial or other action with respect to PCBs, USTs or CFCs.
 
Congress and some states are considering or have undertaken actions to regulate and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. New or revised laws and regulations or new interpretations of existing laws and regulations, such as those related to climate change, could affect the operation of our hotels and/or result in significant additional expense and operating restrictions on us. The cost impact of such legislation, regulation, or new interpretations would depend upon the specific requirements enacted and cannot be determined at this time.
 
Risks Relating to Operations in Syria
 
During fiscal 2010, Starwood subsidiaries generated approximately $2 million of revenue from management and other fees from hotels located in Syria, a country that the United States has identified as a state sponsor of terrorism. This amount constitutes significantly less than 1% of our worldwide annual revenues. The United States does not prohibit U.S. investments in, or the exportation of services to, Syria, and our activities in that country are in full compliance with U.S. and local law. However, the United States has imposed limited sanctions as a result of Syria’s support for terrorist groups and its interference with Lebanon’s sovereignty, including a prohibition on the exportation of U.S.-origin goods to Syria and the operation of government-owned Syrian air carriers in the United States except in limited circumstances. The United States may impose further sanctions against Syria at any time for foreign policy reasons. If so, our activities in Syria may be adversely affected, depending on the nature of any further sanctions that might be imposed. In addition, our activities in Syria may reduce demand for our stock among certain investors.
 
Risks Relating to Debt Financing
 
Our Debt Service Obligations May Adversely Affect our Cash Flow.  As a result of our debt obligations, we are subject to: (i) the risk that cash flow from operations will be insufficient to meet required payments of principal and interest, (ii) restrictive covenants, including covenants relating to certain financial ratios, and (iii) interest rate risk. Although we anticipate that we will be able to repay or refinance our existing indebtedness and any other indebtedness when it matures, there can be no assurance that we will be able to do so or that the terms of such refinancing will be favorable. Our leverage may have important consequences including the following: (i) our ability to obtain additional financing for acquisitions, working capital, capital expenditures or other purposes, if necessary, may be impaired or such financing may not be available on terms favorable to us and (ii) a substantial decrease in operating cash flow, EBITDA (as defined in our credit agreements) or a substantial increase in our expenses could make it difficult for us to meet our debt service requirements and restrictive covenants and force us to sell assets and/or modify our operations.
 
We Have Little Control Over the Availability of Funds Needed to Fund New Investments and Maintain Existing Hotels.  In order to fund new hotel investments, as well as refurbish and improve existing hotels, both we and current and potential hotel owners must have access to capital. The availability of funds for new investments and maintenance of existing hotels depends in large measure on capital markets and liquidity factors over which we have little control. Current and prospective hotel owners may find hotel financing expensive and difficult to obtain. Delays, increased costs and other impediments to restructuring such projects may affect our ability to realize fees, recover loans and guarantee advances, or realize equity investments from such projects. Our ability to recover loans and guarantee advances from hotel operations or from owners through the proceeds of hotel sales, refinancing of debt or otherwise may also affect our ability to raise new capital. In addition, downgrades of our public debt ratings by rating agencies could increase our cost of capital. A breach of a covenant could result in an event of default that, if not cured or waived, could result in an acceleration of all or a substantial portion of our debt. For a more detailed description of the covenants imposed by our debt obligations, see Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of


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Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Cash Used for Financing Activities in this Annual Report.
 
Volatility in the Credit Markets Will Continue to Adversely Impact Our Ability to Sell the Loans That Our Vacation Ownership Business Generates.  Our vacation ownership business provides financing to purchasers of our vacation ownership units, and we attempt to sell interests in those loans in the securities markets. Volatility in the credit markets may impact the timing and volume of the timeshare loans that we are able to sell. Although we expect to realize the economic value of our vacation ownership note portfolio even if future note sales are temporarily or indefinitely delayed, such delays may result in either increased borrowings to provide capital to replace anticipated proceeds from such sales or reduced spending in order to maintain our leverage and return targets.
 
Risks Relating to So-Called Acts of God, Terrorist Activity and War
 
Our financial and operating performance may be adversely affected by so-called acts of God, such as natural disasters, in locations where we own and/or operate significant properties and areas of the world from which we draw a large number of customers. Similarly, wars (including the potential for war), terrorist activity (including threats of terrorist activity), political unrest and other forms of civil strife and geopolitical uncertainty have caused in the past, and may cause in the future, our results to differ materially from anticipated results.
 
Risks Related to Pandemic Diseases
 
Our business could be materially and adversely affected by the effect of a pandemic disease on the travel industry. For example, the past outbreaks of SARS and avian flu had a severe impact on the travel industry, and the recent outbreak of swine flu in Mexico had a similar impact. A prolonged recurrence of SARS, avian flu, swine flu or another pandemic disease also may result in health or other government authorities imposing restrictions on travel. Any of these events could result in a significant drop in demand for our hotel and vacation ownership businesses and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
 
Our Insurance Policies May Not Cover All Potential Losses
 
We carry insurance coverage for general liability, property, business interruption and other risks with respect to our owned and leased properties and we make available insurance programs for owners of properties we manage. These policies offer coverage terms and conditions that we believe are usual and customary for our industry. Generally, our “all-risk” property policies provide that coverage is available on a per occurrence basis and that, for each occurrence, there is a limit as well as various sub-limits on the amount of insurance proceeds we will receive in excess of applicable deductibles. In addition, there may be overall limits under the policies. Sub-limits exist for certain types of claims such as service interruption, debris removal, expediting costs or landscaping replacement, and the dollar amounts of these sub-limits are significantly lower than the dollar amounts of the overall coverage limit. Our property policies also provide that for the coverage of critical earthquake (California and Mexico), hurricane and flood, all of the claims from each of our properties resulting from a particular insurable event must be combined together for purposes of evaluating whether the annual aggregate limits and sub-limits contained in our policies have been exceeded and any such claims will also be combined with the claims of owners of managed hotels that participate in our insurance program for the same purpose. Therefore, if insurable events occur that affect more than one of our owned hotels and/or managed hotels owned by third parties that participate in our insurance program, the claims from each affected hotel will be added together to determine whether the per occurrence limit, annual aggregate limit or sub-limits, depending on the type of claim, have been reached and if the limits or sub-limits are exceeded each affected hotel will only receive a proportional share of the amount of insurance proceeds provided for under the policy. In addition, under those circumstances, claims by third party owners will reduce the coverage available for our owned and leased properties.
 
In addition, there are also other risks including but not limited to war, certain forms of terrorism such as nuclear, biological or chemical terrorism, political risks, some environmental hazards and/or acts of God that may be deemed to fall completely outside the general coverage limits of our policies or may be uninsurable or may be too expensive to justify insuring against.


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We may also encounter challenges with an insurance provider regarding whether it will pay a particular claim that we believe to be covered under our policy. Should an uninsured loss or a loss in excess of insured limits occur, we could lose all or a portion of the capital we have invested in a hotel or resort, as well as the anticipated future revenue from the hotel or resort. In that event, we might nevertheless remain obligated for any mortgage debt or other financial obligations related to the property.
 
Our Acquisitions/Dispositions and Investments in New Brands May Ultimately Not Prove Successful and We May Not Realize Anticipated Benefits
 
We will consider corporate as well as property acquisitions and investments that complement our business. In many cases, we will be competing for these opportunities with third parties who may have substantially greater financial resources or different or lower acceptable financial metrics than we do. There can be no assurance that we will be able to identify acquisition or investment candidates or complete transactions on commercially reasonable terms or at all. If transactions are consummated, there can be no assurance that any anticipated benefits will actually be realized. Similarly, there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain additional financing for acquisitions or investments, or that the ability to obtain such financing will not be restricted by the terms of our debt agreements.
 
We periodically review our business to identify properties or other assets that we believe either are non-core, no longer complement our business, are in markets which may not benefit us as much as other markets during an economic recovery or could be sold at significant premiums. We are focused on restructuring and enhancing real estate returns and monetizing investments, and from time to time, may attempt to sell these identified properties and assets. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be able to complete dispositions on commercially reasonable terms or at all or that any anticipated benefits will actually be received.
 
We may develop and launch additional brands in the future. There can be no assurance regarding the level of acceptance of these brands in the development and consumer marketplaces, that the cost incurred in developing the brands will be recovered or that the anticipated benefits from these new brands will be realized.
 
Investing Through Partnerships or Joint Ventures Decreases Our Ability to Manage Risk
 
In addition to acquiring or developing hotels and resorts or acquiring companies that complement our business directly, we have from time to time invested, and expect to continue to invest, as a co-venturer. Joint venturers often have shared control over the operation of the joint venture assets. Therefore, joint venture investments may involve risks such as the possibility that the co-venturer in an investment might become bankrupt or not have the financial resources to meet its obligations, or have economic or business interests or goals that are inconsistent with our business interests or goals, or be in a position to take action contrary to our instructions or requests or contrary to our policies or objectives. Consequently, actions by a co-venturer might subject hotels and resorts owned by the joint venture to additional risk. Further, we may be unable to take action without the approval of our joint venture partners. Alternatively, our joint venture partners could take actions binding on the joint venture without our consent. Additionally, should a joint venture partner become bankrupt, we could become liable for our partner’s share of joint venture liabilities.
 
Our Vacation Ownership Business is Subject to Extensive Regulation and Risk of Default
 
We market and sell VOIs, which typically entitle the buyer to ownership of a fully-furnished resort unit for a one-week period on either an annual or an alternate-year basis. We also acquire, develop and operate vacation ownership resorts, and provide financing to purchasers of VOIs. These activities are all subject to extensive regulation by the federal government and the states in which vacation ownership resorts are located and in which VOIs are marketed and sold including regulation of our telemarketing activities under state and federal “Do Not Call” laws. In addition, the laws of most states in which we sell VOIs grant the purchaser the right to rescind the purchase contract at any time within a statutory rescission period. Although we believe that we are in material compliance with all applicable federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations to which vacation ownership marketing, sales and operations are currently subject, changes in these requirements, or a determination by a regulatory authority that we were not in compliance, could adversely affect us. In particular, increased regulations of telemarketing activities could adversely impact the marketing of our VOIs.


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We bear the risk of defaults under purchaser mortgages on VOIs. If a VOI purchaser defaults on the mortgage during the early part of the loan amortization period, we will not have recovered the marketing, selling (other than commissions in certain events), and general and administrative costs associated with such VOI, and such costs will be incurred again in connection with the resale of the repossessed VOI. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the sales price will be fully or partially recovered from a defaulting purchaser or, in the event of such defaults, that our allowance for losses will be adequate.
 
Risks Related to Privacy Initiatives
 
We collect information relating to our guests for various business purposes, including marketing and promotional purposes. The collection and use of personal data are governed by privacy laws and regulations enacted in the United States and other jurisdictions around the world. Privacy regulations continue to evolve and on occasion may be inconsistent from one jurisdiction to another. Compliance with applicable privacy regulations may increase our operating costs and/or adversely impact our ability to market our products, properties and services to our guests. In addition, non-compliance with applicable privacy regulations by us (or in some circumstances non-compliance by third parties engaged by us) or a breach of security on systems storing our data may result in fines, payment of damages or restrictions on our use or transfer of data.
 
Risks Related to Our Ability to Manage Growth
 
Our future success and our ability to manage future growth depend in large part upon the efforts of our senior management and our ability to attract and retain key officers and other highly qualified personnel. Competition for such personnel is intense. In the past several years, we have experienced significant changes in our senior management, including executive officers (see Item 10. “Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance” of this Annual Report). There can be no assurance that we will continue to be successful in attracting and retaining qualified personnel. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that our senior management will be able to successfully execute and implement our growth and operating strategies.
 
Over the last few years we have been pursuing a strategy of reducing our investment in owned real estate and increasing our focus on the management and franchise business. As a result, we are planning on substantially increasing the number of hotels we open every year and increasing the overall number of hotels in our system. This increase will require us to recruit and train a substantial number of new associates to work at these hotels as well as increasing our capabilities to enable hotels to open on time and successfully. There can be no assurance that our strategy will be successful.
 
Tax Risks
 
Evolving Government Regulation Could Impose Taxes or Other Burdens on Our Business.  We rely upon generally available interpretations of tax laws and other types of laws and regulations in the countries and locales in which we operate. We cannot be sure that these interpretations are accurate or that the responsible taxing or other governmental authority is in agreement with our views. The imposition of additional taxes or requirements to change the way we conduct our business could cause us to have to pay taxes that we currently do not collect or pay or increase the costs of our services or increase our costs of operations.
 
Our current business practice with our internet reservation channels is that the intermediary collects hotel occupancy tax from its customer based on the price that the intermediary paid us for the hotel room. We then remit these taxes to the various tax authorities. Several jurisdictions have stated that they may take the position that the tax is also applicable to the intermediaries’ gross profit on these hotel transactions. If jurisdictions take this position, they should seek the additional tax payments from the intermediary; however, it is possible that they may seek to collect the additional tax payment from us and we would not be able to collect these taxes from the customers. To the extent that any tax authority succeeds in asserting that the hotel occupancy tax applies to the gross revenue on these transactions, we believe that any additional tax would be the responsibility of the intermediary. However, it is possible that we might have additional tax exposure. In such event, such actions could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.


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Risks Relating to Ownership of Our Shares
 
Our Board of Directors May Issue Preferred Stock and Establish the Preferences and Rights of Such Preferred Stock.  Our charter provides that the total number of shares of stock of all classes which the Corporation has authority to issue is 1,200,000,000, consisting of one billion shares of common stock and 200 million shares of preferred stock. Our Board of Directors has the authority, without a vote of shareholders, to establish the preferences and rights of any preferred shares to be issued and to issue such shares. The issuance of preferred shares having special preferences or rights could delay or prevent a change in control even if a change in control would be in the interests of our shareholders. Since our Board of Directors has the power to establish the preferences and rights of preferred shares without a shareholder vote, our Board of Directors may give the holders preferences, powers and rights, including voting rights, senior to the rights of holders of our shares.
 
Our Board of Directors May Implement Anti-Takeover Devices and Our Charter and Bylaws Contain Provisions which May Prevent Takeovers.  Certain provisions of Maryland law permit our Board of Directors, without stockholder approval, to implement possible takeover defenses that are not currently in place, such as a classified board. In addition, our charter contains provisions relating to restrictions on transferability of the Corporation Shares, which provisions may be amended only by the affirmative vote of our shareholders holding two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. As permitted under the Maryland General Corporation Law, our Bylaws provide that directors have the exclusive right to amend our Bylaws.
 
Item 1B.   Unresolved Staff Comments.
 
Not applicable.
 
Item 2.   Properties.
 
We are one of the largest hotel and leisure companies in the world, with operations in approximately 100 countries. We consider our hotels and resorts, including vacation ownership resorts (together “Resorts”), generally to be premier establishments with respect to desirability of location, size, facilities, physical condition, quality and variety of services offered in the markets in which they are located. Although obsolescence arising from age, condition of facilities, and style can adversely affect our Resorts, Starwood and third-party owners of managed and franchised Resorts expend substantial funds to renovate and maintain their facilities in order to remain competitive. For further information see Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources in this Annual Report.
 
Our hotel business included 1,027 owned, managed or franchised hotels with approximately 302,000 rooms and our owned vacation ownership and residential business included 14 stand-alone vacation ownership resorts and residential properties at December 31, 2010, predominantly under seven brands. All brands (other than the Four Points by Sheraton and the Aloft and Element brands) represent full-service properties that range in amenities from luxury hotels and resorts to more moderately priced hotels. Our Four Points by Sheraton, Aloft and Element brands are select service properties that cater to more value oriented consumers.
 
The following table reflects our hotel and vacation ownership properties, by brand, as of December 31, 2010:
 
                 
    Hotels,
 
    VOI and Residential(a)  
    Properties     Rooms  
 
St. Regis and Luxury Collection
    97       19,400  
W
    38       11,200  
Westin
    181       71,200  
Le Méridien
    100       26,700  
Sheraton
    401       141,500  
Four Points
    158       27,400  
Aloft 
    46       6,800  
Independent / Other
    20       4,500  
                 
Total
    1,041       308,700  
                 


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(a) Includes vacation ownership properties of which 14 are stand-alone, eight are mixed-use and one is an unconsolidated joint venture totaling rooms of 7,000.
 
Hotel Business
 
Managed and Franchised Hotels.  Hotel and resort properties in the United States are often owned by entities that do not manage hotels or own a brand name. Hotel owners typically enter into management contracts with hotel management companies to operate their hotels. When a management company does not offer a brand affiliation, the hotel owner often chooses to pay separate franchise fees to secure the benefits of brand marketing, centralized reservations and other centralized administrative functions, particularly in the sales and marketing area. Management believes that companies, such as Starwood, that offer both hotel management services and well-established worldwide brand names appeal to hotel owners by providing the full range of management, marketing and reservation services. In 2010, we opened 70 managed and franchised hotels with approximately 15,000 rooms and 22 managed and franchised hotels with approximately 7,000 rooms left the system.
 
Managed Hotels.  We manage hotels worldwide, usually under a long-term agreement with the hotel owner (including entities in which we have a minority equity interest). Our responsibilities under hotel management contracts typically include hiring, training and supervising the managers and employees that operate these facilities. For additional fees, we provide centralized reservation services and coordinate national advertising and certain marketing and promotional services. We prepare and implement annual budgets for the hotels we manage and are responsible for allocating property-owner funds for periodic maintenance and repair of buildings and furnishings. In addition to our owned and leased hotels, at December 31, 2010, we managed 463 hotels with approximately 159,200 rooms worldwide. During the year ended December 31, 2010, we generated management fees by geographic area as follows:
 
         
United States
    33.1 %
Asia Pacific
    26.2 %
Middle East and Africa
    17.4 %
Europe
    15.6 %
Americas (Latin America, Caribbean & Canada)
    7.7 %
         
Total
    100.0 %
         
 
Management contracts typically provide for base fees tied to gross revenue and incentive fees tied to profits as well as fees for other services, including centralized reservations, sales and marketing, public relations and national and international media advertising. In our experience, owners seek hotel managers that can provide attractively priced base, incentive and marketing fees combined with demonstrated sales and marketing expertise and operations-focused management designed to enhance profitability. Some of our management contracts permit the hotel owner to terminate the agreement when the hotel is sold or otherwise transferred to a third party, as well as if we fail to meet established performance criteria. In addition, many hotel owners seek equity, debt or other investments from us to help finance hotel renovations or conversions to a Starwood brand so as to align the interests of the owner and Starwood. Our ability or willingness to make such investments may determine, in part, whether we will be offered, will accept or will retain a particular management contract. During the year ended December 31, 2010, we opened 39 managed hotels with approximately 9,000 rooms, and 15 managed hotels with approximately 5,000 rooms left our system. In addition, during 2010, we signed management agreements for 61 hotels with approximately 15,000 rooms, a small portion of which opened in 2010 and the majority of which will open in the future.
 
Brand Franchising and Licensing.  We franchise our Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, Luxury Collection, Le Méridien, Aloft and Element brand names and generally derive licensing and other fees from franchisees based on a fixed percentage of the franchised hotel’s room revenue, as well as fees for other services, including centralized reservations, sales and marketing, public relations and national and international media advertising. In addition, a franchisee may also purchase hotel supplies, including brand-specific products, from certain Starwood-approved vendors. We approve certain plans for, and the location of, franchised hotels and review


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their design. At December 31, 2010, there were 502 franchised properties with approximately 121,400 rooms. During the year ended December 31, 2010, we generated franchise fees by geographic area as follows:
 
         
United States
    63.9 %
Europe
    12.2 %
Americas (Latin America, Caribbean & Canada)
    13.4 %
Asia Pacific
    9.6 %
Middle East and Africa
    0.9 %
         
Total
    100.0 %
         
 
In addition to the franchise contracts we retained in connection with the sale of hotels during the year ended December 31, 2010, we opened 31 franchised hotels with approximately 6,000 rooms, and seven franchised hotels with approximately 2,000 rooms left our system. In addition, during 2010 we signed franchise agreements for 35 hotels with approximately 7,000 rooms, a portion of which opened in 2010 and a portion of which will open in the future.
 
Owned, Leased and Consolidated Joint Venture Hotels.  Historically, we have derived the majority of our revenues and operating income from our owned, leased and consolidated joint venture hotels and a significant portion of these results are driven by these hotels in North America. However, beginning in 2006, we embarked upon a strategy of selling a significant number of hotels. Since the beginning of 2006, we have sold 62 wholly owned hotels which has substantially reduced our revenues and operating income from owned, leased and consolidated joint venture hotels. The majority of these hotels were sold subject to long-term management or franchise contracts. To date, where we have sold hotels, we have not provided seller financing or other financial assistance to buyers. Total revenues generated from our owned, leased and consolidated joint venture hotels worldwide for the years ending December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 were $1.704 billion, $1.584 billion and $2.212 billion, respectively (total revenues from our owned, leased and consolidated joint venture hotels in North America were $1.067 billion, $1.024 billion and $1.380 billion for 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively).
 
The following represents our top five markets in the United States by metropolitan area as a percentage of our total owned, leased and consolidated joint venture revenues for the year ended December 31, 2010 (with comparable data for 2009):
 
Top Five Domestic Markets in the United States as a % of Total Owned
Revenues for the Year Ended December 31, 2010 with Comparable Data for 2009(1)
 
                 
    2010
    2009
 
Metropolitan Area   Revenues     Revenues  
 
New York, NY
    12.7 %     14.2 %
Hawaii
    6.2 %     6.3 %
Phoenix, AZ
    5.0 %     5.1 %
Boston, MA
    4.4 %     4.4 %
Chicago, IL
    4.3 %     3.9 %


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The following represents our top five international markets by country as a percentage of our total owned, leased and consolidated joint venture revenues for the year ended December 31, 2010 (with comparable data for 2009):
 
Top Five International Markets as a % of Total Owned
Revenues for the Year Ended December 31, 2010 with Comparable Data for 2009(1)
 
                 
    2010
    2009
 
Country   Revenues     Revenues  
 
Canada
    10.8 %     9.3 %
Italy
    7.0 %     7.5 %
Spain
    5.5 %     2.8 %
Mexico
    4.1 %     4.7 %
Australia
    4.1 %     5.3 %
 
 
(1) Includes the revenues of hotels sold for the period prior to their sale.
 
Following the sale of a significant number of our hotels in the past three years, we currently own or lease 62 hotels as follows:
 
                 
Hotel   Location   Rooms
 
U.S. Hotels:
               
The St. Regis Hotel, New York
    New York, NY       229  
St. Regis Hotel, San Francisco
    San Francisco, CA       260  
The Phoenician
    Scottsdale, AZ       643  
W New York — Times Square
    New York, NY       509  
W Chicago Lakeshore
    Chicago, IL       520  
W Los Angeles Westwood
    Los Angeles, CA       258  
W Chicago City Center
    Chicago, IL       368  
W New Orleans
    New Orleans, LA       423  
W New Orleans, French Quarter
    New Orleans, LA       87  
W Atlanta
    Atlanta, GA       275  
The Westin Maui Resort & Spa
    Maui, HI       759  
The Westin Peachtree Plaza, Atlanta
    Atlanta, GA       1,068  
The Westin Gaslamp San Diego
    San Diego, CA       450  
The Westin San Francisco Airport
    San Francisco, CA       397  
The Westin St. John Resort & Villas
    St. John, Virgin Islands       175  
Sheraton Kauai Resort
    Kauai, HI       394  
Sheraton Steamboat Springs Resort
    Steamboat Springs, CO       206  
Sheraton Suites Philadelphia Airport
    Philadelphia, PA       251  
Aloft Lexington
    Lexington, MA       136  
Aloft Philadelphia Airport
    Philadelphia, PA       136  
Element Lexington
    Lexington, MA       123  
Four Points by Sheraton Philadelphia Airport
    Philadelphia, PA       177  
Four Points by Sheraton Tucson University Plaza
    Tucson, AZ       150  
The Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers
    Boston, MA       941  
The Manhattan at Times Square
    New York, NY       665  
Tremont Hotel
    Chicago, IL       135  
Clarion Hotel
    San Francisco, CA       251  


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Hotel   Location   Rooms
 
Cove Haven Resort
    Scranton, PA       276  
Pocono Palace Resort
    Scranton, PA       189  
Paradise Stream Resort
    Scranton, PA       143  
International Hotels:
               
St. Regis Grand Hotel, Rome
    Rome, Italy       161  
St. Regis Osaka
    Tokyo, Japan       160  
Grand Hotel
    Florence, Italy       107  
Hotel Gritti Palace
    Venice, Italy       91  
Park Tower
    Buenos Aires, Argentina       180  
Hotel Alfonso XIII
    Seville, Spain       147  
Hotel Imperial
    Vienna, Austria       138  
Hotel Bristol, Vienna
    Vienna, Austria       140  
Hotel Goldener Hirsch
    Salzburg, Austria       69  
Hotel Maria Cristina
    San Sebastian, Spain       136  
W Barcelona
    Barcelona, Spain       473  
The Westin Excelsior, Rome
    Rome, Italy       316  
The Westin Resort & Spa, Los Cabos
    Los Cabos, Mexico       243  
The Westin Resort & Spa, Puerto Vallarta
    Puerto Vallarta, Mexico       280  
The Westin Excelsior, Florence
    Florence, Italy       171  
The Westin Resort & Spa Cancun
    Cancun, Mexico       379  
The Westin Denarau Island Resort
    Nadi, Fiji       273  
The Westin Dublin Hotel
    Dublin, Ireland       163  
Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel
    Toronto, Canada       1,377  
Sheraton On The Park
    Sydney, Australia       557  
Sheraton Rio Hotel & Resort
    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil       559  
Sheraton Diana Majestic Hotel
    Milan, Italy       106  
Sheraton Ambassador Hotel
    Monterrey, Mexico       229  
Sheraton Lima Hotel & Convention Center
    Lima, Peru       431  
Sheraton Santa Maria de El Paular
    Rascafria, Spain       44  
Sheraton Fiji Resort
    Nadi, Fiji       264  
Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel & Convention Center
    Buenos Aires, Argentina       739  
Sheraton Maria Isabel Hotel & Towers
    Mexico City, Mexico       755  
Sheraton Gateway Hotel in Toronto International Airport
    Toronto, Canada       474  
Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Hotel
    Montreal, Canada       825  
Sheraton Paris Airport Hotel & Conference Centre
    Paris, France       252  
The Park Lane Hotel, London
    London, England       303  

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An indicator of the performance of our owned, leased and consolidated joint venture hotels is revenue per available room (“REVPAR”)(1), as it measures the period-over-period growth in rooms revenue for comparable properties. This is particularly the case in the United States where there is no impact on this measure from foreign exchange rates.
 
The following table summarizes REVPAR, average daily rates (“ADR”) and average occupancy rates on a year-to-year basis for our 54 owned, leased and consolidated joint venture hotels (excluding nine hotels sold or closed and eight hotels undergoing significant repositionings or without comparable results in 2010 and 2009) (“Same-Store Owned Hotels”) for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009:
 
                         
    Year Ended
   
    December 31,    
    2010   2009   Variance
 
Worldwide (54 hotels with approximately 19,000 rooms)
                       
REVPAR
  $ 136.27     $ 122.57       11.2 %
ADR
  $ 196.62     $ 191.60       2.6 %
Occupancy
    69.3 %     64.0 %     5.3  
North America (28 hotels with approximately 12,000 rooms)
                       
REVPAR
  $ 141.02     $ 126.41       11.6 %
ADR
  $ 192.97     $ 184.26       4.7 %
Occupancy
    73.1 %     68.6 %     4.5  
International (26 hotels with approximately 7,000 rooms)
                       
REVPAR
  $ 129.05     $ 116.74       10.5 %
ADR
  $ 202.99     $ 205.04       (1.0 )%
Occupancy
    63.6 %     56.9 %     6.7  
 
 
(1) REVPAR is calculated by dividing room revenue, which is derived from rooms and suites rented or leased, by total room nights available for a given period. REVPAR may not be comparable to similarly titled measures such as revenues.
 
During the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, we invested approximately $184 million and $171 million, respectively, for capital expenditures at owned hotels. These capital expenditures include construction costs at W City Center in Chicago, IL, Westin Peachtree Plaza in Atlanta, GA, Westin Gaslamp in San Diego, CA, The Phoenician in Scottsdale, AZ, and the Manhattan Hotel at Times Square in New York, NY.
 
The following table summarizes REVPAR, ADR and occupancy for our Same-Store Systemwide Hotels on a year-to-year basis for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009. Same-Store Systemwide Hotels represent results for the same store owned, leased, managed and franchised hotels.
 
                         
    Year Ended
   
    December 31,    
    2010   2009   Variance
 
Worldwide
                       
REVPAR
  $ 106.57     $ 97.45       9.4 %
ADR
  $ 160.00     $ 158.51       0.9 %
Occupancy
    66.6 %     61.5 %     5.1  
North America
                       
REVPAR
  $ 99.81     $ 92.17       8.3 %
ADR
  $ 147.99     $ 147.29       0.5 %
Occupancy
    67.4 %     62.6 %     4.8  
International
                       
REVPAR
  $ 115.90     $ 104.75       10.6 %
ADR
  $ 177.08     $ 174.68       1.4 %
Occupancy
    65.5 %     60.0 %     5.5  


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Vacation Ownership and Residential Business
 
We develop, own and operate vacation ownership resorts, market and sell the VOIs in the resorts and, in many cases, provide financing to customers who purchase such ownership interests. Owners of VOIs can trade their interval for intervals at other Starwood vacation ownership resorts, for intervals at certain vacation ownership resorts not otherwise sponsored by Starwood through an exchange company, or for hotel stays at Starwood properties. From time to time, we securitize or sell the receivables generated from our sale of VOIs.
 
We have also entered into arrangements with several owners for mixed use hotel projects that will include a residential component. We have entered into licensing agreements for the use of certain of our brands to allow the owners to offer branded condominiums to prospective purchasers. In consideration, we typically receive a licensing fee equal to a percentage of the gross sales revenue of the units sold. The licensing arrangement generally terminates upon the earlier of sell-out of the units or a specified length of time.
 
At December 31, 2010, we had 23 residential and vacation ownership resorts and sites in our portfolio with 17 actively selling VOIs and residences including one unconsolidated joint venture. During 2010 and 2009 we invested approximately $151 million and $145 million, respectively, for vacation ownership capital expenditures, including VOI construction at the Westin Desert Willow Villas in Palm Desert, CA, the Westin Lagunamar Ocean Resort in Cancun, as well as construction costs at the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort in Miami Beach, FL.
 
Due to the global economic crisis and its impact on the long-term outlook for the timeshare industry, during the fourth quarter of 2009, we completed a comprehensive review of our vacation ownership projects. No new projects are being initiated and we have decided not to develop three vacation ownership sites and future phases of certain existing projects. As a result, inventories, fixed assets and land values at certain projects were determined to be impaired and were written down to their fair value, resulting in a primarily non-cash pre-tax impairment charge in 2009 of $255 million. Additionally, in connection with this review of the business, we made a decision to reduce the pricing of certain inventory at existing projects, resulting in a pre-tax charge of $17 million. As a result of these decisions and future plans for the vacation ownership business, we also recorded a $90 million non-cash charge for the impairment of goodwill associated with the vacation ownership reporting unit.
 
Item 3.   Legal Proceedings.
 
Incorporated by reference to the description of legal proceedings in Note 26. Commitments and Contingencies, in the consolidated financial statements set forth in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.


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PART II
 
Item 5.   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
Market Information
 
The Corporation Shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “HOT”.
 
The following table sets forth the quarterly range of the high and low sale prices of the Corporation Shares for the fiscal periods indicated as reported on the NYSE Composite Tape:
 
                 
    High   Low
 
2010
               
Fourth quarter
  $ 62.72     $ 52.16  
Third quarter
  $ 54.25     $ 39.60  
Second quarter
  $ 56.65     $ 41.28  
First quarter
  $ 47.52     $ 33.15  
2009
               
Fourth quarter
  $ 37.55     $ 27.66  
Third quarter
  $ 34.78     $ 18.49  
Second quarter
  $ 26.68     $ 12.12  
First quarter
  $ 23.78     $ 8.99  
 
Approximate Number of Equity Security Holders
 
As of February 11, 2011, there were approximately 14,000 holders of record of Corporation Shares.
 
Dividends
 
The following table sets forth the frequency and amount of dividends made by the Corporation to holders of Corporation Shares for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009:
 
         
    Dividends
    Declared
 
2010
       
Annual dividend
  $ 0.30(a )
2009
       
Annual dividend
  $ 0.20(b )
 
 
(a) The Corporation declared a dividend in the fourth quarter of 2010 to shareholders of record on December 16, 2010, which was paid in December 2010.
 
(b) The Corporation declared a dividend in the fourth quarter of 2009 to shareholders of record on December 31, 2009, which was paid in January 2010.
 
Conversion of Securities; Sale of Unregistered Securities
 
In 2006, we completed the redemption of the remaining 25,000 outstanding shares of Class B Exchangeable Preferred Shares of the Trust (“Class B EPS”) for approximately $1 million in cash. Also in 2006, in connection with the Host Transaction, we redeemed all of the Class A Exchangeable Preferred Shares of the Trust (“Class A EPS”) (approximately 562,000 shares) and Realty Partnership units (approximately 40,000 units) for approximately $34 million in cash. SLC Operating Limited Partnership units are convertible into Corporation Shares at the unit holder’s option, provided that we have the option to settle conversion requests in cash or Corporation Shares. In 2006, we redeemed approximately 926,000 SLC Operating Limited Partnership units for approximately $56 million in cash, and there were approximately 166,000 and 169,000 of these units outstanding at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
We did not repurchase any Corporation Shares during 2010.


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STOCK RETURN PERFORMANCE AND CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
 
Set forth below is a line graph comparing the cumulative total stockholder return on the Corporation Shares (and Shares until April 7, 2006) against the cumulative total return on the S&P 500 and the S&P 500 Hotel Index (the “S&P 500 Hotel”) for the five fiscal years beginning December 31, 2005 and ending December 31, 2010. The graph assumes that the value of the investments was 100 on December 31, 2005 and that all dividends and other distributions were reinvested. In addition, the Share prices for the periods prior to the Host Transaction on April 10, 2006 have been adjusted based on the value shareholders received for their Class B shares. The comparisons are provided in response to SEC disclosure requirements and are not intended to forecast or be indicative of future performance.
 
(PERFORMANCE GRAPH)
 
                                                             
      12/31/05     12/31/06     12/31/07     12/31/08     12/31/09     12/31/10
Starwood
      100.00         122.72         88.22         37.67         77.38         129.24  
S&P 500
      100.00         115.78         122.14         76.96         97.33         112.01  
S&P 500 Hotel
      100.00         114.60         100.35         51.89         80.87         123.94  
                                                             


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Item 6.   Selected Financial Data.
 
The following financial and operating data should be read in conjunction with the information set forth under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report and incorporated herein by reference.
 
                                         
    Year Ended December 31,
    2010   2009   2008   2007   2006
    (In millions, except per share data)
 
Income Statement Data
                                       
Revenues
  $ 5,071     $ 4,696     $ 5,754     $ 5,999     $ 5,840  
Operating income
  $ 600     $ 26     $ 610     $ 841     $ 824  
Income (loss) from continuing operations(b)
  $ 310     $ (1 )   $ 249     $ 532     $ 1,105  
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
  $ 1.63     $ 0.00     $ 1.34     $ 2.52     $ 4.96  
Operating Data
                                       
Cash from operating activities
  $ 764     $ 571     $ 646     $ 884     $ 500  
Cash from (used for) investing activities
  $ (71 )   $ 116     $ (172 )   $ (215 )   $ 1,402  
Cash used for financing activities
  $ (26 )   $ (993 )   $ (243 )   $ (712 )   $ (2,635 )
Aggregate cash distributions paid
  $ 93     $ 165     $ 172     $ 90     $ 276  
Cash distributions and dividends declared per Share
  $ 0.30     $ 0.20     $ 0.90     $ 0.90     $ 0.84 (a)
 
 
(a) In connection with the Host Transaction, in February and March 2006, the Trust declared distributions totaling $0.42 per Corporation Share. In December 2006, the Corporation declared a dividend of $0.42 per Corporation Share.
 
(b) Amounts represent income from continuing operations attributable to Starwood Shares (i.e. excluding non-controlling interests).
 
                                         
    At December 31,
    2010   2009   2008   2007   2006
    (In millions)
 
Balance Sheet Data
                                       
Total assets
  $ 9,776     $ 8,761     $ 9,703     $ 9,622     $ 9,280  
Long-term debt, net of current maturities and including exchangeable units and Class B preferred shares
  $ 3,215     $ 2,955     $ 3,502     $ 3,590     $ 1,827  
 
Item 7.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) discusses our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and costs and expenses during the reporting periods. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments, including those relating to revenue recognition, bad debts, inventories, investments, plant, property and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets, income taxes, financing operations, frequent guest program liability, self-insurance claims payable, restructuring costs, retirement benefits and contingencies and litigation.
 
Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily available from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions.


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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
We believe the following to be our critical accounting policies:
 
Revenue Recognition.  Our revenues are primarily derived from the following sources: (1) hotel and resort revenues at our owned, leased and consolidated joint venture properties; (2) vacation ownership and residential revenues; (3) management and franchise revenues; (4) revenues from managed and franchised properties; and (5) other revenues which are ancillary to our operations. Generally, revenues are recognized when the services have been rendered. The following is a description of the composition of our revenues:
 
  •  Owned, Leased and Consolidated Joint Ventures — Represents revenue primarily derived from hotel operations, including the rental of rooms and food and beverage sales from owned, leased or consolidated joint venture hotels and resorts. Revenue is recognized when rooms are occupied and services have been rendered. These revenues are impacted by global economic conditions affecting the travel and hospitality industry as well as relative market share of the local competitive set of hotels. REVPAR is a leading indicator of revenue trends at owned, leased and consolidated joint venture hotels as it measures the period-over-period growth in rooms revenue for comparable properties.
 
  •  Vacation Ownership and Residential — We recognize revenue from VOI sales and financings and the sales of residential units which are typically a component of mixed use projects that include a hotel. Such revenues are impacted by the state of the global economies and, in particular, the U.S. economy, as well as interest rate and other economic conditions affecting the lending market. Revenue is generally recognized upon the buyer demonstrating a sufficient level of initial and continuing investment, the period of cancellation with refund has expired and receivables are deemed collectible. We determine the portion of revenues to recognize for sales accounted for under the percentage of completion method based on judgments and estimates including total project costs to complete. Additionally, we record reserves against these revenues based on expected default levels. Changes in costs could lead to adjustments to the percentage of completion status of a project, which may result in differences in the timing and amount of revenues recognized from the projects. We have also entered into licensing agreements with third-party developers to offer consumers branded condominiums or residences. Our fees from these agreements are generally based on the gross sales revenue of units sold. Residential fee revenue is recorded in the period that a purchase and sales agreement exists, delivery of services and obligations has occurred, the fee to the owner is deemed fixed and determinable and collectability of the fees is reasonably assured.
 
  •  Management and Franchise Revenues — Represents fees earned on hotels managed worldwide, usually under long-term contracts, franchise fees received in connection with the franchise of our Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, Le Méridien and Luxury Collection brand names, termination fees and the amortization of deferred gains related to sold properties for which we have significant continuing involvement. Management fees are comprised of a base fee, which is generally based on a percentage of gross revenues, and an incentive fee, which is generally based on the property’s profitability. For any time during the year, when the provisions of our management contracts allow receipt of incentive fees upon termination, incentive fees are recognized for the fees due and earned as if the contract was terminated at that date, exclusive of any termination fees due or payable. Therefore, during periods prior to year-end, the incentive fees recorded may not be indicative of the eventual incentive fees that will be recognized at year-end as conditions and incentive hurdle calculations may not be final. Franchise fees are generally based on a percentage of hotel room revenues. As with hotel revenues discussed above, these revenue sources are affected by conditions impacting the travel and hospitality industry as well as competition from other hotel management and franchise companies.
 
  •  Revenues from Managed and Franchised Properties — These revenues represent reimbursements of costs incurred on behalf of managed hotel properties and franchisees. These costs relate primarily to payroll costs at managed properties where we are the employer. Since the reimbursements are made based upon the costs incurred with no added margin, these revenues and corresponding expenses have no effect on our operating income and our net income.


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Goodwill and Intangible Assets.  Goodwill and intangible assets arise in connection with acquisitions, including the acquisition of management contracts. We do not amortize goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their respective useful lives. We review all goodwill and intangible assets for impairment by comparing their fair values to book values annually, or upon the occurrence of a trigger event. Impairment charges, if any, are recognized in operating results.
 
Frequent Guest Program.  SPG is our frequent guest incentive marketing program. SPG members earn points based on spending at our owned, managed and franchised hotels, as incentives to first-time buyers of VOIs and residences, and through participation in affiliated partners’ programs such as co-branded credit cards. Points can be redeemed at substantially all of our owned, managed and franchised hotels as well as through other redemption opportunities with third parties, such as conversion to airline miles.
 
We charge our owned, managed and franchised hotels the cost of operating the SPG program, including the estimated cost of our future redemption obligation, based on a percentage of our SPG members’ qualified expenditures. The Company’s management and franchise agreements require that we be reimbursed for the costs of operating the SPG program, including marketing, promotions and communications and performing member services for the SPG members. As points are earned, the Company increases the SPG point liability for the amount of cash it receives from its managed and franchised hotels related to the future redemption obligation. For its owned hotels we record an expense for the amount of our future redemption obligation with the offset to the SPG point liability. When points are redeemed by the SPG members, the hotels recognize revenue and the SPG point liability is reduced.
 
We, through the services of third-party actuarial analysts, determine the value of the future redemption obligation based on statistical formulas which project the timing of future point redemptions based on historical experience, including an estimate of the “breakage” for points that will never be redeemed, and an estimate of the points that will eventually be redeemed as well as the cost of reimbursing hotels and other third parties in respect of other redemption opportunities for point redemptions.
 
We consolidate the assets and liabilities of the SPG program including the liability associated with the future redemption obligation which is included in other long-term liabilities and accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The total actuarially determined liability (see Note 18), as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 is $753 million and $689 million, respectively, of which $225 million and $244 million, respectively, is included in accrued expenses.
 
Long-Lived Assets.  We evaluate the carrying value of our long-lived assets for impairment by comparing the expected undiscounted future cash flows of the assets to the net book value of the assets if certain trigger events occur. If the expected undiscounted future cash flows are less than the net book value of the assets, the excess of the net book value over the estimated fair value is charged to current earnings. Fair value is based upon discounted cash flows of the assets at a rate deemed reasonable for the type of asset and prevailing market conditions, sales of similar assets, appraisals and, if appropriate, current estimated net sales proceeds from pending offers. We evaluate the carrying value of our long-lived assets based on our plans, at the time, for such assets and such qualitative factors as future development in the surrounding area, status of expected local competition and projected incremental income from renovations. Changes to our plans, including a decision to dispose of or change the intended use of an asset, can have a material impact on the carrying value of the asset.
 
Loan Loss Reserves.  For the vacation ownership and residential segment, we record an estimate of expected uncollectibility on our VOI notes receivable as a reduction of revenue at the time we recognize a timeshare sale. We hold large amounts of homogeneous VOI notes receivable and therefore assess uncollectibility based on pools of receivables. In estimating loan loss reserves, we use a technique referred to as static pool analysis, which tracks defaults for each year’s mortgage originations over the life of the respective notes and projects an estimated default rate. As of December 31, 2010, the average estimated default rate for our pools of receivables was 10%.
 
The primary credit quality indicator used by us to calculate the loan loss reserve for the vacation ownership notes is the origination of the notes by brand (Sheraton, Westin, and Other) as we believe there is a relationship between the default behavior of borrowers and the brand associated with the vacation ownership property they have acquired. In addition to quantitatively calculating the loan loss reserve based on its static pool analysis, we


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supplement the process by evaluating certain qualitative data, including the aging of the respective receivables, current default trends by brand and origination year, and the Fair Isaac Corporation (“FICO”) scores of the buyers.
 
Given the significance of our respective pools of VOI notes receivable, a change in the projected default rate can have a significant impact to its loan loss reserve requirements, with a 0.1% change estimated to have an impact of approximately $3 million.
 
We consider a VOI note receivable delinquent when it is more than 30 days outstanding. All delinquent loans are placed on nonaccrual status and we do not resume interest accrual until payment is made. Upon reaching 120 days outstanding, the loan is considered to be in default and we commence the repossession process. Uncollectible VOI notes receivable are charged off when title to the unit is returned to us. We generally do not modify vacation ownership notes that become delinquent or upon default.
 
For the hotel segment, we measure the impairment of a loan based on the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate, or the estimated fair value of the collateral. For impaired loans, we establish a specific impairment reserve for the difference between the recorded investment in the loan and the present value of the expected future cash flows or the estimated fair value of the collateral. We apply the loan impairment policy individually to all loans in the portfolio and do not aggregate loans for the purpose of applying such policy. For loans that we have determined to be impaired, we recognize interest income on a cash basis.
 
Assets Held for Sale.  We consider properties to be assets held for sale when management approves and commits to a formal plan to actively market a property or group of properties for sale and a signed sales contract and significant non-refundable deposit or contract break-up fee exist. Upon designation as an asset held for sale, we record the carrying value of each property or group of properties at the lower of its carrying value which includes allocable segment goodwill or its estimated fair value, less estimated costs to sell, and we stop recording depreciation expense. Any gain realized in connection with the sale of a property for which we have significant continuing involvement (such as through a long-term management agreement) is deferred and recognized over the initial term of the related agreement. The operations of the properties held for sale prior to the sale date are recorded in discontinued operations unless we will have continuing involvement (such as through a management or franchise agreement) after the sale.
 
Legal Contingencies.  We are subject to various legal proceedings and claims, the outcomes of which are subject to significant uncertainty. An estimated loss from a loss contingency should be accrued by a charge to income if it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. We evaluate, among other factors, the degree of probability of an unfavorable outcome and the ability to make a reasonable estimate of the amount of loss. Changes in these factors could materially impact our financial position or our results of operations.
 
Income Taxes.  We provide for income taxes in accordance with principles contained in ASC 740, Income Taxes.  Under these principles, we recognize the amount of income tax payable or refundable for the current year and deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. We also measure and recognize the amount of tax benefit that should be recorded for financial statement purposes for uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. With respect to uncertain tax positions, we evaluate the recognized tax benefits for derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, interim period accounting and disclosure requirements. Judgment is required in assessing the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns.


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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
The following discussion presents an analysis of results of our operations for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.
 
Business conditions in the global lodging industry were extremely difficult beginning in the middle of 2008 through late 2009, but have improved during 2010. These improvements have resulted from better than expected occupancy primarily related to our three main classes of customers: business, leisure and group travelers, and the stabilization of room rates. As corporate profits have continued to rise, our business from the business travelers, which accounts for the majority of our revenues, is leading the recovery. In addition, the supply side growth has been lower than recent years which has led us to achieve upper single digit to low double digit REVPAR growth in many of our leading markets. We are the largest operator of upper upscale and luxury hotels in the world and we are seeing luxury travel leading the increases in occupancy. Despite the improvement in revenues, we continue to enforce previously instituted rigorous policies to control costs.
 
As discussed in Note 2 of the financial statements, following the adoption of ASU Nos. 2009-16 and 2009-17 on January 1, 2010, our statement of income beginning with the year ended December 31, 2010 no longer reflects securitization income, but instead reports interest income, net charge-offs and certain other income associated with all securitized loan receivables, and interest expense associated with debt issued from the trusts to third-party investors in the same line items in our statement of income as debt. Additionally, we will no longer record initial gains or losses on new securitization activity since securitized vacation ownership notes receivable no longer receive sale accounting treatment. Finally, we no longer recognize gains or losses on the revaluation of the interest-only strip receivable as that asset is not recognized in a transaction accounted for as a secured borrowing.
 
Our statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2009 and our balance sheet as of December 31, 2009 have not been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the adoption of ASU Nos. 2009-16 and 2009-17. Therefore, current period results will not be comparable to prior period amounts, particularly with regards to:
 
  •  Vacation ownership and residential sales and services
 
  •  Interest expense
 
Year Ended December 31, 2010 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2009
 
Continuing Operations
 
                                 
                Increase /
    Percentage
 
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
    (Decrease)
    Change
 
    December 31,
    December 31,
    from Prior
    from Prior
 
    2010     2009     Year     Year  
 
Owned, Leased and Consolidated Joint Venture Hotels
  $ 1,704     $ 1,584     $ 120       7.6 %
Management Fees, Franchise Fees and Other Income
    712       658       54       8.2 %
Vacation Ownership and Residential
    538       523       15       2.9 %
Other Revenues from Managed and Franchise Properties
    2,117       1,931       186       9.6 %
                                 
Total Revenues
  $ 5,071     $ 4,696     $ 375       8.0 %
                                 
 
The increase in revenues from owned, leased and consolidated joint venture hotels was primarily due to improved REVPAR (as discussed below) at our existing owned, leased and consolidated joint venture hotels, offset in part by lost revenues from eight wholly owned hotels sold or closed in 2010 and 2009. These sold or closed hotels had revenues of $18 million in the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $98 million in the corresponding period of 2009. Revenues at our Same-Store Owned Hotels (54 hotels for the year ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, excluding the eight hotels sold or closed and eight additional hotels undergoing significant repositionings or without comparable results in 2010 and 2009) increased 8.2%, or $107 million, to $1.421 billion for the year ended December 31, 2010 when compared to $1.314 billion in the same period of 2009 due primarily to an increase in REVPAR.


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REVPAR at our Same-Store Owned Hotels increased 11.2% to $136.27 for the year ended December 31, 2010 when compared to the corresponding 2009 period. The increase in REVPAR at these Same-Store Owned Hotels resulted from a 2.6% increase in ADR to $196.62 for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $191.60 for the corresponding 2009 period and an increase in occupancy rates to 69.3% in the year ended December 31, 2010 when compared to 64.0% in the same period in 2009. REVPAR at Same-Store Owned Hotels in North America increased 11.6% for the year ended December 31, 2010 when compared to the same period of 2009. REVPAR growth was particularly strong at our owned hotels in New York, New York, Chicago, Illinois, Toronto, Canada and New Orleans, Louisiana. REVPAR at our international Same-Store Owned Hotels increased by 10.5% for the year ended December 31, 2010 when compared to the same period of 2009. REVPAR for Same-Store Owned Hotels internationally increased 11.6% excluding the unfavorable effects of foreign currency translation.
 
The increase in management fees, franchise fees and other income was primarily a result of a $59 million or 9.4% increase in management and franchise revenue to $689 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $630 million in the corresponding period in 2009. Management fees increased $53 million or 14.9% and franchise fees increased $23 million or 16.7% compared to the year ended December 31, 2009. These increases were due to growth in REVPAR at existing hotels as well as the net addition of 27 managed and 65 franchised hotels to our system since the beginning of 2009.
 
Total vacation ownership and residential sales and services revenue increased 2.9% to $538 million compared to $523 million in 2009 primarily driven by the impact of ASU 2009-17. Originated contract sales of VOI inventory decreased 3.1% for the year ended December 31, 2010 when compared to the same period in 2009. This decline was primarily driven by lower tour flow which was down 6.8% for the year ended December 31, 2010 when compared to the same period in 2009. The decline in tour flow was a result of the economic climate and resulting closure of fractional sales centers in the latter part of 2009. Additionally, the average contract amount per vacation ownership unit sold decreased 6.0% to approximately $15,000, driven by price reductions and inventory mix. Residential revenue increased approximately $6 million in the year ended December 31, 2010 primarily due to the recognition of $4 million of marketing and license fees associated with a new hotel and residential project in Guangzhou, China which opened in 2010.
 
Other revenues from managed and franchised properties increased primarily due to an increase in payroll costs commensurate with increased occupancy at our existing managed hotels and payroll costs for the new hotels entering the system. These revenues represent reimbursements of costs incurred on behalf of managed hotel and vacation ownership properties and franchisees and relate primarily to payroll costs at managed properties where we are the employer. Since the reimbursements are made based upon the costs incurred with no added margin, these revenues and corresponding expenses have no effect on our operating income and our net income.
 
                                 
            Increase/
  Percentage
    Year Ended
  Year Ended
  (Decrease)
  Change
    December 31,
  December 31,
  from Prior
  from Prior
    2010   2009   Year   Year
 
Selling, General, Administrative and Other
  $ 344     $ 314     $ 30       9.6 %
 
The increase in selling, general, administrative and other expenses for the year ended December 31, 2010 was primarily a result of higher incentive based compensation in the current year when compared to the prior year. This increase was partially offset by the reimbursement of previously expensed legal costs in connection with the favorable settlement of a lawsuit and an $8 million reversal of a guarantee liability which was favorably settled during the period (see Note 26).
 
                                 
            Increase/
  Percentage
    Year Ended
  Year Ended
  (Decrease)
  Change
    December 31,
  December 31,
  from Prior
  from Prior
    2010   2009   Year   Year
 
Restructuring, Goodwill Impairment and Other Special Charges (Credits), Net
  $ (75 )   $ 379     $ 454       n/m  
 
During the year ended December 31, 2010, we received cash proceeds of $75 million in connection with the favorable settlement of a lawsuit. We recorded this settlement, net of the reimbursement of legal costs incurred in connection with the litigation, as a credit to restructuring, goodwill impairment, and other special (credits) charges.


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Additionally, we recorded an $8 million credit related to the reversal of a reserve associated with an acquisition in 1998 as the liability is no longer deemed necessary.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2009, we completed a comprehensive review of our vacation ownership business. We decided not to develop certain vacation ownership sites and future phases of certain existing projects. As a result of these decisions, we recorded a primarily non-cash impairment charge of $255 million in the restructuring, goodwill impairment and other special charges (credits) line item. Additionally, we recorded a $90 million non-cash charge for the impairment of goodwill in the vacation ownership reporting unit.
 
Additionally, throughout 2009, we recorded restructuring and other special charges of $34 million related to our ongoing initiative of rationalizing our cost structure. These charges related to severance charges and costs to close vacation ownership sales galleries.
 
                                 
            Increase/
  Percentage
    Year Ended
  Year Ended
  (Decrease)
  Change
    December 31,
  December 31,
  from Prior
  from Prior
    2010   2009   Year   Year
 
Depreciation and Amortization
  $ 285     $ 309     $ (24 )     7.8 %
 
The decrease in depreciation expense for the year ended December 31, 2010, when compared to the same period of 2009, was due to reduced depreciation expense from sold hotels offset by additional capital expenditures made in the last twelve months.
 
                                 
            Increase/
  Percentage
    Year Ended
  Year Ended
  (Decrease)
  Change
    December 31,
  December 31,
  from Prior
  from Prior
    2010   2009   Year   Year
 
Operating Income
  $ 600     $ 26     $ 574       n/m  
 
The increase in operating income for the year ended December 31, 2010, when compared to the same period of 2009, is primarily related to the restructuring, goodwill impairments and other special charges (credits) favorable benefit of $75 million in 2010 compared to a charge of $379 million in 2009 (see earlier discussion). Additionally, the increase in operating income was favorably impacted by improved operating results in primarily all of our revenue streams, as discussed earlier.
 
                                 
            Increase/
  Percentage
    Year Ended
  Year Ended
  (Decrease)
  Change
    December 31,
  December 31,
  from Prior
  from Prior
    2010   2009   Year   Year
 
Equity Earnings (Losses) and Gains and Losses from Unconsolidated Ventures, Net
  $ 10     $ (4 )   $ 14       n/m  
 
The increase in equity earnings and gains and losses from unconsolidated joint ventures for the year ended December 31, 2010, when compared to the same period of 2009, was primarily due to improved operating results at several properties owned by joint ventures in which we hold non-controlling interests. The increase also relates to a charge of approximately $4 million, in 2009, related to an unfavorable mark-to-market adjustment on a US dollar denominated loan in an unconsolidated venture in Mexico.
 
                                 
            Increase/
  Percentage
    Year Ended
  Year Ended
  (Decrease)
  Change
    December 31,
  December 31,
  from Prior
  from Prior
    2010   2009   Year   Year
 
Net Interest Expense
  $ 236     $ 227     $ 9       4.0 %
 
The increase in net interest expense was primarily due to interest of $27 million on securitized debt related to the adoption of ASU No. 2009-17, partially offset by certain early debt extinguishment costs of $21 million that were incurred in 2009. Our weighted average interest rate was 6.86% at December 31, 2010 as compared to 6.73% at December 31, 2009.
 


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            Increase/
  Percentage
    Year Ended
  Year Ended
  (Decrease)
  Change
    December 31,
  December 31,
  from Prior
  from Prior
    2010   2009   Year   Year
 
Loss on Asset Dispositions and Impairments, Net
  $ (39 )   $ (91 )   $ 52       n/m  
 
During the year ended December 31, 2010, we recorded a net loss on dispositions of approximately $39 million, primarily related to a $53 million loss on the sale of one wholly-owned hotel (see Note 5) as well as a $4 million impairment of fixed assets that are being retired in connection with a significant renovation of a wholly-owned hotel, and a $2 million impairment on one hotel whose carrying value exceeded its fair value. These charges were partially offset by a gain of $14 million from insurance proceeds received for a claim at a wholly-owned hotel that suffered damage from a storm in 2008, a $5 million gain as a result of an acquisition of a controlling interest in a joint venture in which we previously held a non-controlling interest (see Note 4) and a $4 million gain from the sale of non-hotel assets.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2009, we recorded a net loss on dispositions of approximately $91 million, primarily related to $41 million of impairment charges on six hotels whose carrying values exceeded their fair values, a $22 million impairment of our retained interests in vacation ownership mortgage receivables, a $13 million impairment of an investment in a hotel management contract that has been cancelled, a $5 million impairment of certain technology-related fixed assets and a $4 million loss on the sale of a wholly-owned hotel.
 
                                 
            Increase/
  Percentage
    Year Ended
  Year Ended
  (Decrease)
  Change
    December 31,
  December 31,
  from Prior
  from Prior
    2010   2009   Year   Year
 
Income Tax (Benefit) Expense
  $ 27     $ (293 )   $ 320       n/m  
 
The $320 million increase in income tax expense primarily relates to 2009 items that did not recur in 2010, including a $120 million deferred tax benefit for an Italian tax incentive program in which the tax basis of land and building for the hotels we own in Italy was stepped up to fair value in exchange for paying a current tax of $9 million, a $51 million tax benefit related to previously unrecognized foreign tax credits for prior tax years and a $10 million benefit to reverse the deferred interest accrual associated with the deferral of taxable income. The remaining increase is primarily due to higher pretax income in 2010, partially offset by a benefit of $42 million related to an IRS audit.
 
Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax
 
During the year ended December 31, 2010, we recorded a gain of $134 million related to the final settlement with the IRS regarding the World Directories disposition and a gain of approximately $36 million related to the sale of one wholly-owned hotel. The tax benefit was related to the realization of a high tax basis in this hotel that was generated through a previous transaction.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2009, we sold our Bliss spa business and other non-core assets for cash proceeds of $227 million. Revenues and expenses from the Bliss spa business, together with revenues and expenses from one hotel that was sold in 2010, were reported in discontinued operations resulting in a loss of $2 million, net of tax. In addition, the net gain on the assets sold in 2009 and the one hotel held for sale at December 31, 2009 has been recorded in discontinued operations resulting in income of $76 million, net of tax.

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Year Ended December 31, 2009 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2008
 
Continuing Operations
 
                                 
                Increase/
    Percentage
 
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
    (Decrease)
    Change
 
    December 31,
    December 31,
    from Prior
    from Prior
 
    2009     2008     Year     Year  
 
Owned, Leased and Consolidated Joint Venture Hotels
  $ 1,584     $ 2,212     $ (628 )     (28.4 )%
Management Fees, Franchise Fees and Other Income
    658       751       (93 )     (12.4 )%
Vacation Ownership and Residential
    523       749       (226 )     (30.2 )%
Other Revenues from Managed and Franchise Properties
    1,931       2,042       (111 )     (5.4 )%
                                 
Total Revenues
  $ 4,696     $ 5,754     $ (1,058 )     (18.4 )%
                                 
 
The decrease in revenues from owned, leased and consolidated joint venture hotels was primarily due to the economic crisis in the United States and internationally. The decrease was also due to lost revenues from 15 wholly owned hotels sold or closed in 2009 and 2008. These sold or closed hotels had revenues of $68 million in the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to $248 million in the corresponding period of 2008. Revenues at our Same-Store Owned Hotels (53 hotels for the year ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, excluding the 15 hotels sold or closed and 10 additional hotels undergoing significant repositionings or without comparable results in 2009 and 2008) decreased 24.0%, or $437 million, to $1.386 billion for the year ended December 31, 2009 when compared to $1.823 billion in the same period of 2008 due primarily to a decrease in REVPAR.
 
REVPAR at our Same-Store Owned Hotels decreased 24.6% to $128.95 for the year ended December 31, 2009 when compared to the corresponding 2008 period. The decrease in REVPAR at these Same-Store Owned Hotels resulted from a 17.1% decrease in ADR to $199.22 for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to $240.23 for the corresponding 2008 period and a decrease in occupancy rates to 64.7% in the year ended December 31, 2009 when compared to 71.2% in the same period in 2008. REVPAR at Same-Store Owned Hotels in North America decreased 24.4% for the year ended December 31, 2009 when compared to the same period of 2008. REVPAR declined in substantially all of our major domestic markets. REVPAR at our international Same-Store Owned Hotels decreased by 25.0% for the year ended December 31, 2009 when compared to the same period of 2008. REVPAR declined in most of our major international markets. REVPAR for Same-Store Owned Hotels internationally decreased 20.3% excluding the unfavorable effects of foreign currency translation.
 
The decrease in management fees, franchise fees and other income was primarily a result of an $87 million decrease in management and franchise revenue to $630 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to $717 million in the corresponding period in 2008. The decrease was due to the significant decline in base and incentive management fees as a result of the global economic crisis, partially offset by fees from the net addition of 40 managed and franchised hotels to our system and approximately $15 million in termination fees recognized in 2009 when compared to $4 million in 2008.
 
The decrease in vacation ownership and residential sales and services was primarily due to lower originated contract sales of VOI inventory, which represents vacation ownership revenues before adjustments for percentage of completion accounting and other deferrals, partially offset by gains of $23 million relating to securitizations. Originated contract sales of VOI inventory decreased 39% for the year ended December 31, 2009 when compared to the same period in 2008. This decline was primarily driven by lower tour flow which was down 19.2% for the year ended December 31, 2009 when compared to the same period in 2008. The decline in tour flow was a result of the economic climate and resulting closure of underperforming sales centers. Additionally, the average contract amount per vacation ownership unit sold decreased 21.4% to approximately $16,000, driven by a higher sales mix of lower-priced inventory, including a higher percentage of lower-priced biennial inventory. The decrease is also due to a $43 million decrease in residential revenue, as the 2008 period included license fees in connection with two St. Regis projects.


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Other revenues from managed and franchised properties decreased primarily due to a decrease in costs, commensurate with the decline in revenues, at our managed and franchised hotels. These revenues represent reimbursements of costs incurred on behalf of managed hotel and vacation ownership properties and franchisees and relate primarily to payroll costs at managed properties where we are the employer. Since the reimbursements are made based upon the costs incurred with no added margin, these revenues and corresponding expenses have no effect on our operating income and our net income.
 
                                 
            Increase/
  Percentage
    Year Ended
  Year Ended
  (Decrease)
  Change
    December 31,
  December 31,
  from Prior
  from Prior
    2009   2008   Year   Year
 
Selling, General, Administrative and Other
  $ 314     $ 377     $ (63 )     (16.7 )%
 
The decrease in selling, general, administrative and other expenses was primarily a result of our focus on reducing our cost structure in the current economic climate. Beginning in the middle of 2008, we began an activity value analysis project to review our cost structure across a majority of our corporate departments and divisional headquarters. (See Note 14 for a summary of charges associated with this initiative.) A majority of the cost containment initiatives were completed and implemented in late 2008 and early 2009 and are now being realized. Costs and expenses related to our former Bliss spa business were reclassified to discontinued operations for both periods presented as a result of its sale at the end of 2009.
 
                                         
            Increase/
  Percentage
   
    Year Ended
  Year Ended
  (Decrease)
  Change
   
    December 31,
  December 31,
  from Prior
  from Prior
   
    2009   2008   Year   Year    
 
Restructuring, Goodwill Impairment and Other Special Charges, Net
  $ 379     $ 141     $ 238       n/m          
 
During the fourth quarter of 2009, we completed a comprehensive review of our vacation ownership business. We decided not to develop certain vacation ownership sites and future phases of certain existing projects. As a result of these decisions, we recorded a primarily non-cash impairment charge of $255 million in the restructuring, goodwill impairment and other special charges line item. Additionally, we recorded a $90 million non-cash charge for the impairment of goodwill in the vacation ownership reporting unit.
 
Additionally, throughout 2009, we recorded restructuring and other special charges of $34 million related to our ongoing initiative of rationalizing our cost structure. These charges related to severance charges and costs to close vacation ownership sales galleries.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2008, we recorded restructuring and other special charges of $141 million, including $62 million of severance and related charges associated with our ongoing initiative of rationalizing our cost structure in light of the current economic climate. We also recorded impairment charges of approximately $79 million primarily related to the decision not to develop two vacation ownership projects as a result of the economic climate and its impact on business conditions.
 
                                 
            Increase/
  Percentage
    Year Ended
  Year Ended
  (Decrease)
  Change
    December 31,
  December 31,
  from Prior
  from Prior
    2009   2008   Year   Year
 
Depreciation and Amortization
  $ 309     $ 313     $ (4 )     (1.3 )%
 
The decrease in depreciation expense was due to reduced depreciation expense from sold hotels offset by additional capital expenditures made in the last twelve months.
 
                                 
            Increase/
  Percentage
    Year Ended
  Year Ended
  (Decrease)
  Change
    December 31,
  December 31,
  from Prior
  from Prior
    2009   2008   Year   Year
 
Operating Income
  $ 26     $ 610     $ (584 )     n/m  
 
The decrease in operating income was primarily due to the decline in our core business units, hotels and vacation ownership, due to the severe impact from the global economic crisis as discussed above and the related impairments and restructuring charges previously discussed. Additionally, operating income was impacted by a


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$17 million charge, recorded in the vacation ownership costs and expenses line, related to a price reduction in vacation ownership intervals, following an in-depth review of the business. These decreases were partially offset by the reduction in selling, general, administrative and other costs as a result of our activity value analysis costs savings project and other cost savings initiatives and a favorable $14 million income item related to the expiration of the statute of limitations on an indirect tax exposure and a Brazilian water claim.
 
                                 
            Increase/
  Percentage
    Year Ended
  Year Ended
  (Decrease)
  Change
    December 31,
  December 31,
  from Prior
  from Prior
    2009   2008   Year   Year
 
Equity (Losses) Earnings and Gains and Losses from Unconsolidated Ventures, Net
  $ (4 )   $ 16     $ (20 )     n/m  
 
The decrease in equity earnings and gains and losses from unconsolidated joint ventures was primarily due to decreased operating results at several properties owned by joint ventures in which we hold non-controlling interests. The decrease also relates to a charge of approximately $4 million, in 2009, related to an unfavorable mark-to-market adjustment on a US dollar denominated loan in an unconsolidated venture in Mexico.
 
                                 
            Increase/
  Percentage
    Year Ended
  Year Ended
  (Decrease)
  Change
    December 31,
  December 31,
  from Prior
  from Prior
    2009   2008   Year   Year
 
Net Interest Expense
  $ 227     $ 207     $ 20       9.7 %
 
The increase in net interest expense was primarily due to higher interest rates in the year ended December 31, 2009 when compared to the same period of 2008 and early debt extinguishment costs of $21 million that were incurred in 2009. This was partially offset by a lower average debt balance in 2009 as compared to 2008. Our weighted average interest rate was 6.73% at December 31, 2009 as compared to 5.24% at December 31, 2008.
 
                                 
            Increase/
  Percentage
    Year Ended
  Year Ended
  (Decrease)
  Change
    December 31,
  December 31,
  from Prior
  from Prior
    2009   2008   Year   Year
 
Loss on Asset Dispositions and Impairments, Net
  $ (91 )   $ (98 )   $ (7 )     (7.1 )%
 
During 2009, we recorded a net loss on dispositions of approximately $91 million, primarily related to $41 million of impairment charges on six hotels whose carrying values exceeded their fair values, a $22 million impairment of our retained interests in vacation ownership mortgage receivables, a $13 million impairment of an investment in a hotel management contract that has been cancelled, a $5 million impairment of certain technology-related fixed assets and a $4 million loss on the sale of a wholly-owned hotel.
 
During 2008, we recorded a net loss of $98 million primarily related to $64 million of impairment charges on five hotels, a $22 million impairment of our investment in vacation ownership notes receivable that we have previously securitized, and an $11 million write-off of our investment in a joint venture in which we hold minority interest (see Note 5).
 
                                 
            Increase/
  Percentage
    Year Ended
  Year Ended
  (Decrease)
  Change
    December 31,
  December 31,
  from Prior
  from Prior
    2009   2008   Year   Year
 
Income Tax (Benefit) Expense
  $ (293 )   $ 72     $ (365 )     n/m  
 
The $365 million decrease in income tax expense primarily relates to a deferred tax benefit of $120 million (net) in 2009 for an Italian tax incentive program in which the tax basis of land and buildings for the hotels we own in Italy was stepped-up to fair value in exchange for paying a current tax of $9 million. The remaining decrease primarily relates to tax benefits of $67 million associated with impairments, restructuring and asset sales and $37 million related to a foreign tax credit election change. Additionally, a benefit of $10 million was recognized to reverse the deferred interest accrual associated with the deferral of taxable income. The remaining decrease is primarily due to lower pretax income.


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Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax
 
During 2009, we sold our Bliss spa business and other non-core assets for cash proceeds of $227 million. Revenues and expenses from the Bliss spa business, together with revenues and expenses from two hotels which were sold in 2010, were reported in discontinued operations resulting in a loss of $2 million, net of tax. In addition, the net gain on the assets sold in 2009 and the one hotel held for sale at December 31, 2009 has been recorded in discontinued operations resulting in income of $76 million, net of tax.
 
For the year ended December 31, 2008, the gain on dispositions includes a $124 million gain ($129 million pretax) on the sale of three properties which were sold unencumbered by management or franchise contracts. The tax impact on this transaction was minimized due to the utilization of capital loss carryforwards. Additionally, in 2009, $5 million was reclassified to discontinued operations (in the 2008 results) relating to one hotel that was in the process of being sold at the end of 2009. Discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2008 also includes a $49 million tax charge as a result of a 2008 administrative tax ruling for an unrelated taxpayer, that impacts the tax liability associated with the disposition of one of our businesses several years ago.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
Cash From Operating Activities
 
Cash flow from operating activities is generated primarily from management and franchise revenues, operating income from our owned hotels and sales of VOIs and residential units. Other sources of cash are distributions from joint ventures, servicing financial assets and interest income. These are the principal sources of cash used to fund our operating expenses, interest payments on debt, capital expenditures, dividend payments and property and income taxes. We believe that our existing borrowing availability together with capacity for additional borrowings and cash from operations will be adequate to meet all funding requirements for our operating expenses, principal and interest payments on debt, capital expenditures, dividends and any share repurchase program we may initiate in the foreseeable future.
 
The majority of our cash flow is derived from corporate and leisure travelers and is dependent on the supply and demand in the lodging industry. In a recessionary economy, we experience significant declines in business and leisure travel. The impact of declining demand in the industry and higher hotel supply in key markets could have a material impact on our sources of cash.
 
Our day-to-day operations are financed through net working capital, a practice that is common in our industry. The ratio of our current assets to current liabilities was 1.07 and 0.74 as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Consistent with industry practice, we sweep the majority of the cash at our owned hotels on a daily basis and fund payables as needed by drawing down on our existing revolving credit facility.
 
State and local regulations governing sales of VOIs and residential properties allow the purchaser of such a VOI or property to rescind the sale subsequent to its completion for a pre-specified number of days. In addition, cash payments received from buyers of units under construction are held in escrow during the period prior to obtaining a certificate of occupancy. These payments and the deposits collected from sales during the rescission period are the primary components of our restricted cash balances in our consolidated balance sheets. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, we had short-term restricted cash balances of $53 million and $47 million, respectively.
 
During 2010, we completed a series of disposition, financing and other transactions that resulted in proceeds of approximately $650 million as outlined below:
 
  •  We securitized vacation ownership receivables resulting in proceeds of approximately $180 million.
 
  •  We sold assets that resulted in cash proceeds of approximately $150 million.
 
  •  We received a tax refund from the IRS of $245 million (see Note 15).
 
  •  We received proceeds of $75 million as a result of the favorable settlement of a lawsuit.


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Cash From Investing Activities
 
Gross capital spending during the full year ended December 31, 2010 was as follows (in millions):
 
         
Maintenance Capital Expenditures(1):
       
Owned, Leased and Consolidated Joint Venture Hotels
  $ 106  
Corporate and information technology
    42  
         
Subtotal
    148  
         
Vacation Ownership and Residential Capital Expenditures(2):
       
Net capital expenditures for inventory (excluding St. Regis Bal Harbour)
    (34 )
Capital expenditures for inventory — St. Regis Bal Harbour
    146  
         
Subtotal
    112  
Development Capital
    117  
         
Total Capital Expenditures
  $ 377  
         
 
 
(1) Maintenance capital expenditures include improvements, renewals and extraordinary repairs that extend the useful life of the asset.
 
(2) Represents gross inventory capital expenditures of $168 less cost of sales of $56.
 
Gross capital spending during the year ended December 31, 2010 included approximately $148 million of maintenance capital, and $117 million of development capital. Investment spending on gross vacation ownership interest and residential inventory was $168 million, primarily in Bal Harbour, Florida. Our capital expenditure program includes both offensive and defensive capital. Defensive spending is related to maintenance and renovations that we believe are necessary to stay competitive in the markets we are in. Other than capital to address fire and life safety issues, we consider defensive capital to be discretionary, although reductions to this capital program could result in decreases to our cash flow from operations, as hotels in certain markets could become less desirable. The offensive capital expenditures, which are primarily related to new projects that we expect will generate a return, are also considered discretionary. We currently anticipate that our defensive capital expenditures for the full year 2011 (excluding vacation ownership and residential inventory) will be approximately $300 million for maintenance, renovations, and technology capital. In addition, for the full year 2011, we currently expect to spend approximately $150 million for investment projects.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2010, we made a $23 million investment into an unconsolidated joint venture. Our partner in the joint venture contributed an equal amount and the funds were used to pay off a third-party mortgage. Our interest in this unconsolidated joint venture was subsequently sold, and we received cash proceeds of approximately $42 million. Additionally, we will continue to manage the hotel, formerly owned by the joint venture, under a long-term management contract.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2010, we paid approximately $23 million to acquire a controlling interest in a joint venture in which we had previously held a non-controlling interest (see Note 4).
 
In order to secure management or franchise agreements, we have made loans to third-party owners, made minority investments in joint ventures and provided certain guarantees and indemnifications. See Note 26 of the consolidated financial statements for discussion regarding the amount of loans we have outstanding with owners, unfunded loan commitments, equity and other potential contributions, surety bonds outstanding, performance guarantees and indemnifications we are obligated under, and investments in hotels and joint ventures.
 
We intend to finance the acquisition of additional hotel properties (including equity investments), construction of the St. Regis Bal Harbour, hotel renovations, VOI and residential construction, capital improvements, technology spend and other core and ancillary business acquisitions and investments and provide for general corporate purposes (including dividend payments and share repurchases) through our credit facilities described below, through the net proceeds from dispositions, through the assumption of debt, and from cash generated from operations.


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We periodically review our business to identify properties or other assets that we believe either are non-core (including hotels where the return on invested capital is not adequate), no longer complement our business, are in markets which may not benefit us as much as other markets during an economic recovery or could be sold at significant premiums. We are focused on enhancing real estate returns and monetizing investments.
 
Since 2006, we have sold 62 hotels realizing proceeds of approximately $5.3 billion in numerous transactions (see Note 5 of the consolidated financial statements). There can be no assurance, however, that we will be able to complete future dispositions on commercially reasonable terms or at all.
 
The 2010 asset sales resulted in gross cash proceeds from investing activities of approximately $150 million and are discussed in our general liquidity discussion under cash used for financing activities.
 
Cash Used for Financing Activities
 
The following is a summary of our debt portfolio (including capital leases) as of December 31, 2010:
 
                         
    Amount
             
    Outstanding at
    Interest Rate at
       
    December 31,
    December 31,
    Average
 
    2010(a)     2010     Maturity  
    (Dollars in millions)           (In years)  
 
Floating Rate Debt
                       
Revolving Credit Facilities
  $             2.8  
Mortgages and Other
    41       5.99 %     2.3  
Interest Rate Swaps
    500       4.83 %        
                         
Total/Average
  $ 541       4.92 %     2.3  
                         
Fixed Rate Debt
                       
Senior Notes
  $ 2,698       7.26 %     4.1  
Mortgages and Other
    118       7.56 %     7.2  
Interest Rate Swaps
    (500 )     7.06 %        
                         
Total/Average
  $ 2,316       7.31 %     4.2  
                         
Total Debt
                       
Total Debt and Average Terms
  $ 2,857       6.86 %     4.2  
                         
 
 
(a) Excludes approximately $434 million of our share of unconsolidated joint venture debt and securitized vacation ownership debt of $494 million, all of which is non-recourse.
 
For specifics related to our financing transactions, issuances, and terms entered into for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, see Note 16 of the consolidated financial statements. We have evaluated the commitments of each of the lenders in our Revolving Credit Facilities (the “Facilities”). In addition, we have reviewed our debt covenants and do not anticipate any issues regarding the availability of funds under the Facilities.
 
On April 20, 2010, we executed a new $1.5 billion Senior Credit Facility (“New Facility”). The New Facility matures on November 15, 2013 and replaces the former $1.875 billion Revolving Credit Agreement, which would have matured on February 11, 2011.
 
Due to the adoption of ASU Nos.  2009-16 and 2009-17, as discussed in Notes 2, 10, and 11, our 2010 cash flows from financing activities include the borrowings and repayments of securitized vacation ownership debt.
 
During 2010, as previously described in Cash from Operating Activities, we completed a series of disposition, financing and other transactions that resulted in proceeds of approximately $650 million. As a result of these transactions and cash flow from operations, net debt was reduced to $2.060 billion compared to net debt of $2.819 billion as of December 31, 2009. Our gross debt at December 31, 2010 was $2.857 billion, excluding debt associated with securitized vacation ownership notes receivable. Additionally, we had cash and cash equivalents of $797 million (including $44 million of restricted cash) at December 31, 2010. As discussed earlier, we adopted


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ASU Nos. 2009-16 and 2009-17 on January 1, 2010 and, as a result, at December 31, 2010 we had $494 million of non-recourse debt and $19 million of restricted cash associated with securitized vacation ownership receivables. Including this debt and restricted cash associated with securitized vacation ownership receivables, our net debt was $2.535 billion at December 31, 2010.
 
Our Facilities are used to fund general corporate cash needs. As of December 31, 2010, we have availability of over $1.4 billion under the Facilities. We have reviewed the financial covenants associated with our Facilities, the most restrictive being the leverage ratio. As of December 31, 2010, we were in compliance with this covenant and expect to remain in compliance through the end of 2011. We have the ability to manage the business in order to reduce our leverage ratio by reducing operating costs, selling, general and administrative costs and postponing discretionary capital expenditures. However, there can be no assurance that we will stay below the required leverage ratio if the current economic climate deteriorates.
 
Based upon the current level of operations, management believes that our cash flow from operations and asset sales, together with our significant cash balances (approximately $816 million at December 31, 2010, including $63 million of short-term and long-term restricted cash), available borrowings under the Facilities and other bank credit facilities (approximately $1.4 billion at December 31, 2010), and capacity for additional borrowings will be adequate to meet anticipated requirements for scheduled maturities, dividends, working capital, capital expenditures, marketing and advertising program expenditures, other discretionary investments, interest and scheduled principal payments and share repurchases for the foreseeable future. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to refinance our indebtedness as it becomes due and, if refinanced, on favorable terms. In addition, there can be no assurance that in our continuing business we will generate cash flow at or above historical levels, that currently anticipated results will be achieved or that we will be able to complete dispositions on commercially reasonable terms or at all.
 
If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations in the future to service our debt, we may be required to sell additional assets at lower than preferred amounts, reduce capital expenditures, refinance all or a portion of our existing debt or obtain additional financing at unfavorable rates. Our ability to make scheduled principal payments, to pay interest on or to refinance our indebtedness depends on our future performance and financial results, which, to a certain extent, are subject to general conditions in or affecting the hotel and vacation ownership industries and to general economic, political, financial, competitive, legislative and regulatory factors beyond our control.
 
We had the following contractual obligations (1) outstanding as of December 31, 2010 (in millions):
 
                                         
          Due in Less
    Due in
    Due in
    Due After
 
    Total     Than 1 Year     1-3 Years     3-5 Years     5 Years  
 
Debt(2)
  $ 2,855     $ 9     $ 1,210     $ 951     $ 685  
Interest payable
    890       208       322       204       156  
Capital lease obligations(3)
    2                         2  
Operating lease obligations(4)
    1,345       96       161       149       939  
Unconditional purchase obligations(5)
    225       69       124       28       4  
Other long-term obligations
    3       2       1              
                                         
Total contractual obligations
  $ 5,320     $ 384     $ 1,818     $ 1,332     $ 1,786  
                                         
 
 
(1) The table below excludes unrecognized tax benefits that would require cash outlays for $341 million, the timing of which is uncertain. Refer to Note 15 of the consolidated financial statements for additional discussion on this matter. In addition, the table excludes amounts related to the construction of our St. Regis Bal Harbour project that has a total project cost of $750 million, of which $532 million has been paid through December 31, 2010.
 
(2) Excludes securitized debt of $494 million, all of which is non-recourse.
 
(3) Excludes sublease income of $2 million.
 
(4) Excludes sublease income of $13 million.
 
(5) Included in these balances are commitments that may be reimbursed or satisfied by our managed and franchised properties.


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We had the following commercial commitments outstanding as of December 31, 2010 (in millions):
 
                                         
        Less Than
          After
    Total   1 Year   1-3 Years   3-5 Years   5 Years
 
Standby letters of credit
  $ 159     $ 144     $ 12     $     $ 3  
 
A dividend of $0.30 per share was paid in December 2010 to shareholders of record as of December 16, 2010.
 
A dividend of $0.20 per share was paid in January 2010 to shareholders of record as of December 31, 2009.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
Our off-balance sheet arrangements include letters of credit of $159 million, unconditional purchase obligations of $225 million and surety bonds of $23 million. These items are more fully discussed earlier in this section and in the Notes to Financial Statements and Item 8 of Part II of this report.
 
Item 7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
 
In limited instances, we seek to reduce earnings and cash flow volatility associated with changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates by entering into financial arrangements intended to provide a hedge against a portion of the risks associated with such volatility. We continue to have exposure to such risks to the extent they are not hedged.
 
We enter into a derivative financial arrangement to the extent it meets the objectives described above, and we do not engage in such transactions for trading or speculative purposes.
 
At December 31, 2010, we were party to the following derivative instruments:
 
  •  Forward contracts to hedge forecasted transactions for management and franchise fee revenues earned in foreign currencies. The aggregate dollar equivalent of the notional amounts was approximately $37 million, and they expire in 2011.
 
  •  Forward foreign exchange contracts to manage the foreign currency exposure related to certain intercompany loans not deemed to be permanently invested. The aggregate dollar equivalent of the notional amounts of the forward contracts was approximately $759 million and they expire in 2011.


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The following table sets forth the scheduled maturities and the total fair value of our debt portfolio and other financial instruments as of December 31, 2010 (in millions, excluding average exchange rates):
 
                                                                 
                                Total Fair
    Expected Maturity or Transaction Date
      Total at
  Value at
    At December 31,       December 31,
  December 31,
    2011   2012   2013   2014   2015   Thereafter   2010   2010
 
Liabilities
                                                               
Fixed rate
  $ 8     $ 415     $ 306     $ 444     $ 456     $ 687     $ 2,316     $ 2,588  
Average interest rate
                                                    7.31 %        
Floating rate
  $ 1     $ 238     $ 251     $ 50     $ 1     $     $ 541     $ 541  
Average interest rate
                                                    4.92 %        
Forward Foreign Exchange Hedge Contracts:
                                                               
Fixed (EUR) to Fixed (USD)
  $ 31     $     $     $     $     $     $     $  
Average Exchange rate
                                                    1.33          
Fixed (JPY) to Fixed (USD)
  $ 6     $     $     $     $     $     $     $  
Average Exchange rate
                                                    .01          
Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts:
                                                               
Fixed (EUR) to Fixed (USD)
  $ 110     $     $     $     $     $     $ 1     $ 1  
Average Exchange rate
                                                    1.33          
Fixed (CLP) to Fixed (USD)
  $ 52     $     $     $     $     $     $ (1 )   $ (1 )
Average Exchange rate
                                                    .00          
Fixed (THB) to Fixed (USD)
  $ 13     $     $     $     $     $     $     $  
Average Exchange rate
                                                    .03          
Fixed (JPY) to Fixed (USD)
  $ 60     $     $     $     $     $     $ (1 )   $ (1 )
Average Exchange rate
                                                    .01          
Fixed (CAD) to Fixed (USD)
  $ 358     $     $     $     $     $     $ (5 )   $ (5 )
Average Exchange rate
                                                    1.00          
Fixed (AUD) to Fixed (USD)
  $ 29     $     $     $     $     $     $ (1 )   $ (1 )
Average Exchange rate
                                                    .99          
Fixed (AUD) to Fixed (EUR)
  $ 63     $     $     $     $     $     $ (1 )   $ (1 )
Fixed (GBP) to Fixed (EUR)
  $ 56     $     $     $     $     $     $ (1 )   $ (1 )
Fixed (JPY) to Fixed (THB)
  $ 18     $     $     $     $     $     $     $  


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Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
 
The financial statements and supplementary data required by this Item are included in Item 15 of this Annual Report and are incorporated herein by reference.
 
Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
 
Not applicable.
 
Item 9A.   Controls and Procedures.
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13(a)-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)). Based upon the foregoing evaluation, our principal executive and principal financial officers concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective and operating to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to provide reasonable assurance that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13(a)-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
Management of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and its subsidiaries is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) or 15(d)-15(f). Those rules define internal control over financial reporting as a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and includes those policies and procedures that:
 
  •  Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;
 
  •  Provide reasonable assurance that the transactions are recorded as necessary to permit the preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and the receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and
 
  •  Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
The Company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010. In making this assessment, the Company’s management used the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on our assessment and those criteria, management believes that, as of December 31, 2010, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective.
 
Management has engaged Ernst & Young LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, to attest to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Its report is included herein.


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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
 
We have audited Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.’s (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on the COSO criteria.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2010 and 2009; and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010 of the Company and our report dated February 17, 2011, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
 
/s/  Ernst & Young LLP
 
New York, New York
February 17, 2011


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Changes in Internal Controls
 
There has not been any change in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2010 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, those controls.
 
Item 9B.   Other Information.
 
Not applicable.
 
PART III
 
Item 10.   Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
 
Information regarding directors, executive officers and corporate governance is incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 5, 2011 (the “Proxy Statement”), which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no more than 120 days after the close of our fiscal year.
 
Item 11.   Executive Compensation.
 
Information regarding executive compensation is incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no more than 120 days after the close of our fiscal year.
 
Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
 
Information regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management and related stockholder matters is incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no more than 120 days after the close of our fiscal year.
 
Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence.
 
Information regarding certain relationships and related transactions and director independence is incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no more than 120 days after the close of our fiscal year.
 
Item 14.   Principal Accounting Fees and Services.
 
Information regarding principal accounting fees and services is incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no more than 120 days after the close of our fiscal year.
 
Item 15.   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
 
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report:
 
  1-2.  The financial statements and financial statement schedule listed in the Index to Financial Statements and Schedule following the signature pages hereof.
 
3. Exhibits:


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Exhibit
   
Number   Description of Exhibit
 
  2 .1   Formation Agreement, dated as of November 11, 1994, among the Company, Starwood Capital and the Starwood Partners (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 16, 1994). (The SEC file number of all filings made by the Company pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and referenced herein is 1-7959).
  2 .2   Form of Amendment No. 1 to Formation Agreement, dated as of July 1995, among the Company and the Starwood Partners (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-2 filed with the SEC on June 29, 1995 (Registration Nos. 33-59155 and 33-59155-01)).
  2 .3   Master Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 14, 2005, among Host Marriott Corporation, Host Marriott, L.P., Horizon Supernova Merger Sub, L.L.C., Horizon SLT Merger Sub, L.P., Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Sheraton Holding Corporation and SLT Realty Limited Partnership (the “Merger Agreement”) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 14, 2005).
  2 .4   Amendment Agreement, dated as of March 24, 2006, to the Merger Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Joint Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 29, 2006).
  3 .1   Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Company, as of May 30, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Company’s 2007 Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement).
  3 .2   Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended and restated through April 10, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 13, 2006 (the “April 13 Form 8-K”).
  3 .3   Amendment to Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, dated as of March 13, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 18, 2008).
  4 .1   Termination Agreement dated as of April 7, 2006 between the Company and the Trust (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the April 13 Form 8-K).
  4 .2   Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated as of April 7, 2006, between the Company and American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, as Rights Agent (which includes the form of Amended and Restated Articles Supplementary of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock as Exhibit A, the form of Rights Certificate as Exhibit B and the Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Stock as Exhibit C) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the April 13 Form 8-K).
  4 .3   Amended and Restated Indenture, dated as of November 15, 1995, as Amended and Restated as of December 15, 1995 between ITT Corporation (formerly known as ITT Destinations, Inc.) and the First National Bank of Chicago, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.A.IV to the First Amendment to ITT Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed with the SEC on November 13, 1996).
  4 .4   First Indenture Supplement, dated as of December 31, 1998, among ITT Corporation, the Company and The Bank of New York (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 8, 1999).
  4 .5   Second Indenture Supplement, dated as of April 9, 2006, among the Company, Sheraton Holding Corporation and Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the April 13 Form 8-K).
  4 .6   Indenture, dated as of April 19, 2002, among the Company, the guarantor parties named therein and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s and Sheraton Holding Corporation’s Joint Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC on November 19, 2002).
  4 .7   Indenture, dated as of September 13, 2007, between the Company and the U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 17, 2007 (the “September 17 Form 8-K”)).
  4 .8   Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 13, 2007, between the Company and the U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the September 17 Form 8-K).


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Exhibit
   
Number   Description of Exhibit
 
  4 .9   Supplemental Indenture No. 2, dated as of May 23, 2008, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 28, 2008).
  4 .10   Supplemental Indenture No. 3, dated as of May 7, 2009, between the Company and the U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 12, 2009).
  4 .11   Supplemental Indenture No. 4, dated as of November 20, 2009, between the Company and the U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 23, 2009).
        The registrant hereby agrees to file with the Commission a copy of any instrument, including indentures, defining the rights of long-term debt holders of the registrant and its consolidated subsidiaries upon the request of the Commission.
  10 .1   Third Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement for Operating Partnership, dated January 6, 1999, among the Company and the limited partners of Operating Partnership (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K405 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998).
  10 .2   Form of Trademark License Agreement, dated as of December 10, 1997, between Starwood Capital and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997).
  10 .3   Credit Agreement, dated as of April 20, 2010, among the Company, certain additional Dollar Revolving Loan Borrowers, certain additional Alternate Currency Revolving Loan Borrowers, various Lenders, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as Administrative Agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Syndication Agent, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Banc of America Securities LLC, as Lead Arrangers and Book Running Managers, (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 22, 2010).
  10 .4   Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. 1999 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (the “1999 LTIP”) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1999).*
  10 .5   First Amendment to the 1999 LTIP, dated as of August 1, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2001).*
  10 .6   Second Amendment to the 1999 LTIP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the 2003 10-Q1). *
  10 .7   Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement pursuant to the 1999 LTIP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the 2004 Form 10-K).*
  10 .8   Form of Restricted Stock Agreement pursuant to the 1999 LTIP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to the 2004 Form 10-K).*
  10 .9   Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. 2002 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2002 LTIP”) (incorporated by reference to Annex B of the Company’s 2002 Proxy Statement).*
  10 .10   First Amendment to the 2002 LTIP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the 2003 10-Q1).*
  10 .11   Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement pursuant to the 2002 LTIP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.49 to the 2002 Form 10-K filed on February 28, 2003 (the “2002 10-K”)).*
  10 .12   Form of Restricted Stock Agreement pursuant to the 2002 LTIP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to the 2004 Form 10-K).*
  10 .13   2004 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, amended and restated as of December 31, 2008 (“2004 LTIP”) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 6, 2009 (the “January 2009 8-K”)).*
  10 .14   Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement pursuant to the 2004 LTIP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the 2004 Form 10-Q2).*
  10 .15   Form of Restricted Stock Agreement pursuant to the 2004 LTIP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to the 2004 Form 10-K).*

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Table of Contents

         
Exhibit
   
Number   Description of Exhibit
 
  10 .16   Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement pursuant to the 2004 LTIP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 13, 2006 (the February 2006 Form 8-K”)).*
  10 .17   Form of Restricted Stock Agreement pursuant to the 2004 LTIP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the February 2006 Form 8-K).*
  10 .18   Form of Amended and Restated Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement pursuant to the 2004 LTIP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2006 (the 2006 Form 10-Q2”)).*
  10 .19   Form of Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Agreement pursuant to the 2004 LTIP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the 2006 Form 10-Q2).*
  10 .20   Annual Incentive Plan for Certain Executives, amended and restated as of December 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the January 2009 8-K).*
  10 .21   Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan, effective as of January 22, 2008 (incorporate by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007).*
  10 .22   Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and each of its Directors and executive officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 25, 2009).*
  10 .23   Employment Agreement, dated as of November 13, 2003, between the Company and Vasant Prabhu (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.68 to the 2003 10-K).*
  10 .24   Letter Agreement, dated August 14, 2007, between the Company and Vasant Prabhu (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 17, 2007 (the “August 17 Form 8-K”)).*
  10 .25   Amendment, dated as of December 30, 2008, to employment agreement between the Company and Vasant Prabhu (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 (the “2008 Form 10-K”).*
  10 .26   Employment Agreement, dated as of November 13, 2003, between the Company and Kenneth Siegel (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.57 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000 (the “2000 Form 10-K”)).*
  10 .27   Letter Agreement, dated July 22, 2004 between the Company and Kenneth Siegel (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.73 to the 2004 Form 10-K).*
  10 .28   Letter Agreement, dated August 14, 2007, between the Company and Kenneth S. Siegel (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the August 17 Form 8-K).*
  10 .29   Amendment, dated as of December 30, 2008, to employment agreement between the Company and Kenneth S. Siegel (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43 to the 2008 Form 10-K).*
  10 .30   Employment Agreement, dated as of August 2, 2007, between the Company and Bruce W. Duncan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2007).*
  10 .31   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement between the Company and Bruce W. Duncan pursuant to the 2004 LTIP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2007).*
  10 .32   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of December 30, 2008, between the Company and Frits van Paasschen (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.52 to the 2008 Form 10-K).*
  10 .33   Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement between the Company and Frits van Paasschen pursuant to the 2004 LTIP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2007 (the “2007 Form 10-Q3”)).*
  10 .34   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement between the Company and Frits van Paasschen pursuant to the 2004 LTIP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the 2007 Form 10-Q3).*
  10 .35   Form of Restricted Stock Grant between the Company and Frits van Paasschen pursuant to the 2004 LTIP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the 2007 Form 10-Q3). *

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Table of Contents

         
Exhibit
   
Number   Description of Exhibit
 
  10 .57   Form of Severance Agreement between the Company and each of Messrs. Siegel and Prabhu (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.57 to the 2008 Form 10-K).*
  12 .1   Calculation of Ratio of Earnings to Total Fixed Charges.+
  21 .1   List of our Subsidiaries.+
  23 .1   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.+
  31 .1   Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 — Chief Executive Officer.+
  31 .2   Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 — Chief Financial Officer.+
  32 .1   Certification Pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code — Chief Executive Officer.+
  32 .2   Certification Pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code — Chief Financial Officer.+
 
 
+ Filed herewith.
 
* Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
  By: 
/s/  FRITS VAN PAASSCHEN
Frits van Paasschen
Chief Executive Officer and Director
 
Date: February 17, 2011
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature   Title   Date
 
         
/s/  Frits van Paasschen

Frits van Paasschen
  Chief Executive Officer and Director   February 17, 2011
         
/s/  Bruce W. Duncan

Bruce W. Duncan
  Chairman and Director   February 17, 2011
         
/s/  Vasant M. Prabhu

Vasant M. Prabhu
  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)   February 17, 2011
         
/s/  Alan M. Schnaid

Alan M. Schnaid
  Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller and Principal Accounting Officer   February 17, 2011
         
/s/  Adam M. Aron

Adam M. Aron
  Director   February 17, 2011
         
/s/  Charlene Barshefsky

Charlene Barshefsky
  Director   February 17, 2011
         
/s/  Thomas E. Clarke

Thomas E. Clarke
  Director   February 17, 2011
         
/s/  Clayton C. Daley, Jr.

Clayton C. Daley, Jr.
  Director   February 17, 2011
         
/s/  Lizanne Galbreath

Lizanne Galbreath
  Director   February 17, 2011
         
/s/  Eric Hippeau

Eric Hippeau
  Director   February 17, 2011


47


Table of Contents

             
Signature   Title   Date
 
         
/s/  Stephen R. Quazzo

Stephen R. Quazzo
  Director   February 17, 2011
         
/s/  Thomas O. Ryder

Thomas O. Ryder
  Director   February 17, 2011
         
/s/  Kneeland C. Youngblood

Kneeland C. Youngblood
  Director   February 17, 2011


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Table of Contents

STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULE
 
         
    Page
 
    F-2  
    F-3  
    F-4  
    F-5  
    F-6  
    F-7  
    F-8  
Schedule:
       
    S-1  


F-1


Table of Contents

 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company at December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
 
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2009-16, Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets (formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 166), and ASU No. 2009-17, Consolidations (Topic 810): Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities (formerly SFAS No. 167) on January 1, 2010. The Company adopted SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — an amendment of ARB No. 51 (codified in FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 810, Consolidations) on January 1, 2009.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 17, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
 
/s/  Ernst & Young LLP
 
New York, New York
February 17, 2011


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Table of Contents

STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
    (In millions, except share data)  
 
ASSETS
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 753     $ 87  
Restricted cash
    53       47  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $45 and $54
    513       445  
Inventories
    802       783  
Securitized vacation ownership notes receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $10 and $0
    59        
Prepaid expenses and other
    126       127  
                 
Total current assets
    2,306       1,489  
Investments
    312       368  
Plant, property and equipment, net
    3,323       3,350  
Assets held for sale
          71  
Goodwill and intangible assets, net
    2,067       2,063  
Deferred tax assets
    979       982  
Other assets
    381       438  
Securitized vacation ownership notes receivable, net
    408        
                 
    $ 9,776     $ 8,761  
                 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
               
Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt
  $ 9     $ 5  
Accounts payable
    138       139  
Current maturities of long-term securitized vacation ownership debt
    127        
Accrued expenses
    1,104       1,212  
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits
    410       303  
Accrued taxes and other
    373       368  
                 
Total current liabilities
    2,161       2,027  
Long-term debt
    2,848       2,955  
Long-term securitized vacation ownership debt
    367        
Deferred income taxes
    28       31  
Other liabilities
    1,886       1,903  
                 
      7,290       6,916  
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Common stock; $0.01 par value; authorized 1,000,000,000 shares; outstanding 192,970,437 and 186,785,068 shares at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively
    2       2  
Additional paid-in capital
    805       552  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (283 )     (283 )
Retained earnings
    1,947       1,553  
                 
Total Starwood stockholders’ equity
    2,471       1,824  
Noncontrolling interest
    15       21  
                 
Total equity
    2,486       1,845  
                 
    $ 9,776     $ 8,761  
                 
 
The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of the above statements.


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Table of Contents

STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions, except per share data)  
 
Revenues
                       
Owned, leased and consolidated joint venture hotels
  $ 1,704     $ 1,584     $ 2,212  
Vacation ownership and residential sales and services
    538       523       749  
Management fees, franchise fees and other income
    712       658       751  
Other revenues from managed and franchised properties
    2,117       1,931       2,042  
                         
      5,071       4,696       5,754  
Costs and Expenses
                       
Owned, leased and consolidated joint venture hotels
    1,395       1,315       1,688  
Vacation ownership and residential
    405       422       583  
Selling, general, administrative and other
    344       314       377  
Restructuring, goodwill impairment and other special charges (credits), net
    (75 )     379       141  
Depreciation
    252       274       281  
Amortization
    33       35       32  
Other expenses from managed and franchised properties
    2,117       1,931       2,042  
                         
      4,471       4,670       5,144  
Operating income
    600       26       610  
Equity earnings (losses) and gains and losses from unconsolidated ventures, net
    10       (4 )     16  
Interest expense, net of interest income of $2, $3 and $3
    (236 )     (227 )     (207 )
Gain (loss) on asset dispositions and impairments, net
    (39 )     (91 )     (98 )
                         
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes and noncontrolling interests
    335       (296 )     321  
Income tax benefit (expense)
    (27 )     293       (72 )
                         
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    308       (3 )     249  
Discontinued operations:
                       
Income (loss) from operations, net of tax (benefit) expense of $0, $(2) and $4
    (1 )     (2 )     5  
Gain (loss) on dispositions, net of tax (benefit) expense of $(166), $(35) and $54
    168       76       75  
                         
Net income
    475       71       329  
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
    2       2        
                         
Net income attributable to Starwood
  $ 477     $ 73     $ 329  
                         
Earnings (Losses) Per Share — Basic
                       
Continuing operations
  $ 1.70     $ 0.00     $ 1.37  
Discontinued operations
    0.91       0.41       0.44  
                         
Net income
  $ 2.61     $ 0.41     $ 1.81  
                         
Earnings (Losses) Per Share — Diluted
                       
Continuing operations
  $ 1.63     $ 0.00     $ 1.34  
Discontinued operations
    0.88       0.41       0.43  
                         
Net income
  $ 2.51     $ 0.41     $ 1.77  
                         
Amounts attributable to Starwood’s Common Shareholders
                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ 310     $ (1 )   $ 249  
Discontinued operations
    167       74       80  
                         
Net income
  $ 477     $ 73     $ 329  
                         
Weighted average number of shares
    183       180       181  
                         
Weighted average number of shares assuming dilution
    190       180       185  
                         
Dividends declared per share
  $ 0.30     $ 0.20     $ 0.90  
                         
 
The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of the above statements.


F-4


Table of Contents

STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Net income
  $ 475     $ 71     $ 329  
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
                       
Foreign currency translation adjustments
    4       86       (190 )
Less: Recognition of accumulated foreign currency translation adjustments on sold hotels
          (13 )      
Defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans net gains (losses) arising during the year
    (4 )     10       (61 )
Net curtailment and settlement gains
          23       1  
Amortization of actuarial gains and losses included in net periodic pension cost
    1       5       2  
Change in fair value of derivatives
    (1 )           4  
Reclassification adjustments for losses (gains) included in net income
    1       (6 )     2  
Change in fair value of investments
    (1 )     3       (1 )
Reclassification for gains and amortization included in net income
                (1 )
                         
            108       (244 )
Comprehensive income
    475       179       85  
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
    2       2        
Foreign currency translation adjustments attributable to noncontrolling interests
    (1 )     1        
                         
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Starwood
  $ 476     $ 182     $ 85  
                         
 
The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of the above statements.


F-5


Table of Contents

STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
 
                                                         
    Equity Attributable to Starwood Stockholders              
                      Accumulated
                   
                      Other
          Equity
       
                Additional
    Comprehensive
          Attributable to
       
    Shares     Paid-in
    (Loss)
    Retained
    Noncontrolling
       
    Shares     Amount     Capital(1)     Income(2)     Earnings     Interests     Total  
    (In millions)  
 
Balance at December 31, 2007
    191     $ 2     $ 868     $ (147 )   $ 1,353     $ 26     $ 2,102  
Net income (loss)
                            329             329  
Stock option and restricted stock award transactions, net
    6             212                         212  
ESPP stock issuances
                6                         6  
Share repurchases
    (14 )           (593 )                       (593 )
Other
                                  (2 )     (2 )
Other comprehensive income (loss)
                      (244 )                 (244 )
Dividends declared
                            (165 )     (1 )     (166 )
                                                         
Balance at December 31, 2008
    183       2       493       (391 )     1,517       23       1,644  
Net income (loss)
                            73       (2 )     71  
Stock option and restricted stock award transactions, net
    4             54                         54  
ESPP stock issuances
                5                         5  
Other comprehensive income (loss)
                      108             1       109  
Dividends declared
                            (37 )     (1 )     (38 )
                                                         
Balance at December 31, 2009
    187       2       552       (283 )     1,553       21       1,845  
Net income (loss)
                            477       (2 )     475  
Stock option and restricted stock award transactions, net
    6             248                         248  
ESPP stock issuances
                5                         5  
Impact of adoption of ASU No. 2009-17
                            (26 )           (26 )
Other comprehensive income (loss)
                                  (1 )     (1 )
Dividends declared
                            (57 )     (3 )     (60 )
                                                         
Balance at December 31, 2010
    193     $ 2     $ 805     $ (283 )   $ 1,947     $ 15     $ 2,486  
                                                         
 
 
(1) Stock option and restricted stock award transactions are net of a tax (expense) benefit of $28 million, ($18) million and $33 million in 2010, 2009, and 2008 respectively.
 
(2) As of December 31, 2010, this balance is comprised of $227 million of cumulative translation adjustments and $56 million of cumulative pension adjustments.
 
The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of the above statements.


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Table of Contents

STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
    (In millions)  
 
Operating Activities
                       
Net income
  $ 475     $ 71     $ 329  
Adjustments to net income:
                       
Discontinued operations:
                       
(Gain) loss on dispositions, net
    (168 )     (76 )     (75 )
Depreciation and amortization
          8       10  
Other adjustments relating to discontinued operations
                 
Stock-based compensation expense
    72       53       68  
Excess stock-based compensation tax benefit (expense)
    (20 )           (16 )
Depreciation and amortization
    285       309       313  
Amortization of deferred loan costs
    13       10       5  
Non-cash portion of restructuring, goodwill impairment and other special charges (credits), net
    (7 )     332       74  
Non-cash foreign currency (gains) losses, net
    (39 )     (6 )     (5 )
Amortization of deferred gains
    (81 )     (82 )     (83 )
Provision for doubtful accounts
    55       72       64  
Distributions in excess (deficit) of equity earnings
    3       30       21  
Gain on sale of VOI notes receivable
          (24 )     (4 )
Loss (gain) on asset dispositions and impairments, net
    39       91       98  
Non-cash portion of income tax expense (benefit)
    16       (260 )     24  
Changes in working capital:
                       
Restricted cash
    9       46       102  
Accounts receivable
    (22 )     63       34  
Inventories
    (110 )     (98 )     (280 )
Prepaid expenses and other
    1       10       2  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    13       (44 )     85  
Accrued income taxes
    200       (50 )     (22 )
Securitized VOI notes receivable activity, net
    (29 )            
VOI notes receivable activity, net
    1       167       (150 )
Other, net
    58       (51 )     52  
                         
Cash (used for) from operating activities
    764       571       646  
                         
Investing Activities
                       
Purchases of plant, property and equipment
    (227 )     (196 )     (476 )
Proceeds from asset sales, net
    148       310       320  
Issuance of notes receivable
    (1 )     (4 )     (1 )
Collection of notes receivable, net
    2       2       5  
Acquisitions, net of acquired cash
    (18 )            
Purchases of investments
    (32 )     (5 )     (38 )
Proceeds from investments
    49       35       39  
Other, net
    8       (26 )     (21 )
                         
Cash (used for) from investing activities
    (71 )     116       (172 )
                         
Financing Activities
                       
Revolving credit facility and short-term borrowings (repayments), net
    (114 )     (102 )     (570 )
Long-term debt issued
    3       726       986  
Long-term debt repaid
    (9 )     (1,681 )     (4 )
Long-term securitized debt issued
    280              
Long-term securitized debt repaid
    (224 )            
Dividends paid
    (93 )     (165 )     (172 )
Proceeds from stock option exercises
    141       2       120  
Excess stock-based compensation tax benefit (expense)
    20             16  
Share repurchases
                (593 )
Other, net
    (30 )     227       (26 )
                         
Cash (used for) from financing activities
    (26 )     (993 )     (243 )
                         
Exchange rate effect on cash and cash equivalents
    (1 )     4       7  
                         
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    666       (302 )     238  
Cash and cash equivalents — beginning of period
    87       389       151  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents — end of period
  $ 753     $ 87     $ 389  
                         
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information
                       
Cash paid (received) during the period for:
                       
Interest
  $ 244     $ 214     $ 170  
                         
Income taxes, net of refunds
  $ (171 )   $ 12     $ 58  
                         
 
The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of the above statements.


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Table of Contents

STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
 
Note 1.   Basis of Presentation
 
The accompanying consolidated financial statements represent the consolidated financial position and consolidated results of operations of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”). Starwood is one of the world’s largest hotel and leisure companies. The Company’s principal business is hotels and leisure, which is comprised of a worldwide hospitality network of almost 1,000 full-service hotels, vacation ownership resorts and residential developments primarily serving two markets: luxury and upscale. The principal operations of Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc. (“SVO”) include the acquisition, development and operation of vacation ownership resorts; marketing and selling vacation ownership interests (“VOIs”) in the resorts; and providing financing to customers who purchase such interests.
 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its controlled subsidiaries and partnerships. In consolidating, all material intercompany transactions are eliminated. We have evaluated all subsequent events through the date the consolidated financial statements were filed.
 
Note 2.   Significant Accounting Policies
 
Principles of Consolidation.  The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries include the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of majority-owned subsidiaries over which the Company exercises control. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents.  The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
 
Restricted Cash.  Restricted cash primarily consists of deposits received on sales of VOIs and residential properties that are held in escrow until a certificate of occupancy is obtained, the legal rescission period has expired and the deed of trust has been recorded in governmental property ownership records. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company had short-term restricted cash balances of $53 million and $47 million, respectively.
 
Inventories.  Inventories are comprised principally of VOIs of $307 million and $434 million as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, residential inventory of $462 million and $315 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and hotel inventory. VOI and residential inventory is carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value and includes $29 million, $31 million and $25 million of capitalized interest incurred in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Hotel inventory includes operating supplies and food and beverage inventory items which are generally valued at the lower of FIFO cost (first-in, first-out) or market. Hotel inventory also includes linens, china, glass, silver, uniforms, utensils and guest room items. Significant purchases of these items with a useful life of greater than one year are recorded at purchased cost and amortized over their useful life. Normal replacement purchases are expensed as incurred.
 
Loan Loss Reserves.  For the vacation ownership and residential segment, the Company records an estimate of expected uncollectibility on its VOI notes receivable as a reduction of revenue at the time it recognizes a timeshare sale. The Company holds large amounts of homogeneous VOI notes receivable and therefore assesses uncollectibility based on pools of receivables. In estimating loan loss reserves, the Company uses a technique referred to as static pool analysis, which tracks defaults for each year’s mortgage originations over the life of the respective notes and projects an estimated default rate. As of December 31, 2010, the average estimated default rate for the Company’s pools of receivables was 10%.
 
The primary credit quality indicator used by the Company to calculate the loan loss reserve for the vacation ownership notes is the origination of the notes by brand (Sheraton, Westin, and Other) as the Company believes there is a relationship between the default behavior of borrowers and the brand associated with the vacation ownership property they have acquired. In addition to quantitatively calculating the loan loss reserve based on its static pool analysis, the Company supplements the process by evaluating certain qualitative data, including the


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Table of Contents

STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
aging of the respective receivables, current default trends by brand and origination year, and the Fair Isaac Corporation (“FICO”) scores of the buyers.
 
Given the significance of the Company’s respective pools of VOI notes receivable, a change in the projected default rate can have a significant impact to its loan loss reserve requirements, with a 0.1% change estimated to have an impact of approximately $3 million.
 
The Company considers a VOI note receivable delinquent when it is more than 30 days outstanding. All delinquent loans are placed on nonaccrual status and the Company does not resume interest accrual until payment is made. Upon reaching 120 days outstanding, the loan is considered to be in default and the Company commences the repossession process. Uncollectible VOI notes receivable are charged off when title to the unit is returned to the Company. The Company generally does not modify vacation ownership notes that become delinquent or upon default.
 
For the hotel segment, the Company measures the impairment of a loan based on the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate, or the estimated fair value of the collateral. For impaired loans, the Company establishes a specific impairment reserve for the difference between the recorded investment in the loan and the present value of the expected future cash flows or the estimated fair value of the collateral. The Company applies the loan impairment policy individually to all loans in the portfolio and does not aggregate loans for the purpose of applying such policy. For loans that the Company has determined to be impaired, the Company recognizes interest income on a cash basis.
 
Assets Held for Sale.  The Company considers properties to be assets held for sale when management approves and commits to a formal plan to actively market a property or group of properties for sale and a signed sales contract and significant non-refundable deposit or contract break-up fee exist. Upon designation as an asset held for sale, the Company records the carrying value of each property or group of properties at the lower of its carrying value which includes allocable segment goodwill or its estimated fair value, less estimated costs to sell, and the Company stops recording depreciation expense. Any gain realized in connection with the sale of a property for which the Company has significant continuing involvement (such as through a long-term management agreement) is deferred and recognized over the initial term of the related agreement (See Note 13). The operations of the properties held for sale prior to the sale date, if material, are recorded in discontinued operations unless the Company will have continuing involvement (such as through a management or franchise agreement) after the sale.
 
Investments.  Investments in joint ventures are generally accounted for under the equity method of accounting when the Company has a 20% to 50% ownership interest or exercises significant influence over the venture. If the Company’s interest exceeds 50% or, if the Company has the power to direct the economic activities of the entity and the obligation to absorb losses, the results of the joint venture are consolidated herein. All other investments are generally accounted for under the cost method.
 
The fair market value of investments is based on the market prices for the last day of the period if the investment trades on quoted exchanges. For non-traded investments, fair value is estimated based on the underlying value of the investment, which is dependent on the performance of the investment as well as the volatility inherent in external markets for these types of investments. In assessing potential impairment for these investments, the Company will consider these factors as well as forecasted financial performance of its investment. If these forecasts are not met, the Company may have to record impairment charges.
 
Plant, Property and Equipment.  Plant, property and equipment, including capitalized interest of $2 million, $2 million and $6 million incurred in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, applicable to major project expenditures are recorded at cost. The cost of improvements that extend the life of plant, property and equipment are capitalized. These capitalized costs may include structural improvements, equipment and fixtures. Costs for normal repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is recorded on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful economic lives of 15 to 40 years for buildings and improvements; 3 to 10 years for furniture, fixtures and equipment; 3 to 20 years for information technology software and equipment; and the lesser of the lease term or the


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Table of Contents

STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
economic useful life for leasehold improvements. Gains or losses on the sale or retirement of assets are included in income when the assets are sold provided there is reasonable assurance of the collectability of the sales price and any future activities to be performed by the Company relating to the assets sold are insignificant.
 
The Company evaluates the carrying value of its assets for impairment. For assets in use when the trigger events specified in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 360, Property Plant, and Equipment occur, the expected undiscounted future cash flows of the assets are compared to the net book value of the assets. If the expected undiscounted future cash flows are less than the net book value of the assets, the excess of the net book value over the estimated fair value is charged to current earnings. Fair value is based upon discounted cash flows of the assets at rates deemed reasonable for the type of asset and prevailing market conditions, comparative sales for similar assets, appraisals and, if appropriate, current estimated net sales proceeds from pending offers.
 
Goodwill and Intangible Assets.  Goodwill and intangible assets arise in connection with acquisitions, including the acquisition of management contracts. The Company does not amortize goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their respective useful lives. The Company reviews all goodwill and intangible assets for impairment by comparisons of fair value to book value annually, or upon the occurrence of a trigger event. Impairment charges, if any, are recognized in operating results.
 
Frequent Guest Program.  Starwood Preferred Guest® (“SPG”) is the Company’s frequent guest incentive marketing program. SPG members earn points based on spending at the Company’s owned, managed and franchised hotels, as incentives to first-time buyers of VOIs and residences, and through participation in affiliated partners’ programs such as co-branded credit cards. Points can be redeemed at substantially all of the Company’s owned, leased, managed and franchised hotels as well as through other redemption opportunities with third parties, such as conversion to airline miles.
 
The Company charges its owned, managed and franchised hotels the cost of operating the SPG program, including the estimated cost of its future redemption obligation, based on a percentage of its SPG members qualified expenditures. The Company’s management and franchise agreements require that the Company be reimbursed for the costs of operating the SPG program, including marketing, promotions and communications, and performing member services for the SPG members. As points are earned, the Company increases the SPG point liability for the amount of cash it receives from its managed and franchised hotels related to the future redemption obligation. For its owned hotels the Company records an expense for the amount of its future redemption obligation with the offset to the SPG point liability. When points are redeemed by the SPG members, the hotels recognize revenue and the SPG point liability is reduced.
 
The Company, through the services of third-party actuarial analysts, determines the value of the future redemption obligation based on statistical formulas which project the timing of future point redemptions based on historical experience, including an estimate of the “breakage” for points that will never be redeemed, and an estimate of the points that will eventually be redeemed as well as the cost of reimbursing hotels and other third-parties in respect of other redemption opportunities for point redemptions.
 
The Company consolidates the assets and liabilities of the SPG program including the liability associated with the future redemption obligation which is included in other long-term liabilities and accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The total actuarially determined liability (see Note 18), as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, is $753 million and $689 million, respectively, of which $225 million and $244 million, respectively, is included in accrued expenses.
 
Legal Contingencies.  The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims, the outcomes of which are subject to significant uncertainty. ASC 450, Contingencies requires that an estimated loss from a loss contingency be accrued with a corresponding charge to income if it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Disclosure of a contingency is required if there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss has been incurred. The Company evaluates, among


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Table of Contents

STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
other factors, the degree of probability of an unfavorable outcome and the ability to make a reasonable estimate of the amount of loss. Changes in these factors could materially impact the Company’s financial position or its results of operations.
 
Derivative Financial Instruments.  The Company periodically enters into interest rate swap agreements, based on market conditions, to manage interest rate exposure. The net settlements paid or received under these agreements are accrued consistent with the terms of the agreements and are recognized in interest expense over the term of the related debt.
 
The Company enters into foreign currency hedging contracts to manage exposure to foreign currency fluctuations. All foreign currency hedging instruments have an inverse correlation to the hedged assets or liabilities. Changes in the fair value of the derivative instruments are classified in the same manner as the classification of the changes in the underlying assets or liabilities due to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. These forward contracts do not qualify as hedges.
 
The Company periodically enters into forward contracts to manage foreign exchange risk based on market conditions. The Company enters into forward contracts to hedge fluctuations in forecasted transactions based on foreign currencies that are billed in United States dollars. These forward contracts have been designated as cash flow hedges, and their change in fair value is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income. As a forecasted transaction occurs, the gain or loss is reclassified from other comprehensive income to management fees, franchise fees and other income.
 
The Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes and monitors the financial stability and credit standing of its counterparties.
 
Foreign Currency Translation.  Balance sheet accounts are translated at the exchange rates in effect at each period end and income and expense accounts are translated at the average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. The national currencies of foreign operations are generally the functional currencies. Gains and losses from foreign exchange and the effect of exchange rate changes on intercompany transactions of a long-term investment nature are generally included in other comprehensive income. Gains and losses from foreign exchange rate changes related to intercompany receivables and payables that are not of a long-term investment nature are reported currently in costs and expenses and amounted to a net gain of $39 million in 2010, a net gain of $6 million in 2009 and a net gain of $5 million in 2008.
 
Income Taxes.  The Company provides for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes.  The objectives of accounting for income taxes are to recognize the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in an entity’s financial statements or tax returns.
 
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in earnings in the period when the new rate is enacted.
 
Stock-Based Compensation.  The Company calculates the fair value of share-based awards on the date of grant. Restricted stock awards are valued based on the share price. The Company has determined that a lattice valuation model would provide a better estimate of the fair value of options granted under its long-term incentive plans than a Black-Scholes model. The lattice valuation option pricing model requires the Company to estimate key assumptions such as expected life, volatility, risk-free interest rates and dividend yield to determine the fair value of share-based awards, based on both historical information and management judgment regarding market factors and trends. The Company amortizes the share-based compensation expense over the period that the awards are expected to vest, net of estimated forfeitures. If the actual forfeitures differ from management estimates, additional adjustments to compensation expense are recorded. Please refer to Note 23, Stock-Based Compensation.


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Table of Contents

STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Revenue Recognition.  The Company’s revenues are primarily derived from the following sources: (1) hotel and resort revenues at the Company’s owned, leased and consolidated joint venture properties; (2) vacation ownership and residential revenues; (3) management and franchise revenues; (4) revenues from managed and franchised properties; and (5) other revenues which are ancillary to the Company’s operations. Generally, revenues are recognized when the services have been rendered. Taxes collected from customers and submitted to taxing authorities are not recorded in revenue. The following is a description of the composition of revenues for the Company:
 
  •  Owned, Leased and Consolidated Joint Ventures — Represents revenue primarily derived from hotel operations, including the rental of rooms and food and beverage sales, from owned, leased or consolidated joint venture hotels and resorts. Revenue is recognized when rooms are occupied and services have been rendered.
 
  •  Vacation Ownership and Residential — The Company recognizes sales when the buyer has demonstrated a sufficient level of initial and continuing investment, the period of cancellation with refund has expired and receivables are deemed collectible. For sales that do not qualify for full revenue recognition as the project has progressed beyond the preliminary stages but has not yet reached completion, all revenue and profit are initially deferred and recognized in earnings through the percentage-of-completion method. The Company has also entered into licensing agreements with third-party developers to offer consumers branded condominiums or residences. The fees from these arrangements are generally based on the gross sales revenue of the units sold. Residential fee revenue is recorded in the period that a purchase and sales agreement exists, delivery of services and obligations has occurred, the fee to the owner is deemed fixed and determinable and collectability of the fees is reasonably assured.
 
  •  Management and Franchise Revenues — Represents fees earned on hotels managed worldwide, usually under long-term contracts, franchise fees received in connection with the franchise of the Company’s Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, Le Méridien, St. Regis, W, Luxury Collection, Aloft and Element brand names, termination fees and the amortization of deferred gains related to sold properties for which the Company has significant continuing involvement. Management fees are comprised of a base fee, which is generally based on a percentage of gross revenues, and an incentive fee, which is generally based on the property’s profitability. Base fee revenues are recognized when earned in accordance with the terms of the contract. For any time during the year, when the provisions of the management contracts allow receipt of incentive fees upon termination, incentive fees are recognized for the fees due and earned as if the contract was terminated at that date, exclusive of any termination fees due or payable. Franchise fees are generally based on a percentage of hotel room revenues and are recognized as the fees are earned and become due from the franchisee.
 
  •  Revenues from Managed and Franchised Properties — These revenues represent reimbursements of costs incurred on behalf of managed hotel properties and franchisees. These costs relate primarily to payroll costs at managed properties where the Company is the employer. Since the reimbursements are made based upon the costs incurred with no added margin, these revenues and corresponding expenses have no effect on the Company’s operating income or net income.
 
Insurance Retention.  Through its captive insurance company, the Company provides insurance coverage for workers’ compensation, property and general liability claims arising at hotel properties owned or managed by the Company through policies written directly and through reinsurance arrangements. Estimated insurance claims payable represent expected settlement of outstanding claims and a provision for claims that have been incurred but not reported. These estimates are based on the Company’s assessment of potential liability using an analysis of available information including pending claims, historical experience and current cost trends. The amount of the ultimate liability may vary from these estimates. Estimated costs of these self-insurance programs are accrued, based on the analysis of third-party actuaries.


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Table of Contents

STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Costs Incurred to Sell VOIs.  The Company capitalizes direct costs attributable to the sale of VOIs until the sales are recognized. Selling and marketing costs capitalized under this methodology were approximately $3 million as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and all such capitalized costs are included in prepaid expenses and other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Costs eligible for capitalization follow the guidelines of ASC 978, Real Estate — Time Sharing Activities. If a contract is cancelled, the Company charges the unrecoverable direct selling and marketing costs to expense and records forfeited deposits as income.
 
VOI and Residential Inventory Costs.  Real estate and development costs are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Development costs include both hard and soft construction costs and together with real estate costs are allocated to VOIs and residential units on the relative sales value method. Interest, property taxes and certain other carrying costs incurred during the construction process are capitalized as incurred. Such costs associated with completed VOI and residential units are expensed as incurred.
 
Advertising Costs.  The Company enters into multi-media ad campaigns, including television, radio, internet and print advertisements. Costs associated with these campaigns, including communication and production costs, are aggregated and expensed the first time that the advertising takes place. If it becomes apparent that the media campaign will not take place, all costs are expensed at that time. During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, the Company incurred approximately $132 million, $118 million and $146 million of advertising expense, respectively, a significant portion of which was reimbursed by managed and franchised hotels.
 
Retained Interests.  The Company periodically sells notes receivable originated by its vacation ownership business in connection with the sale of VOIs. The Company, prior to the adoption of ASU 2009-17, would retain interests in the assets transferred to qualified and non-qualified special purpose entities (“Retained Interests”), which were accounted for as over-collateralizations and interest only strips. These retained interests were treated as “available-for-sale” transactions under the provisions of ASC 320 Investments — Debt and Equity Securities. The Company reported changes in the fair values of these Retained Interests considered temporary through the accompanying consolidated statement of comprehensive income. A change in fair value determined to be other-than-temporary was recorded as a loss in the Company’s consolidated statement of income. The Company had Retained Interests of $25 million at December 31, 2009. Additionally, as of December 31, 2009, the Company had $56 million of notes retained after the 2009 note sales.
 
Use of Estimates.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
Reclassifications.  Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years’ financial statements to conform to the current year presentation
 
Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards.
 
Adopted Accounting Standards
 
In July 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2010-20, “Receivables (Topic 310): Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses.” This topic requires disclosures of financing receivables and allowance for credit losses on a disaggregated basis. The balance sheet related disclosures are required beginning at December 31, 2010 and the statements of income disclosures are required, beginning for the three months ended March 31, 2011 (see Note 11).
 
In June 2009, the FASB issued ASU No. 2009-16, “Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets” (formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 166), and


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STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
ASU No. 2009-17, “Consolidations (Topic 810): Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities” (formerly SFAS No. 167).
 
ASU No. 2009-16 amended the accounting for transfers of financial assets. Under ASU No. 2009-16, the qualifying special purpose entities (“QSPEs”) used in the Company’s securitization transactions are no longer exempt from consolidation. ASU No. 2009-17 prescribes an ongoing assessment of the Company’s involvement in the activities of the QSPEs and the Company’s rights or obligations to receive benefits or absorb losses of the trusts that could be potentially significant in order to determine whether those variable interest entities (“VIEs”) will be required to be consolidated in the Company’s financial statements. In accordance with ASU No. 2009-17, the Company concluded it is the primary beneficiary of the QSPEs and accordingly, the Company began consolidating the QSPEs on January 1, 2010 (see Note 10). Using the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities of the QSPEs as prescribed by ASU No. 2009-17 and any corresponding elimination of activity between the QSPEs and the Company resulting from the consolidation on January 1, 2010, the Company recorded a $417 million increase in total assets, a $444 million increase in total liabilities, a $26 million (net of tax) decrease in beginning retained earnings and a $1 million decrease to stockholders equity. The Company has additional VIEs whereby the Company was determined not to be the primary beneficiary (see Note 26).
 
Beginning January 1, 2010, the Company’s balance sheet and statement of income no longer reflect activity related to its Retained Interests, but instead reflects activity related to its securitized vacation ownership notes receivable and the corresponding securitized debt, including interest income, loan loss provisions, and interest expense. Interest income and loan loss provisions associated with the securitized vacation ownership notes receivable are included in the vacation ownership and residential sales and services line item resulting in an increase of $52 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009. Interest expense of $27 million was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2010. The cash flows from borrowings and repayments associated with the securitized vacation ownership debt are now presented as cash flows from financing activities. The Company does not expect to recognize gains or losses from future securitizations as a result of the adoption of this new guidance.
 
The Company’s statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2009 and its balance sheet as of December 31, 2009 have not been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the adoption of ASU Nos. 2009-16 and 2009-17. Therefore, current period results and balances will not be comparable to prior period amounts, particularly with regards to:
 
  •  Restricted cash
 
  •  Other assets
 
  •  Investments
 
  •  Vacation ownership and residential sales and services
 
  •  Interest expense
 
In April 2009, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) Financial Accounting Standard (“FAS”) No. 107-1 and Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) No. 28-1 “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments” (“FSP FAS No. 107-1 and APB No 28-1”), included in the Codification as ASC 825-10-65-1. This topic requires disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments for annual and interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies and is effective in reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. On June 30, 2009, the Company adopted this topic, which did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
 
In January 2009, the FASB issued FSP Issue No. FAS No. 132(R)-1 “Employers Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets” (“FSP FAS No. 132(R)-1”), included in the Codification as ASC 715-20-65-2. This topic provides guidance on an employer’s disclosures about plan assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. This topic is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009. The


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STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Company adopted this topic on December 31, 2009 and incorporated it into its Employee Benefit Plan disclosure (see Note 20).
 
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities-an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133” (“SFAS No. 161”), included in the Codification as ASC 815-10-65-1. This topic requires enhanced disclosure related to derivatives and hedging activities. This topic must be applied prospectively to all derivative instruments and non-derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments and related hedged items for all financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company adopted this topic on January 1, 2009. See Note 24 for enhanced disclosures associated with the adoption.
 
Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157 related to its financial assets and liabilities and elected to defer the option of SFAS No. 157 for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities as allowed by FSP No. SFAS 157-2 “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157,” which was issued in February 2008, included in the Codification as ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. This topic defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principles and enhances disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The standard describes a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value as follows:
 
  •  Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
 
  •  Level 2 — Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
 
  •  Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
 
On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the provisions of this topic relating to non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities. The adoption of this statement did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
Future Adoption of Accounting Standards
 
In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-13 which supersedes certain guidance in ASC 605-25, Revenue Recognition — Multiple Element Arrangements. This topic requires an entity to allocate arrangement consideration at the inception of an arrangement to all of its deliverables based on their relative selling prices. This topic is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after June 15, 2010. The Company has evaluated this topic and determined that it will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
 
Note 3.   Earnings (Losses) per Share
 
Basic and diluted earnings (losses) per share are calculated using income (losses) from continuing operations attributable to Starwood’s common shareholders (i.e. excluding amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests).


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STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
The following is a reconciliation of basic earnings (losses) per share to diluted earnings (losses) per share for income (losses) from continuing operations (in millions, except per share data):
 
                                                                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
                Per
    Earnings
          Per
                Per
 
    Earnings     Shares     Share     (Losses)     Shares     Share     Earnings     Shares     Share  
 
Basic earnings (losses) from continuing operations
  $ 310       183     $ 1.70     $ (1 )     180     $ 0.00     $ 249       181     $ 1.37  
Effect of dilutive securities:
                                                                       
Employee options and restricted stock awards
          7                                         4          
                                                                         
Diluted earnings (losses) from continuing operations
  $ 310       190     $ 1.63     $ (1 )     180     $ 0.00     $ 249       185     $ 1.34  
                                                                         
 
Approximately 5 million shares, 12 million shares and 7 million shares were excluded from the computation of diluted shares in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, as their impact would have been anti-dilutive.
 
Note 4.   Significant Acquisitions
 
During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company paid approximately $23 million to acquire a controlling interest in a joint venture in which it had previously held a non-controlling interest. The primary business of the joint venture is to develop, license and manage restaurant concepts. The acquisition took place after one of the Company’s former partners exercised its right to put its interest to the Company in accordance with the terms of the joint venture agreement. In accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, when an acquirer obtains a controlling position as a result of a step acquisition, the acquirer is required to remeasure its previously held investment to fair value and record the difference between fair value and its carrying value in the statement of income. This acquisition resulted in a gain of approximately $5 million which was recorded in the gain (loss) on asset dispositions and impairments, net line item. The fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired were recorded in Starwood’s consolidated balance sheet, including the resulting goodwill of approximately $26 million. The results of operations going forward from the acquisition date have been included in Starwood’s consolidated statements of income.
 
Note 5.   Asset Dispositions and Impairments
 
During the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company sold one wholly-owned hotel each year for cash proceeds of $70 million and $0 million, respectively, and recognized losses of $53 million and $4 million, respectively. These hotels were sold subject to long-term management contracts.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company sold certain non-hotel assets and recorded a gain of $4 million. Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company received insurance proceeds related to an owned hotel that was damaged by a tornado, resulting in a gain of approximately $14 million. These gains were partially offset by impairment charges of $7 million related to a vacation ownership property, an investment in a hotel management contract, and the retirement of fixed assets as a result of a significant renovation of a wholly-owned hotel.
 
During the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company sold one wholly-owned hotel each year for $90 million, and $99 million, respectively. These hotels were sold subject to long-term management contracts and the Company recorded deferred gains of $8 million and $27 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively (see Note 13).
 
During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, the Company reviewed the recoverability of its carrying values of its owned hotels and determined that certain hotels were impaired. The fair values of the hotels were estimated by using discounted cash flows, comparative sales for similar assets and recent letters of intent to sell certain assets. Impairment charges of $2 million, $41 million and $64 million, relating to one, six, and three


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STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
hotels, were recorded in the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. These assets are reported in the hotels operating segment.
 
During 2009 and 2008, as a result of market conditions at the time and the impact on the timeshare industry, the Company reviewed the fair value of its economic interests in securitized VOI notes receivable and concluded these interests were impaired. The fair value of the Company’s investment in these retained interests was determined by estimating the net present value of the expected future cash flows, based on expected default and prepayment rates (See Note 10.) The Company recorded impairment charges of $22 million and $23 million in the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, related to these retained interests. These assets, prior to the adoption of ASU No. 2009-17, were reported in the vacation ownership and residential operating segment.
 
During the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 the Company recorded losses of $18 million and $11 million, respectively, primarily related to impairments of hotel management contracts, certain technology-related fixed assets and an investment in which the Company holds a minority interest.
 
Note 6.   Assets Held for Sale
 
During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company entered into purchase and sale agreements for the sale of one wholly owned hotel for total expected cash consideration of approximately $78 million. The Company classified this asset and the estimated goodwill to be allocated as assets held for sale, ceased depreciating it and reclassified the operating results to discontinued operations. The hotel was sold during the second quarter of 2010 (see Note 19).
 
Note 7.   Plant, Property and Equipment
 
Plant, property and equipment, excluding assets held for sale, consisted of the following (in millions):
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
 
Land and improvements
  $ 600     $ 597  
Buildings and improvements
    3,300       3,222  
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
    1,901       1,824  
Construction work in process
    170       180  
                 
      5,971       5,823  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (2,648 )     (2,473 )
                 
    $ 3,323     $ 3,350  
                 
 
The above balances include unamortized capitalized computer software costs of $132 million and $136 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009 respectively. Amortization of capitalized computer software costs was $36 million, $36 million and $24 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.


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Table of Contents

STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Note 8.   Goodwill and Intangible Assets
 
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the year ended December 31, 2010 are as follows (in millions):
 
                         
          Vacation
       
    Hotel
    Ownership
       
    Segment     Segment     Total  
 
Balance at January 1, 2009
  $ 1,324     $ 241     $ 1,565  
Cumulative translation adjustment
    7             7  
Impairment charge
          (90 )     (90 )
Other
    1             1  
                         
Balance at December 31, 2009
  $ 1,332     $ 151     $ 1,483  
                         
Balance at January 1, 2010
  $ 1,332     $ 151     $ 1,483  
Acquisitions
    26             26  
Cumulative translation adjustment
    (8 )           (8 )
Asset dispositions
    (10 )           (10 )
Other
    8             8  
                         
Balance at December 31, 2010
  $ 1,348     $ 151     $ 1,499  
                         
 
The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment test as of October 31, 2010 for its hotel and vacation ownership reporting units and determined that there was no impairment of its goodwill. The vacation ownership reporting unit’s fair value at October 31, 2010 exceeded its carrying value by approximately $237 million, or 30%. The fair value was calculated using a discounted cash flow model, in which the underlying cash flows were derived from management’s current financial projections. The two key assumptions used in the fair value calculation are the discount rate and the capitalization rate in the terminal period, which were 10% and 2%, respectively. The Company completed a sensitivity analysis on the fair value of the vacation ownership reporting unit to measure the change in value associated with independent changes in the two key assumptions. The decreases in the fair value that would result from various changes in the key assumptions are shown in the chart below (in millions). The factors may not move independently of each either.
 
                 
        Terminal Period
    Discount
  Capitalization
    Rate   Rate
 
50 basis points-dollars
  $ 51     $ 29  
50 basis points-percentage
    4.9 %     2.8 %
100 basis points-dollars
  $ 98     $ 55  
100 basis points-percentage
    9.5 %     5.3 %
 
The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment test as of October 31, 2009 for its hotel and vacation ownership reporting units and determined that the vacation ownership goodwill was impaired, resulting in a charge of $90 million ($90 million after-tax) to the restructuring, goodwill, impairment and other charges (credits) line item in the consolidated statements of income.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company completed a comprehensive review of its vacation ownership business (see Note 14). As a result of this review, the Company decided not to develop certain vacation ownership sites and future phases of certain existing projects. These actions reduced the future expected cash flows of the vacation ownership reporting unit which contributed to impairment of its goodwill.
 
In 2009, the Company’s hotel reporting unit’s fair value exceeded its carrying value. However, as discussed above, the fair value of the vacation ownership reporting unit was less than its carrying value, as such goodwill was


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STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
deemed to be impaired, and step two of goodwill impairment test was performed. This step resulted in an implied goodwill fair value of $151 million compared to an actual goodwill balance of $241 million, with the difference of $90 million representing the impairment charge. In determining fair values associated with the goodwill impairment steps, the Company primarily used the income and the market approaches. Under the income approach, fair value was determined based on the estimated future cash flows of the reporting units taking into account assumptions such as REVPAR, operating margins and sales pace of vacation ownership units and discounting these cash flows using a discount rate commensurate with the risk inherent in the calculations. Under the market approach, the fair value of the reporting units were determined based on market valuation techniques such as comparable revenue and EBITDA multiples of similar companies in the hospitality industry. The vacation ownership goodwill had not been previously impaired.
 
Intangible assets consisted of the following (in millions):
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
 
Trademarks and trade names
  $ 309     $ 309  
Management and franchise agreements
    377       376  
Other
    78       76  
                 
      764       761  
Accumulated amortization
    (196 )     (181 )
                 
    $ 568     $ 580  
                 
 
The intangible assets related to management and franchise agreements have finite lives, and accordingly, the Company recorded amortization expense of $33 million, $35 million, and $32 million, respectively, during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008. The other intangible assets noted above have indefinite lives.
 
Amortization expense relating to intangible assets with finite lives for each of the years ended December 31, is expected to be as follows (in millions):
 
         
2011
  $ 32  
2012
  $ 30  
2013
  $ 30  
2014
  $ 30  
2015
  $ 29  
 
Note 9.   Other Assets
 
Other assets include the following (in millions):
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
 
VOI notes receivable, net of allowance of $69 and $84
  $ 132     $ 222  
Prepaid taxes
    88       103  
Deposits and other
    161       113  
                 
Total
  $ 381     $ 438  
                 
 
See Note 11 for discussion relating to VOI notes receivable.


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Table of Contents

STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Note 10.   Transfers of Financial Assets
 
As discussed in Note 2, the Company adopted ASU 2009-16 and ASU 2009 -17 on January 1, 2010. As a result, the Company concluded it has variable interests in the entities associated with its five outstanding securitization transactions. As these securitizations consist of similar, homogenous loans they have been aggregated for disclosure purposes. The Company applied the variable interest model and determined it is the primary beneficiary of these VIEs. In making this determination, the Company evaluated the activities that significantly impact the economics of the VIEs, including the management of the securitized notes receivable and any related non-performing loans. The Company also evaluated its retention of the residual economic interests in the related VIEs. The Company is the servicer of the securitized mortgage receivables. The Company also has the option, subject to certain limitations, to repurchase or replace VOI notes receivable, that are in default, at their outstanding principal amounts. Such activity totaled $38 million during the year end December 31, 2010. The Company has been able to resell the VOIs underlying the VOI notes repurchased or replaced under these provisions without incurring significant losses.
 
The securitization agreements are without recourse to the Company, except for breaches of representations and warranties. Based on the right of the Company to fund defaults at its option, subject to certain limitations, it intends to do so until the debt is extinguished to maintain the credit rating of the underlying notes.
 
Upon transfer of vacation ownership notes receivable to the VIEs, the receivables and certain cash flows derived from them become restricted for use in meeting obligations to the VIE creditors. The VIEs utilize trusts which have ownership of cash balances that also have restrictions, the amounts of which are reported in restricted cash. The Company’s interests in trust assets are subordinate to the interests of third-party investors and, as such, may not be realized by the Company if needed to absorb deficiencies in cash flows that are allocated to the investors in the trusts’ debt (see Note 17). The Company is contractually obligated to receive the excess cash flows (spread between the collections on the notes and third party obligations defined in the securitization agreements) from the VIEs. Such activity totaled $43 million during the year ended December 31, 2010 and is classified in cash and cash equivalents when received.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company completed the securitization of approximately $300 million of vacation ownership notes receivable. The securitization transaction did not qualify as a sale for accounting purposes and, accordingly, no gain or loss was recognized. Approximately $93 million of proceeds from this transaction were used to terminate the securitization completed in June 2009 by repaying the outstanding principal and interest on the securitized debt. In connection with the termination, a charge of $5 million was recorded to interest expense, relating to the settlement of a balance guarantee interest rate swap and the write-off of deferred financing costs. The net cash proceeds from the securitization after termination of the 2009 securitization and associated deal costs were approximately $180 million.
 
See Note 11 for disclosures and amounts related to the securitized vacation ownership notes receivable consolidated on the Company’s balance sheets as of December 31, 2010.
 
Prior to the adoption of ASU 2009-16 and 2009-17, the Company completed securitizations of its VOI notes receivables, which qualified for sales treatment. Retained Interests cash flows are limited to the cash available from the related VOI notes receivable, after servicing and other related fees, absorbing 100% of any credit losses on the related VOI notes receivable and QSPE fixed rate interest expense. With respect to those transactions still outstanding at December 31, 2009, the Retained Interests are classified and accounted for as “available-for-sale” securities, reported at fair value with credit losses recorded in the statement of income and other unrealized gains and losses reported in stockholders’ equity.
 
The Company’s replacement of the defaulted VOI notes receivable under the securitization agreements with new VOI notes receivable resulted in net gains of approximately $3 million and $4 million during 2009 and 2008, respectively, which are included in vacation ownership and residential sales and services in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.


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STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
In June 2009, the Company securitized approximately $181 million of VOI notes receivable (the “2009-A Securitization”) resulting in cash proceeds of approximately $125 million. The Company retained $44 million of interests in the QSPE, which included $43 million of notes the Company effectively owned after the transfer and $1 million related to the interest only strip. The related loss on the 2009-A Securitization of $2 million is included in vacation ownership and residential sales and services in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.
 
Key assumptions used in measuring the fair value of the Retained Interests at the time of the 2009-A Securitization were as follows: an average discount rate of 12.8%, an average expected annual prepayment rate including defaults of 17.9%, and an expected weighted average remaining life of prepayable notes receivable of 52 months. These key assumptions are based on the Company’s historical experience.
 
In December 2009, the Company securitized approximately $200 million of VOI notes receivable (the “2009-B Securitization”) resulting in cash proceeds of approximately $166 million. The Company retained $31 million of interests in the QSPE, which included $22 million of notes the Company effectively owned after the transfer and $9 million related to the interest only strip. The related gain on the 2009-B Securitization of $19 million is included in vacation ownership and residential sales and services in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.
 
Key assumptions used in measuring the fair value of the Retained Interests at the time of the 2009-B Securitization were as follows: an average discount rate of 7.5%, an average expected annual prepayment rate including defaults of 24.4%, and an expected weighted average remaining life of prepayable notes receivable of 69 months. These key assumptions are based on the Company’s historical experience.
 
In December 2009, the Company entered into an amendment with the third-party beneficial interest owner regarding the notes issued in the 2009-A Securitization (the 2009-A Amendment). The amendment to the terms included a reduction of the coupon rate and an increase in the effective advance rate. As the increase in the advance rate produced additional cash proceeds of $9 million, this resulted effectively in additional loans sold to the QSPE from the original over collateralization. The discount rates used in measuring the fair value of the Retained Interests at the time of the 2009-A Amendment were 6.5% for the interest only strip and 12.8% for the remaining loans effectively not sold (unchanged from June 2009). The resulting retained interest was $6 million and resulting loans effectively owned were $33 million. The related gain on the 2009-A Amendment of $4 million is included in vacation ownership and residential sales and services in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.
 
Although the notes effectively owned after the transfers were measured at fair value on the transfer date, they required prospective accounting treatment as the notes receivable were carried at the basis established at the date of transfer and accreted interest over time to return to the historical cost basis. During 2009, the Company recorded a reserve of $4 million related to these loans. As of December 31, 2009, the value of the notes that the Company effectively owned from the 2009-A Securitization, the 2009-B Securitization and the 2009-A Amendment was approximately $56 million, which the Company classified as “Other assets” in its consolidated balance sheets.
 
The Company received aggregate cash proceeds of $21 million and $26 million from the Retained Interests during 2009 and 2008, respectively. The Company received aggregate servicing fees of $4 million and $3 million related to these VOI notes receivable during 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
At the time of each VOI notes receivable securitization and at the end of each financial reporting period, the Company estimates the fair value of its Retained Interests using a discounted cash flow model. All assumptions used in the models are reviewed and updated, if necessary, based on current trends and historical experience. The key assumptions used in measuring the fair value associated with its note securitizations as of December 31, 2009 was as follows: an average discount rate of 7.8%, an average expected annual prepayment rate including defaults of 15.8% and an expected weighted average remaining life of prepayable notes receivable of 86 months.
 
The fair value of the Company’s Retained Interest as of December 31, 2009 was $25 million with amortized cost basis of $22 million. Temporary differences in the fair value of the retained interests recorded in other


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STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
comprehensive income totaled a $3 million gain for the year ended December 31, 2009. Total other-than-temporary impairments related to credit losses recorded in loss on asset dispositions and impairments totaled $22 million and $23 million during 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
Note 11.   Notes Receivable
 
As discussed in Notes 2 and 10, beginning January 1, 2010, the Company was required to consolidate certain entities associated with securitization transactions completed in prior years.
 
Notes receivable (net of reserves) related to the Company’s vacation ownership loans consist of the following (in millions):
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
 
Vacation ownership loans-securitized
  $ 467     $  
Vacation ownership loans-unsecuritized
    152       242  
                 
      619       242  
Less: current portion
               
Vacation ownership loans-securitized
    (59 )      
Vacation ownership loans-unsecuritized
    (20 )     (20 )
                 
    $ 540     $ 222  
                 
 
The current and long-term maturities of unsecuritized VOI notes receivable are included in accounts receivable and other assets, respectively, in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
 
The Company records interest income associated with VOI notes in its vacation ownership and residential sale and services line item in its consolidated statements of income. Interest income related to the Company’s VOI notes receivable was as follows (in millions):
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
 
Vacation ownership loans-securitized
  $ 66     $     $  
Vacation ownership loans-unsecuritized
    21       48       57  
                         
    $ 87     $ 48     $ 57  
                         
 
The following tables present future maturities of gross VOI notes receivable and interest rates (in millions):
 
                         
    Securitized     Unsecuritized     Total  
 
2011
  $ 69     $ 30     $ 99  
2012
    72       21       93  
2013
    75       21       96  
2014
    75       20       95  
Thereafter
    258       139       397  
                         
Balance at December 31, 2010
  $ 549     $ 231     $ 780  
                         
Weighted Average Interest Rates
    12.71 %     12.07 %     12.49 %
                         
Range of interest rates
    6 to 18 %     5 to 18 %     5 to 18 %
                         


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STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
For the vacation ownership and residential segment, the Company records an estimate of expected uncollectibility on its VOI notes receivable as a reduction of revenue at the time it recognizes profit on a timeshare sale. The Company holds large amounts of homogeneous VOI notes receivable and therefore assesses uncollectibility based on pools of receivables. In estimating loss reserves, the Company uses a technique referred to as static pool analysis, which tracks uncollectible notes for each year’s sales over the life of the respective notes and projects an estimated default rate that is used in the determination of its loan loss reserve requirements. As of December 31, 2010, the average estimated default rate for the Company’s pools of receivables was 10.0%.
 
The activity and balances for the Company’s loan loss reserve are as follows (in millions):
 
                         
    Securitized     Unsecuritized     Total  
 
Balance at December 31, 2007
  $     $ 68     $ 68  
Provisions for loan losses
          73       73  
Write-offs
          (50 )     (50 )
Other
                 
                         
Balance at December 31, 2008
          91       91  
Provisions for loan losses
          64       64  
Write-Offs
          (61 )     (61 )
Other
                 
                         
Balance at December 31, 2009
          94       94  
Provisions for loan losses
    14       32       46  
Write-Offs
          (52 )     (52 )
Adoption of ASU No. 2009-17
    77       (4 )     73  
Other
    (9 )     9        
                         
Balance at December 31, 2010
  $ 82     $ 79     $ 161  
                         
 
The primary credit quality indicator used by the Company to calculate the loan loss reserve for the vacation ownership notes is the origination of the notes by brand (Sheraton, Westin, and Other) as the Company believes there is a relationship between the default behavior of borrowers and the brand associated with the vacation ownership property they have acquired. In addition to quantitatively calculating the loan loss reserve based on its static pool analysis, the Company supplements the process by evaluating certain qualitative data, including the aging of the respective receivables, current default trends by brand and origination year, and the FICO scores of the buyers.
 
Given the significance of the Company’s respective pools of VOI notes receivable, a change in the projected default rate can have a significant impact to its loan loss reserve requirements, with a 0.1% change estimated to have an impact of approximately $3 million.
 
The Company considers a VOI note receivable delinquent when it is more than 30 days outstanding. All delinquent loans are placed on nonaccrual status and the Company does not resume interest accrual until payment is made. Upon reaching 120 days outstanding, the loan is considered to be in default and the Company commences the repossession process. Uncollectible VOI notes receivable are charged off when title to the unit is returned to the Company. The Company generally does not modify vacation ownership notes that become delinquent or upon default.


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STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Past due balances of VOI notes receivable by credit quality indicators are as follows (in millions):
 
                                                 
    30-59 Days
    60-89 Days
    >90 Days
    Total Past
          Total
 
    Past Due     Past Due     Past Due     Due     Current     Receivables  
 
As of December 31, 2010:
                                               
Sheraton
  $ 6     $ 4     $ 30     $ 40     $ 314     $ 354  
Westin
    5       3       33       41       342       383  
Other
    1       1       4       6       37       43  
                                                 
    $ 12     $ 8     $ 67     $ 87     $ 693     $ 780  
                                                 
As of December 31, 2009:
                                               
Sheraton
  $ 3     $ 2     $ 25     $ 30     $ 97     $ 127  
Westin
    3       3       27       33       128       161  
Other
    2       2       2       6       42       48  
                                                 
    $ 8     $ 7     $ 54     $ 69     $ 267     $ 336  
                                                 
 
Note 12.   Fair Value
 
The following table presents the Company’s fair value hierarchy for its financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2010 (in millions):
 
                                 
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
 
Assets:
                               
Interest Rate Swaps
  $     $ 16     $     $ 16  
                                 
    $     $ 16     $     $ 16  
Liabilities:
                               
Forward contracts
  $     $ 9     $     $ 9  
 
The forward contracts are over the counter contracts that do not trade on a public exchange. The fair values of the contracts are based on inputs such as foreign currency spot rates and forward points that are readily available on public markets, and as such, are classified as Level 2. The Company considered both its credit risk, as well as its counterparties’ credit risk in determining fair value and no adjustment was made as it was deemed insignificant based on the short duration of the contracts and the Company’s rate of short-term debt.
 
The interest rate swaps are valued using an income approach. Expected future cash flows are converted to a present value amount based on market expectations of the yield curve on floating interest rates, which is readily available on public markets.
 
Prior to ASU No. 2009-17, the Company estimated the fair value of its Retained Interests using a discounted cash flow model with unobservable inputs, which is considered Level 3. See Note 10 for the assumptions used to calculate the estimated fair value and sensitivity analysis based on changes in assumptions.
 
The following table presents a reconciliation of the Company’s Retained Interests measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the year ended December 31, 2010 (in millions):
 
         
Balance at January 1, 2010
  $ 25  
Adoption of ASU No. 2009-17
    (25 )
         
Balance at December 31, 2010
  $  
         


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STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Note 13.   Deferred Gains
 
The Company defers gains realized in connection with the sale of a property for which the Company continues to manage the property through a long-term management agreement and recognizes the gains over the initial term of the related agreement. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company had total deferred gains of $1.011 billion and $1.093 billion, respectively, included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Amortization of deferred gains is included in management fees, franchise fees and other income in the Company’s consolidated statements of income and totaled approximately $81 million, $82 million and $83 million in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
Note 14.   Restructuring, Goodwill Impairment and Other Special Charges (Credits), Net
 
Restructuring, Goodwill Impairment and Other Special Charges (Credits) by operating segment are as follows (in millions):
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
 
Segment
                       
Hotel
  $ (74 )   $ 21     $ 41  
Vacation Ownership & Residential
    (1 )     358       100  
                         
Total
  $ (75 )   $ 379     $ 141  
                         
 
During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company received cash proceeds of $75 million in connection with the favorable settlement of a lawsuit. The Company recorded this settlement, net of the reimbursement of legal costs of approximately $10 million incurred in connection with the litigation, as a credit to restructuring, goodwill impairment, and other special charges (credits) line item.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company recorded a credit of $8 million to the restructuring, goodwill impairment, and other special (credits) charges line item as a liability associated with an acquisition in 1998 that was no longer deemed necessary (see Note 26).
 
During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company completed a comprehensive review of its vacation ownership business. The Company decided not to develop certain vacation ownership sites and future phases of certain existing projects. As a result of these decisions, the Company recorded a primarily non-cash impairment charge of $255 million. The impairment included a charge of approximately $148 million primarily related to land held for development; a charge of $64 million for the reduction in inventory values at four properties; the write-off of fixed assets of $21 million; facility exit costs of $15 million and $7 million in other costs. Additionally, as a result of this decision and the current economic climate, the Company recorded a $90 million non-cash charge for the impairment of goodwill in the vacation ownership reporting unit (see Note 8).
 
Additionally, in 2009, the Company recorded restructuring and other special charges of $34 million, primarily related to severance charges and costs to close vacation ownership sales galleries, associated with its ongoing initiative of rationalizing its cost structure.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company recorded restructuring and other special charges of $141 million, including $62 million of severance and related charges associated with the start of its initiative of rationalizing the Company’s cost structure. The Company also recorded impairment charges of approximately $79 million primarily related to the decision not to develop two vacation ownership projects as a result of the current economic climate and its impact on business conditions.
 
In determining the fair value associated with the impairment charges the Company primarily used the income and market approaches. Under the income approach, fair value was determined based on estimated future cash flows taking into consideration items such as operating margins and the sales pace of vacation ownership intervals,


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STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
discounted using a rate commensurate with the inherent risk of the project. Under the market approach, fair value was determined with the comparable sales of similar assets and appraisals.
 
The Company had remaining restructuring accruals of $29 million as of December 31, 2010, which are primarily long-term in nature and recorded in other liabilities. The activity in the restructuring and other special charges account for the year ended December 31, 2010 included payments of $3 million primarily related to the remaining severance accruals and a restructuring credit of $2 million associated with the reversal of previous restructuring accruals no longer deemed necessary.
 
Note 15.   Income Taxes
 
Income tax data from continuing operations of the Company is as follows (in millions):
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
 
Pretax income
                       
U.S. 
  $ 85     $ (76 )   $ 315  
Foreign
    250       (220 )     6  
                         
    $ 335     $ (296 )   $ 321  
                         
Provision (benefit) for income tax
                       
Current:
                       
U.S. federal
  $ (61 )   $ (84 )   $ (15 )
State and local
    18       12       32  
Foreign
    43       38       48  
                         
            (34 )     65  
                         
Deferred:
                       
U.S. federal
    22       (117 )     28  
State and local
    (7 )     (18 )     (23 )
Foreign
    12       (124 )     2  
                         
      27       (259 )     7  
                         
    $ 27     $ (293 )   $ 72  
                         
 
No provision has been made for U.S. taxes payable on undistributed foreign earnings amounting to approximately $2.3 billion as of December 31, 2010 since these amounts are permanently reinvested.


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STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Deferred income taxes represent the tax effect of the differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets (liabilities) include the following (in millions):
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
 
Plant, property and equipment
  $ (21 )   $ (51 )
Intangibles
    178       104  
Inventories
    183       197  
Deferred gains
    346       359  
Receivables (net of reserves)
    25       (2 )
Other reserves
    43       43  
Employee benefits
    37       36  
Prepaid income
    102       126  
Net operating loss, capital loss and tax credit carryforwards
    406       591  
Accrued expenses
    83       87  
Other
    (34 )     (22 )
                 
      1,348       1,468  
Less valuation allowance
    (397 )     (517 )
                 
Deferred income taxes
  $ 951     $ 951  
                 
 
At December 31, 2010, the Company had federal and state net operating losses, which have varying expiration dates extending through 2028, of approximately $1 million and $2 billion, respectively. The Company had federal and state capital losses, which expire at the end of 2011, of approximately $495 million and $842 million, respectively. The Company had state tax credit carryforwards, which expire at the end of 2026, of $4 million. The Company also had foreign net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards of approximately $210 million and $3 million, respectively. The majority of foreign net operating loss and the tax credit carryforwards will fully expire by 2020. The Company has established a valuation allowance against substantially all of the tax benefit for federal and state loss carryforwards as it is unlikely that the benefit will be realized prior to their expiration. The Company is currently considering certain tax-planning strategies that may allow it to utilize these tax attributes within the statutory carryforward period.


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STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
A reconciliation of the tax provision of the Company at the U.S. statutory rate to the provision for income tax as reported is as follows (in millions):
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
 
Tax provision at U.S. statutory rate
  $ 117     $ (104 )   $ 112  
U.S. state and local income taxes
    (2 )     (3 )     8  
Tax on repatriation of foreign earnings
    70       (45 )     (14 )
Foreign tax rate differential
    (70 )     (25 )     (20 )
Italian incentive program
          (120 )      
Nondeductible goodwill
    3       39        
Change in uncertain tax positions
    23       9        
Tax settlements
    (42 )     1        
Tax benefit on the deferred gain from asset sales
    (7 )     (3 )     (10 )
Basis difference on asset sales
    8       (29 )     16  
Change in valuation allowance
    (99 )           (31 )
Other
    26       (13 )     11  
                         
Provision for income tax (benefit)
  $ 27     $ (293 )   $ 72  
                         
 
During 2009, the Company completed an evaluation of its ability to claim U.S. foreign tax credits generated in prior years on its federal tax return. As a result of this analysis, the Company determined that it could realize the credits for the 2001 through 2004 tax years. The Company had not previously accrued this benefit since the realization of the benefit was determined to be unlikely. Therefore, during 2009, a $37 million tax benefit, net of incremental taxes and interest, was recorded for these foreign tax credits. Additionally, during 2010, the Company adjusted its deferred income tax balances by approximately $30 million for items related to prior periods. As discussed below, as a result of final negotiations during 2010 related to the tax settlement on the 1998 disposition of World Directories, the Company agreed to forgo foreign tax credits generated in tax years 2000 through 2002. Therefore, during 2010, a portion of the 2009 tax benefit discussed in this paragraph was reversed.
 
During 2009, the Company entered into an Italian tax incentive program through which the tax basis of its Italian owned hotels were stepped up in exchange for paying $9 million of current tax over a three year period. As a result, the Company was able to recognize a tax benefit of $129 million to establish the deferred tax asset related to the basis step up. This benefit was offset by a $9 million tax charge to accrue the current tax payable under the program, resulting in a net benefit of $120 million.
 
During 2010, the Company recognized goodwill impairments associated with the sale of a wholly-owned hotel. During 2009, the Company recognized goodwill impairments associated with the sale of a wholly-owned hotel and the overall value of its timeshare operations. For tax purposes, the impairments are not deductible. As a result, the Company did not recognize a tax benefit on the impairments and the provision for income tax was unfavorably impacted by a $3 million and $39 million charge in 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
During 2010, the Company finalized the details of its settlement with the IRS with respect to the 1998 disposition of World Directories. Final negotiations in 2010 resulted in the Company agreeing to forgo foreign tax credit claims for tax years 2000 through 2002. As a result of the settlement, the Company obtained a refund of previously paid taxes, plus interest, of approximately $245 million. The Company recognized a $42 million tax benefit in continuing operations, which included a $92 million tax benefit primarily for interest on taxes previously paid offset by a $50 million tax charge to derecognize previously benefited foreign tax credits. In addition, the Company recognized a $134 million tax benefit in discontinued operations primarily related to the portion of the tax no longer due.


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Table of Contents

STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Pursuant to ASC 740, Income Taxes, the Company is required to accrue tax and associated interest and penalty on uncertain tax positions. The Company recorded charges of $23 million, $9 million and $0 million, for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively, primarily associated with interest due on existing uncertain tax positions.
 
When the Company sells a wholly-owned hotel subject to a long-term management contract, the pretax gain is deferred and is recognized over the life of the contract. In such instances, the Company establishes a deferred tax asset on the deferred gain and recognizes the related tax benefit through the tax provision. The Company recorded benefits of $7 million, $3 million and $10 million, for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively, to establish the deferred tax assets on these types of dispositions.
 
During 2010 and 2008, the Company completed certain transactions that generated capital gains for U.S. tax purposes. These gains were offset by capital losses upon which the Company had not previously accrued a benefit since the realization was determined to be unlikely. Therefore, during 2010 and 2008, the Company recorded tax benefits of $99 million and $31 million, respectively, to reverse the capital loss valuation allowance.
 
As of December 31, 2010, the Company had approximately $510 million of total unrecognized tax benefits, of which $37 million would affect its effective tax rate if recognized. It is reasonably possible that zero to substantially all of the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2010 will reverse within the next twelve months.
 
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in millions):
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
 
Beginning of Year
  $ 999     $ 1,003     $ 968  
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year
    29       4       41  
Additions for tax positions of prior years
    18       2       2  
Settlements with tax authorities
    (499 )     (7 )     (3 )
Reductions for tax positions in prior years
    (5 )     (1 )     (4 )
Reductions due to the lapse of applicable statutes of limitations
    (32 )     (2 )     (1 )
                         
End of Year
  $ 510     $ 999     $ 1,003  
                         
 
The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits through income tax expense. The Company had $92 million and $233 million accrued for the payment of interest and no accrued penalties as of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.
 
The Company is subject to taxation in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, as well as various state and foreign jurisdictions. As of December 31, 2010, the Company is no longer subject to examination by U.S. federal taxing authorities for years prior to 2004 and to examination by any U.S. state taxing authority prior to 1998. All subsequent periods remain eligible for examination. In the significant foreign jurisdictions in which the Company operates, the Company is no longer subject to examination by the relevant taxing authorities for any years prior to 2001.


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STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Note 16.   Debt
 
Long-term debt and short-term borrowings consisted of the following (in millions):
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
 
Senior Credit Facilities:
               
Revolving Credit Facility interest rates ranging from 1.10% to 2.50% at December 31, 2010, maturing 2013
  $     $  
Revolving Credit Facility, terminated in 2010
          114  
Senior Notes, interest at 7.875%, maturing 2012
    609       608  
Senior Notes, interest at 6.25%, maturing 2013
    504       498  
Senior Notes, interest at 7.875%, maturing 2014
    490       485  
Senior Notes, interest at 7.375%, maturing 2015
    450       449  
Senior Notes, interest at 6.75%, maturing 2018
    400       400  
Senior Notes, interest at 7.15%, maturing 2019
    245       244  
Mortgages and other, interest rates ranging from 2.15% to 9.00%, various maturities
    159       162  
                 
      2,857       2,960  
Less current maturities
    (9 )     (5 )
                 
Long-term debt
  $ 2,848     $ 2,955  
                 
 
Aggregate debt maturities for each of the years ended December 31 are as follows (in millions):
 
         
2011
  $ 9  
2012
    653  
2013
    557  
2014
    494  
2015
    457  
Thereafter
    687  
         
    $ 2,857  
         
 
The Company maintains lines of credit under which bank loans and other short-term debt are drawn. In addition, smaller credit lines are maintained by the Company’s foreign subsidiaries. The Company had approximately $1.4 billion of available borrowing capacity under its domestic and foreign lines of credit as of December 31, 2010. The short-term borrowings at December 31, 2010 and 2009 were insignificant.
 
The Company is subject to certain restrictive debt covenants under its short-term borrowing and long-term debt obligations including defined financial covenants, limitations on incurring additional debt, ability to pay dividends, escrow account funding requirements for debt service, capital expenditures, tax payments and insurance premiums, among other restrictions. The Company was in compliance with all of the short-term and long-term debt covenants at December 31, 2010.
 
On April 20, 2010, the Company entered into a new $1.5 billion senior credit facility. The new facility matures on November 15, 2013 and replaces the previous $1.875 billion revolving credit agreement, which would have matured on February 11, 2011. The new facility includes an accordion feature under which the Company may increase the revolving loan commitment by up to $375 million subject to certain conditions and bank commitments. The multi-currency facility enhances the Company’s financial flexibility and is expected to be used for general corporate purposes. The Company had no borrowings under the senior credit facility and $159 million of letters of


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STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
credit outstanding as of December 31, 2010. The new credit agreement includes various customary covenants, including maintaining leverage and coverage ratios. The Consolidated Leverage Ratio (as defined) maximum of 5.50x will decrease to 5.25x beginning on July 1, 2011 and will thereafter step down in 0.25x increments every six months, reaching 4.50x beginning on January 1, 2013. The Consolidated Coverage Ratio (as defined) minimum remains at 2.5x through the term of the agreement.
 
During 2009, the Company reduced debt by over $1 billion. The Company issued new debt of $750 million and prepaid debt of $1.675 billion including term loans maturing in 2009, 2010 and 2011 totaling $1.375 billion. Additional sources of cash generated to pay down debt were proceeds from asset sales, securitizations and a co-branding arrangement, as described in Notes 5, 10 and 18.
 
During 2009, the Company entered into six interest rate swap agreements with a notional amount of $500 million, under which the Company pays floating and receives fixed interest rates (see Note 24).
 
On December 7, 2009, the Company used the proceeds from a public offering of Senior Notes described below, together with other borrowings, to complete a tender offer to repurchase $195 million of the principal amount of its 7.875% Senior Notes due 2012 and $105 million of its 6.25% Senior Notes due 2013. In connection with this tender offer, the Company recorded a $17 million charge to interest expense related to the tender premium and unamortized debt issue costs.
 
On November 24, 2009, the Company completed a public offering of $250 million of Senior Notes (“the 7.15% Notes”) due December 1, 2019. The Company received net proceeds of approximately $241 million, which were used to repurchase a portion of outstanding Senior Notes (discussed above). Interest on the 7.15% Notes is payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1. The Company may redeem all or a portion of the 7.15% Notes at any time at the Company’s option at a price equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the aggregate principal plus accrued and unpaid interest and (2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest discounted at the redemption rate on a semi-annual basis at the Treasury rate plus 50 basis points, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The 7.15% Notes rank parri passu with all other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations. Upon a change in control of the Company, the holders of the 7.15% Notes will have the right to require repurchase of the respective 7.15% Notes at 101% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. Certain covenants on the 7.15% Notes include restrictions on liens, sale and leaseback transactions, mergers, consolidations and sale of assets.
 
On April 30, 2009, the Company completed a public offering of $500 million of senior notes with a coupon rate of 7.875% (the “7.875% Notes”) due October 15, 2014, issued at a discount price of 96.285%. The Company received net proceeds of approximately $475 million which were used to reduce the outstanding borrowings under its previous revolving credit facility and for general purposes. Interest on the 7.875% Notes is payable semi-annually on April 15 and October 15. The Company may redeem all or a portion of the 7.875% Notes at any time at the Company’s option at a discount rate of Treasury plus 50 basis points. The 7.875% Notes will rank parri passu with all other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations. Upon a change in control of the Company, the holders of the 7.875% Notes will have the right to require repurchase of the 7.875% Notes at 101% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. Certain covenants on the 7.875% Notes include restrictions on liens, sale and leaseback transactions, mergers, consolidations and sale of assets.


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STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Note 17.   Securitized Vacation Ownership Debt
 
As discussed in Note 10, the Company’s VIEs associated with the securitization of its vacation ownership notes receivable were consolidated following the adoption of ASU Nos. 2009-16 and 2009-17. As of December 31, 2010, long-term and short-term securitized vacation ownership debt consisted of the following (in millions):
 
         
2003 securitization, interest rates ranging from 3.95% to 6.96%, maturing 2017
  $ 17  
2005 securitization, interest rates ranging from 5.25% to 6.29%, maturing 2018
    55  
2006 securitization, interest rates ranging from 5.28% to 5.85%, maturing 2018
    39  
2009 securitization, interest rate at 5.81%, maturing 2016
    128  
2010 securitization, interest rates ranging from 3.65% to 4.75%, maturing 2020
    255  
         
      494  
Less current maturities
    (127 )
         
Long-term debt
  $ 367  
         
 
During the year ended December 31, 2010, interest expense associated with securitized vacation ownership debt was $27 million.
 
Note 18.   Other Liabilities
 
Other liabilities consisted of the following (in millions):
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2010     2009  
 
Deferred gains on asset sales
  $ 930     $ 1,009  
SPG point liability(a)
    702       634  
Deferred income including VOI and residential sales
    20       33  
Benefit plan liabilities
    61       65  
Insurance reserves
    46       46  
Other
    127       116  
                 
    $ 1,886     $ 1,903  
                 
 
 
(a) Includes the actuarially determined liability related to the SPG program and the liability associated with the American Express transaction discussed below.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company entered into an amendment to its existing co-branded credit card agreement (“Amendment”) with American Express and extended the term of its co-branding agreement to June 15, 2015. In connection with the Amendment in July 2009, the Company received $250 million in cash toward the purchase of future SPG points by American Express. In accordance with ASC 470, Debt, the Company has recorded this transaction as a financing arrangement with an implicit interest rate of 4.5%. The Amendment requires a fixed amount of $50 million per year to be deducted from the $250 million advance over the five year period regardless of the total amount of points purchased. As a result, the liability associated with this financing arrangement is being reduced ratably over a five year period beginning in October 2009. In accordance with the terms of the Amendment, if the Company fails to comply with certain financial covenants, the Company would have to repay the remaining balance of the liability, and, if the Company does not pay such liability, the Company is required to pledge certain receivables as collateral for the remaining balance of the liability.


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STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Note 19.   Discontinued Operations
 
Summary of financial information for discontinued operations is as follows (in millions):
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
 
Income Statement Data
                       
Gain on disposition, net of tax
  $ 168     $ 76     $ 75  
Income (loss) from operations, net of tax
  $ (1 )   $ (2 )   $ 5  
 
During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company recorded a gain of $134 million related to the final settlement with the IRS regarding the World Directories disposition (see Note 15) and a gain of approximately $36 million primarily related to a tax benefit in connection with the sale of one wholly-owned hotel for $78 million. The tax benefit on this hotel sale was related to the realization of a high tax basis in this hotel that was generated through a previous transaction.
 
For the year ended December 31, 2009, the $76 million (net of tax) gain on dispositions includes the gains from the sale of the Company’s Bliss spa business, other non-core assets and three hotels. The operations from the Bliss spa business, and the revenues and expenses from one hotel, which was in the process of being sold and was later sold in 2010, are included in discontinued operations, resulting in a loss of $2 million, net of tax.
 
For the year ended December 31, 2008, the gain on dispositions includes a $124 million gain ($129 million pretax) on sale of three hotels which were sold unencumbered by management or franchise contracts partially offset by a $49 million tax charge as a result of a 2008 administrative tax ruling for an unrelated taxpayer that impacts the tax liability associated with the disposition of one of the Company’s businesses several years ago. Additionally, $5 million ($9 million pretax) of 2008 results from operations relating to Bliss and the one owned hotel that was in the process of being sold at December 31, 2009, was reclassified to discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2008.
 
Note 20.   Employee Benefit Plan
 
During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company recorded net actuarial losses of $4 million (net of tax) related to various employee benefit plans. These losses were recorded in other comprehensive income. The amortization of actuarial loss, a component of other comprehensive income, for the year ended December 31, 2010 was $1 million (net of tax).
 
Included in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income at December 31, 2010 are unrecognized net actuarial losses of $66 million ($56 million, net of tax) that have not yet been recognized in net periodic pension cost. The actuarial loss included in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income and expected to be recognized in net periodic pension cost during the year ended December 31, 2011 is $1 million ($1 million, net of tax).
 
Defined Benefit and Postretirement Benefit Plans.  The Company and its subsidiaries sponsor or previously sponsored numerous funded and unfunded domestic and international pension plans. All defined benefit plans covering U.S. employees are frozen. Certain plans covering non-U.S. employees remain active.
 
The Company also sponsors the Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Retiree Welfare Program. This plan provides health care and life insurance benefits for certain eligible retired employees. The Company has prefunded a portion of the health care and life insurance obligations through trust funds where such prefunding can be accomplished on a tax effective basis. The Company also funds this program on a pay-as-you-go basis.


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STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
The following table sets forth the benefit obligation, fair value of plan assets, the funded status and the accumulated benefit obligation of the Company’s defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans at December 31, 2010 and 2009 (in millions):
                                                 
    Domestic
    Foreign Pension
    Postretirement
 
    Pension Benefits     Benefits     Benefits  
    2010     2009     2010     2009     2010     2009  
 
Change in Benefit Obligation
                                               
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
  $ 17     $ 17     $ 178     $ 199     $ 19     $ 18  
Service cost
                      5              
Interest cost
    1       1       10       13       1       1  
Actuarial loss
    2             5       11       2       3  
Settlements and curtailments
                      (50 )            
Effect of foreign exchange rates
                (3 )     8              
Plan participant contributions
                            1       1  
Benefits paid
    (1 )     (1 )     (7 )     (6 )     (3 )     (4 )
Plan amendments
                      (2 )            
                                                 
Benefit obligation at end of year
  $ 19     $ 17     $ 183     $ 178     $ 20     $ 19  
                                                 
Change in Plan Assets
                                               
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
  $     $     $ 159     $ 132     $ 1     $ 2  
Actual return on plan assets, net of expenses
                14       28              
Employer contribution
    1       1       13       21       2       2  
Plan participant contributions
                            1       1  
Effect of foreign exchange rates
                (3 )     9              
Settlements and curtailments
                      (25 )            
Benefits paid
    (1 )     (1 )     (7 )     (6 )     (3 )     (4 )
                                                 
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
  $     $     $ 176     $ 159     $ 1     $ 1  
                                                 
Unfunded status
  $ (19 )   $ (17 )   $ (7 )   $ (19 )   $ (19 )   $ (18 )
                                                 
Accumulated benefit obligation
  $ 19     $ 17     $ 182     $ 176       n/a       n/a  
                                                 
Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets
                                               
Projected benefit obligation
  $ 19     $ 17     $ 121     $ 117       n/a       n/a  
                                                 
Accumulated benefit obligation
  $ 19     $ 17     $ 121     $ 115       n/a       n/a  
                                                 
Fair value of plan assets
  $     $     $ 97     $ 87       n/a       n/a  
                                                 
 
The net underfunded status of the plans at December 31, 2010 was $45 million, of which $59 million is in other liabilities and $3 million is in accrued expenses and $17 million is in other assets in the accompanying balance sheet.
 
All domestic pension plans are frozen plans, where employees do not accrue additional benefits. Therefore, at December 31, 2010 and 2009, the projected benefit obligation is equal to the accumulated benefit obligation. In 2009, the Company elected to freeze its Foreign Service pension plan and settled its defined benefit pension plans in Canada, resulting in a $50 million reduction in the projected benefit obligation.


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STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
The following table presents the components of net periodic benefit cost and the impact of the plan curtailments and settlements for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 (in millions):
 
                                                                         
    Domestic
    Foreign Pension
    Postretirement
 
    Pension Benefits     Benefits     Benefits  
    2010     2009     2008     2010     2009     2008     2010     2009     2008  
 
Service cost
  $     $     $     $     $ 5     $ 4     $     $     $  
Interest cost
    1       1       1       10       13       11       1       1       1  
Expected return on plan assets
                      (10 )     (10 )     (10 )                  
Amortization of actuarial loss
                      1       5       2                    
Other
                                  1                    
                                                                         
ASC 715, Compensation
    1       1       1       1       13       8       1       1       1  
                                                                         
Settlement and curtailment (gain) loss
                            (4 )     1                    
                                                                         
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 1     $ 1     $ 1     $ 1     $ 9     $ 9     $ 1     $ 1     $ 1  
                                                                         
 
For measurement purposes, an 8% annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits was assumed for 2011, gradually decreasing to 5% in 2016. A one-percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have approximately a $0.6 million effect on the postretirement obligation and a nominal impact on the total of service and interest cost components of net periodic benefit cost. The majority of participants in the Foreign Pension Plans are employees of managed hotels, for which the Company is reimbursed for costs related to their benefits. The impact of these reimbursements is not reflected above.
 
The weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31 were as follows:
 
                                                 
    Domestic
  Foreign Pension
  Postretirement
    Pension Benefits   Benefits   Benefits
    2010   2009   2010   2009   2010   2009
 
Discount rate
    5.00 %     5.51 %     5.34 %     5.93 %     4.75 %     5.50 %
Rate of compensation increase
    n/a       n/a       3.64 %     3.50 %     n/a       n/a  
 
The weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
 
                                                                         
    Domestic
  Foreign Pension
  Postretirement
    Pension Benefits   Benefits   Benefits
    2010   2009   2008   2010   2009   2008   2010   2009   2008
 
Discount rate
    5.51 %     5.99 %     5.75 %     5.93 %     6.19 %     5.88 %     5.50 %     6.00 %     5.74 %
Rate of compensation increase
    n/a       n/a       n/a       3.50 %     3.93 %     3.89 %     n/a       n/a       n/a  
Expected return on plan assets
    n/a       n/a       n/a       6.56 %     6.25 %     6.38 %     7.10 %     7.50 %     7.50 %
 
A number of factors were considered in the determination of the expected return on plan assets. These factors included current and expected allocation of plan assets, the investment strategy, historical rates of return and Company and investment expert expectations for investment performance over approximately a ten year period.


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STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
The following table presents the Company’s fair value hierarchy of the plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2010 (in millions):
 
                                 
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
 
Assets:
                               
Mutual Funds
  $ 44     $     $     $ 44  
Collective Trusts
          5             5  
Equity Index Funds
          72             72  
Bond Index Funds
          56             56  
                                 
Total
  $ 44     $ 133     $     $ 177  
                                 
 
The following table presents the Company’s fair value hierarchy of the plan assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2009 (in millions):
 
                                 
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
 
Assets:
                               
Mutual Funds
  $ 40     $     $     $ 40  
Collective Trusts
          5             5  
Equity Index Funds
          67             67  
Bond Index Funds
          48             48  
                                 
Total
  $ 40     $ 120     $     $ 160  
                                 
 
The mutual funds are valued using quoted market prices in active markets.
 
The collective trusts, equity index funds and bond index funds are not publicly traded but are valued based on the underlying assets which are publicly traded.
 
The following table represents the Company’s expected pension and postretirement benefit plan payments for the next five years and the five years thereafter (in millions):
 
                         
    Domestic
    Foreign Pension
    Postretirement
 
    Pension Benefits     Benefits     Benefits  
 
2011
  $ 1     $ 7     $ 2  
2012
  $ 1     $ 7     $ 2  
2013
  $ 1     $ 8     $ 2  
2014
  $ 1     $ 8     $ 2  
2015
  $ 1     $ 8     $ 2  
2016-2020
  $ 7     $ 44     $ 7  
 
Defined Contribution Plans.  The Company and its subsidiaries sponsor various defined contribution plans, including the Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Savings and Retirement Plan, which is a voluntary defined contribution plan allowing participation by employees on U.S. payroll who meet certain age and service requirements. Each participant may contribute on a pretax basis between 1% and 50% of his or her compensation to the plan subject to certain maximum limits. The plan also contains provisions for matching contributions to be made by the Company, which are based on a portion of a participant’s eligible compensation. The amount of expense for matching contributions totaled $13 million in 2010, $15 million in 2009, and $16 million in 2008. Included as an investment choice is the Company’s publicly traded common stock, which had a balance of $87 million and $59 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.


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STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Multi-Employer Pension Plans.  Certain employees are covered by union sponsored multi-employer pension plans. Pursuant to agreements between the Company and various unions, contributions of $9 million in 2010, 2009 and 2008 were made by the Company and charged to expense.
 
Note 21.   Leases and Rentals
 
The Company leases certain equipment for the hotels’ operations under various lease agreements. The leases extend for varying periods through 2016 and generally are for a fixed amount each month. In addition, several of the Company’s hotels are subject to leases of land or building facilities from third parties, which extend for varying periods through 2096 and generally contain fixed and variable components. The variable components of leases of land or building facilities are primarily based on the operating profit or revenues of the related hotels.
 
The Company’s minimum future rents at December 31, 2010 payable under non-cancelable operating leases with third parties are as follows (in millions):
 
         
2011
  $ 96  
2012
    81  
2013
    80  
2014
    78  
2015
    71  
Thereafter
    939  
 
Minimum future rents have not been reduced by future minimum sublease income of approximately $13 million expected under non-cancelable subleases.
 
Rent expense under non-cancelable operating leases consisted of the following (in millions):
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
 
Minimum rent
  $ 90     $ 89     $ 93  
Contingent rent
    6       2       10  
Sublease rent
    (5 )     (3 )     (6 )
                         
    $ 91     $ 88     $ 97  
                         
 
Note 22.   Stockholders’ Equity
 
Share Repurchases.  During the year ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company did not repurchase any Company common shares. As of December 31, 2010, no repurchase capacity remained under the Share Repurchase Authorization.
 
Note 23.   Stock-Based Compensation
 
In 2004, the Company adopted the 2004 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (“2004 LTIP”), which superseded the 2002 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (“2002 LTIP”) and provides the terms of equity award grants to directors, officers, employees, consultants and advisors. Although no additional awards will be granted under the 2002 LTIP, the Company’s 1999 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan or the Company’s 1995 Share Option Plan, the provisions under each of the previous plans will continue to govern awards that have been granted and remain outstanding under those plans. The aggregate award pool for non-qualified or incentive stock options, performance shares, restricted stock and units or any combination of the foregoing which are available to be granted under the 2004 LTIP at December 31, 2010 was approximately 53 million.


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STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Compensation expense, net of reimbursements during 2010, 2009 and 2008 was approximately $72 million, $53 million and $68 million, respectively, resulting in tax benefits of $28 million, $21 million and $26 million, respectively.
 
The Company utilizes the Lattice model to calculate the fair value option grants. Weighted average assumptions used to determine the fair value of option grants were as follows:
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2010     2009     2008  
 
Dividend yield
    0.75 %     3.50 %     1.50 %
Volatility:
                       
Near term
    37.0 %     74.0 %     38.0 %
Long term
    45.0 %     43.0 %     36.0 %
Expected life
    6 yrs.       7 yrs.       6 yrs.  
Yield curve:
                       
6 month
    0.19 %     0.45 %     1.90 %
1 year
    0.32 %     0.72 %     1.91 %
3 year
    1.36 %     1.40 %     2.17 %
5 year
    2.30 %     1.99 %     2.79 %
10 year
    3.61 %     3.02 %     3.73 %
 
The dividend yield is estimated based on the current expected annualized dividend payment and the average expected price of the Company’s common shares during the same periods.
 
The estimated volatility is based on a combination of historical share price volatility as well as implied volatility based on market analysis. The historical share price volatility was measured over an 8-year period, which is equal to the contractual term of the options. The weighted average volatility for 2010 grants was 40%.
 
The expected life represents the period that the Company’s stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding and was determined based on an actuarial calculation using historical experience, giving consideration to the contractual terms of the stock-based awards and vesting schedules.
 
The yield curve (risk-free interest rate) is based on the implied zero-coupon yield from the U.S. Treasury yield curve over the expected term of the option.
 
The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activity during 2010:
 
                 
          Weighted Average
 
    Options
    Exercise
 
    (In millions)     Price Per Share  
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2009
    13.1     $ 29.15  
Granted
    0.6       38.24  
Exercised
    (4.9 )     28.80  
Forfeited, Canceled or Expired
    (0.1 )     45.13  
                 
Outstanding at December 31, 2010
    8.7     $ 29.72  
                 
Exercisable at December 31, 2010
    4.2     $ 42.67  
                 
 
The weighted-average fair value per option for options granted during 2010, 2009 and 2008 was $14.73, $4.69, and $17.24, respectively, and the service period is typically four years. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during 2010, 2009 and 2008 was approximately $115 million, $1 million and $89 million, respectively, resulting in tax benefits of approximately $44 million, $0.3 million and $35 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2010,


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STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
there was approximately $21 million of unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, related to nonvested options, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.17 years on a straight-line basis.
 
The aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding options as of December 31, 2010 was $272 million. The aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable options as of December 31, 2010 was $77 million. The weighted-average contractual life was 4.50 years for outstanding options and 2.67 years for exercisable option as of December 31, 2010.
 
The Company recognizes compensation expense equal to the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant for restricted stock and unit grants over the service period. The weighted-average fair value per stock or unit granted during 2010, 2009 and 2008 was $37.33, $11.15 and $46.49, respectively. The service period is typically three or four years except in the case of restricted stock and units issued in lieu of a portion of an annual cash bonus where the restriction lapse period is typically in equal installments over a two year period, or in equal installments on the first, second and third fiscal year ends following grant date with distribution on the third fiscal year end.
 
At December 31, 2010, there was approximately $68 million (net of estimated forfeitures) in unamortized compensation cost related to restricted stock and units. The weighted average remaining term was 1.08 years for restricted stock and units outstanding at December 31, 2010. The fair value of restricted stock and units for which the restrictions lapsed during 2010, 2009 and 2008 was approximately $62 million, $33 million and $85 million, respectively.
 
The following table summarizes the Company’s restricted stock and units activity during 2010:
 
                 
    Number of
    Weighted Average
 
    Restricted
    Grant Date Value
 
    Stock and Units     Per Share  
    (In millions)        
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2009
    8.0     $ 28.48  
Granted
    2.0       37.33  
Lapse of restrictions
    (1.4 )     43.00  
Forfeited or Canceled
    (0.1 )     27.82  
                 
Outstanding at December 31, 2010
    8.5     $ 28.11  
                 
 
2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 
In April 2002, the Board of Directors adopted (and in May 2002 the shareholders approved) the Company’s 2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) to provide employees of the Company with an opportunity to purchase shares through payroll deductions and reserved 11,988,793 shares for issuance under the ESPP. The ESPP commenced in October 2002.
 
All full-time employees who have completed 30 days of continuous service and who are employed by the Company on U.S. payrolls are eligible to participate in the ESPP. Eligible employees may contribute up to 20% of their total cash compensation to the ESPP. Amounts withheld are applied at the end of every three month accumulation period to purchase shares. The value of the shares (determined as of the beginning of the offering period) that may be purchased by any participant in a calendar year is limited to $25,000. The purchase price to employees is equal to 95% of the fair market value of shares at the end of each period. Participants may withdraw their contributions at any time before shares are purchased.
 
Approximately 117,000 shares were issued under the ESPP during the year ended December 31, 2010 at purchase prices ranging from $36.77 to $54.00. Approximately 265,000 shares were issued under the ESPP during the year ended December 31, 2009 at purchase prices ranging from $11.01 to $30.42.


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STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Note 24.   Derivative Financial Instruments
 
The Company, based on market conditions, enters into forward contracts to manage foreign exchange risk. The Company enters into forward contracts to hedge forecasted transactions based in certain foreign currencies, including the Euro, Canadian Dollar and Yen. These forward contracts have been designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, and their change in fair value is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods in which the forecasted transaction occurs. To qualify as a hedge, the Company needs to formally document, designate and assess the effectiveness of the transactions that receive hedge accounting. The notional dollar amounts of the outstanding Euro and Yen forward contracts at December 31, 2010 are $31 million and $6 million, respectively, with average exchange rates of 1.3 and 83.7, respectively, with terms of primarily less than one year. The Company reviews the effectiveness of its hedging instruments on a quarterly basis and records any ineffectiveness into earnings. The Company discontinues hedge accounting for any hedge that is no longer evaluated to be highly effective. From time to time, the Company may choose to de-designate portions of hedges when changes in estimates of forecasted transactions occur. Each of these hedges was highly effective in offsetting fluctuations in foreign currencies.
 
The Company also enters into forward contracts to manage foreign exchange risk on intercompany loans that are not deemed permanently invested. These forward contracts are not designated as hedges, and their change in fair value is recorded in the Company’s consolidated statements of income during each reporting period.
 
The Company enters into interest rate swap agreements to manage interest expense. The Company’s objective is to manage the impact of interest rates on the results of operations, cash flows and the market value of the Company’s debt. At December 31, 2010, the Company has six interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional amount of $500 million under which the Company pays floating rates and receives fixed rates of interest (“Fair Value Swaps”). The Fair Value Swaps hedge the change in fair value of certain fixed rate debt related to fluctuations in interest rates and mature in 2012, 2013 and 2014. The Fair Value Swaps modify the Company’s interest rate exposure by effectively converting debt with a fixed rate to a floating rate. These interest rate swaps have been designated and qualify as fair value hedges.
 
The counterparties to the Company’s derivative financial instruments are major financial institutions. The Company evaluates the bond ratings of the financial institutions and believes that credit risk is at an acceptable level.
 
The following tables summarize the fair value of our derivative instruments, the effect of derivative instruments on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, the amounts reclassified from “Other comprehensive income” and the effect on the Consolidated Statements of Income during the year.
 
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
(In millions)
 
                         
    December 31, 2010     December 31, 2009  
    Balance Sheet
  Fair
    Balance Sheet
  Fair
 
    Location   Value     Location   Value  
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
                       
Asset Derivatives
                       
Forward contracts
  Prepaid and other current assets   $     Prepaid and other current assets   $  
Interest rate swaps
  Other assets     16     Other assets     7  
                         
Total assets
      $ 16         $ 7  
                         
 


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STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
                         
    December 31, 2010     December 31, 2009  
    Balance Sheet
  Fair
    Balance Sheet
  Fair
 
    Location   Value     Location   Value  
 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
                       
Asset Derivatives
                       
Forward contracts
  Prepaid and other current assets   $     Prepaid and other current assets   $  
                         
Total assets
      $         $  
                         
Liability Derivatives
                       
Forward contracts
  Accrued expenses   $ 9     Accrued expenses   $ 7  
                         
Total liabilities
      $ 9         $ 7  
                         
 
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
For the Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
(In millions)
 
         
Balance at December 31, 2008
  $ (6 )
Mark-to-market gain on forward exchange contracts
     
Reclassification of gain from OCI to management fees, franchise fees, and other income
    6  
         
Balance at December 31, 2009
  $  
         
Balance at December 31, 2009
  $  
Mark-to-market loss on forward exchange contracts
    1  
Reclassification of loss from OCI to management fees, franchise fees, and other income
    (1 )
         
Balance at December 31, 2010
  $  
         
 
                             
        Amount of Gain or
 
        (Loss) Recognized in
 
        Income on Derivative  
    Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized
  Year Ended December 31,  
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments   in Income on Derivative   2010     2009     2008  
 
Foreign forward exchange contracts
  Interest expense, net   $ (45 )   $ (15 )   $ 14  
                             
Total (loss) gain included in income
      $ (45 )   $ (15 )   $ 14  
                             

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STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Note 25.   Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments (in millions):
 
                                 
    December 31, 2010     December 31, 2009  
    Carrying
    Fair
    Carrying
    Fair
 
    Amount     Value     Amount     Value  
 
Assets:
                               
Restricted cash
  $ 10     $ 10     $ 7     $ 7  
VOI notes receivable
    132       153       222       253  
Securitized vacation ownership notes receivable
    408       492              
Other notes receivable
    19       19       14       14  
                                 
Total financial assets
  $ 569     $ 674     $ 243     $ 274  
                                 
Liabilities:
                               
Long-term debt
  $ 2,848     $ 3,120     $ 2,955     $ 3,071  
Long-term securitized debt
    367       373              
Other long-term debt liabilities
                8       8  
                                 
Total financial liabilities
  $ 3,215     $ 3,493     $ 2,963     $ 3,079  
                                 
Off-Balance sheet:
                               
Letters of credit
  $     $ 159     $     $ 168  
Surety bonds
          23             21  
                                 
Total Off-Balance sheet
  $     $ 182     $     $ 189  
                                 
 
The Company believes the carrying values of its financial instruments related to current assets and liabilities approximate fair value. The Company records its derivative assets and liabilities at fair value. See Note 12 for recorded amounts and the method and assumption used to estimate fair value.
 
The carrying value of the Company’s restricted cash approximates its fair value. The Company estimates the fair value of its VOI notes receivable and securitized VOI notes receivable using assumptions related to current securitization market transactions. The amount is then compared to a discounted expected future cash flow model using a discount rate commensurate with the risk of the underlying notes, primarily determined by the credit worthiness of the borrowers based on their FICO scores. The results of these two methods are then evaluated to conclude on the estimated fair value. The fair value of other notes receivable is estimated based on terms of the instrument and current market conditions. These financial instrument assets are recorded in the other assets line item in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.
 
The Company estimates the fair value of its publicly traded debt based on the bid prices in the public debt markets. The carrying amount of its floating rate debt is a reasonable basis of fair value due to the variable nature of the interest rates. The Company’s non-public, securitized debt, and fixed rate debt fair value is determined based upon discounted cash flows for the debt rates deemed reasonable for the type of debt, prevailing market conditions and the length to maturity for the debt. Other long-term liabilities represent a financial guarantee. The carrying value of this liability approximates its fair value based on expected funding under the guarantee.
 
The fair values of the Company’s letters of credit and surety bonds are estimated to be the same as the contract values based on the nature of the fee arrangements with the issuing financial institutions.


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STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Note 26.   Commitments and Contingencies
 
The Company had the following contractual obligations outstanding as of December 31, 2010 (in millions):
 
                                         
          Due in Less
    Due in
    Due in
    Due After
 
    Total     Than 1 Year     1-3 Years     3-5 Years     5 Years  
 
Unconditional purchase obligations(a)
  $ 225     $ 69     $ 124     $ 28     $ 4  
Other long-term obligations
    3       2       1              
                                         
Total contractual obligations
  $ 228     $ 71     $ 125     $ 28     $ 4  
                                         
 
 
(a) Included in these balances are commitments that may be reimbursed or satisfied by the Company’s managed and franchised properties.
 
The Company had the following commercial commitments outstanding as of December 31, 2010 (in millions):
 
                                         
        Amount of Commitment Expiration Per Period
        Less Than
          After
    Total   1 Year   1-3 Years   3-5 Years   5 Years
 
Standby letters of credit
  $ 159     $ 144     $ 12     $     $ 3  
 
Variable Interest Entities.  The Company has evaluated hotels in which it has a variable interest, which is generally in the form of investments, loans, guarantees, or equity. The Company determines if it is the primary beneficiary of the hotel by primarily considering the qualitative factors. Qualitative factors include evaluating if the Company has the power to control the VIE and has the obligation to absorb the losses and rights to receive the benefits of the VIE, that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company has determined it is not the primary beneficiary of these VIEs and therefore these entities are not consolidated in the Company’s financial statements. See Note 10 for the VIEs in which the Company is deemed the primary beneficiary and has consolidated the entities.
 
The 15 VIEs associated with the Company’s variable interests represent entities that own hotels for which the Company has entered into management or franchise agreements with the hotel owners. The Company is paid a fee primarily based on financial metrics of the hotel. The hotels are financed by the owners, generally in the form of working capital, equity, and debt.
 
At December 31, 2010, the Company has approximately $68 million of investments and a loan balance of $9 million associated with 12 VIEs. As the Company is not obligated to fund future cash contributions under these agreements, the maximum loss equals the carrying value. In addition, the Company has not contributed amounts to the VIEs in excess of their contractual obligations.
 
Additionally, the Company has approximately $6 million of investments and certain performance guarantees associated with three VIEs. During 2010, the Company recorded a $3 million charge to selling, general and administrative expenses, relating to one of these VIEs, for a performance guarantee relating to a hotel managed by the Company. The maximum remaining exposure of this guarantee is $1 million. The Company’s remaining performance guarantees have possible cash outlays of up to $68 million, $62 million of which, if required, would be funded over several years and would be largely offset by management fees received under these contracts.
 
At December 31, 2009, the Company has approximately $81 million of investments associated with 18 VIEs, equity investments of $11 million associated with one VIE and a loan balance of $5 million associated with one VIE.
 
Guaranteed Loans and Commitments.  In limited cases, the Company has made loans to owners of or partners in hotel or resort ventures for which the Company has a management or franchise agreement. Loans outstanding under this program totaled $14 million at December 31, 2010. The Company evaluates these loans for impairment, and at December 31, 2010, believes these loans are collectible. Unfunded loan commitments


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STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
aggregating $18 million were outstanding at December 31, 2010, $0 million of which is expected to be funded in 2011, with $1 million expected to be funded in total. These loans typically are secured by pledges of project ownership interests and/or mortgages on the projects. The Company also has $56 million of equity and other potential contributions associated with managed or joint venture properties, $20 million of which is expected to be funded in 2011.
 
Surety bonds issued on behalf of the Company at December 31, 2010 totaled $23 million, the majority of which were required by state or local governments relating to the Company’s vacation ownership operations and by its insurers to secure large deductible insurance programs.
 
To secure management contracts, the Company may provide performance guarantees to third-party owners. Most of these performance guarantees allow the Company to terminate the contract rather than fund shortfalls if certain performance levels are not met. In limited cases, the Company is obligated to fund shortfalls in performance levels through the issuance of loans. Many of the performance tests are multi-year tests, are tied to the results of a competitive set of hotels, and have exclusions for force majeure and acts of war and terrorism. The Company does not anticipate any significant funding under performance guarantees or losing a significant number of management or franchise contracts in 2011.
 
In connection with the acquisition of the Le Méridien brand in November 2005, the Company assumed the obligation to guarantee certain performance levels at one Le Méridien managed hotel for the periods 2007 through 2014. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company reached an agreement with the owner of this property to fully release the Company of its performance guarantee obligation in return for a payment of approximately $1 million to the owner. Additionally, in connection with this settlement, the term of the management contract was extended by five years. As a result of this settlement, the Company recorded a credit to selling, general, administrative and other expenses of approximately $8 million for the difference between the carrying amount of the guarantee liability and the cash payment of $1 million.
 
In connection with the purchase of the Le Méridien brand in November 2005, the Company was indemnified for certain of Le Méridien’s historical liabilities by the entity that bought Le Méridien’s owned and leased hotel portfolio. The indemnity is limited to the financial resources of that entity. However, at this time, the Company believes that it is unlikely that it will have to fund any of these liabilities.
 
In connection with the sale of 33 hotels in 2006, the Company agreed to indemnify the buyer for certain liabilities, including operations and tax liabilities. At this time, the Company believes that it will not have to make any material payments under such indemnities.
 
Litigation.  The Company is involved in various legal matters that have arisen in the normal course of business, some of which include claims for substantial sums. Accruals have been recorded when the outcome is probable and can be reasonably estimated. While the ultimate results of claims and litigation cannot be determined, the Company does not expect that the resolution of all legal matters will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flow. However, depending on the amount and the timing, an unfavorable resolution of some or all of these matters could materially affect the Company’s future results of operations or cash flows in a particular period.
 
Collective Bargaining Agreements.  At December 31, 2010, approximately 34% of the Company’s U.S.-based employees were covered by various collective bargaining agreements, providing, generally, for basic pay rates, working hours, other conditions of employment and orderly settlement of labor disputes. Generally, labor relations have been maintained in a normal and satisfactory manner, and management believes that the Company’s employee relations are satisfactory.


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Table of Contents

STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Environmental Matters.  The Company is subject to certain requirements and potential liabilities under various federal, state and local environmental laws, ordinances and regulations. Such laws often impose liability without regard to whether the current or previous owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such hazardous or toxic substances. Although the Company has incurred and expects to incur remediation and other environmental costs during the ordinary course of operations, management anticipates that such costs will not have a material adverse effect on the operations or financial condition of the Company.
 
Captive Insurance Company.  Estimated insurance claims payable at December 31, 2010 and 2009 were $72 million and $74 million, respectively. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, standby letters of credit amounting to $64 million and $83 million, respectively, had been issued to provide collateral for the estimated claims. The letters of credit are guaranteed by the Company.
 
ITT Industries.  In 1995, the former ITT Corporation, renamed ITT Industries, Inc. (“ITT Industries”), distributed to its stockholders all of the outstanding shares of common stock of ITT Corporation, then a wholly owned subsidiary of ITT Industries (the “Distribution”). In connection with this Distribution, ITT Corporation, which was then named ITT Destinations, Inc., changed its name to ITT Corporation. Subsequent to the acquisition of ITT Corporation in 1998, the Company changed the name of ITT Corporation to Sheraton Holding Corporation.
 
For purposes of governing certain of the ongoing relationships between the Company and ITT Industries after the Distribution and spin-off of ITT Corporation and to provide for an orderly transition, the Company and ITT Industries have entered into various agreements including a spin-off agreement, Employee Benefits Services and Liability Agreement, Tax Allocation Agreement and Intellectual Property Transfer and License Agreements. The Company may be liable to or due reimbursement from ITT Industries relating to the resolution of certain pre-spin-off matters under these agreements. Based on available information, management does not believe that these matters would have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company reversed a liability related to the 1998 acquisition (see Note 14).
 
Note 27.   Business Segment and Geographical Information
 
The Company has two operating segments:  hotels and vacation ownership and residential. The hotel segment generally represents a worldwide network of owned, leased and consolidated joint venture hotels and resorts operated primarily under the Company’s proprietary brand names including St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, Sheraton®, Westin®, W®, Le Méridien®, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft® and Element® as well as hotels and resorts which are managed or franchised under these brand names in exchange for fees. The vacation ownership and residential segment includes the development, ownership and operation of vacation ownership resorts, marketing and selling VOIs, providing financing to customers who purchase such interests, licensing fees from branded condominiums and residences and the sale of residential units.
 
The performance of the hotels and vacation ownership and residential segments is evaluated primarily on operating profit before corporate selling, general and administrative expense, interest expense, net of interest income, losses on asset dispositions and impairments, restructuring and other special charges (credits) and income tax benefit (expense). The Company does not allocate these items to its segments.


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Table of Contents

STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
The following table presents revenues, operating income, assets and capital expenditures for the Company’s reportable segments (in millions):
 
                         
    2010     2009     2008  
 
Revenues:
                       
Hotel
  $ 4,383     $ 4,022     $ 4,860  
Vacation ownership and residential
    688       674       894  
                         
Total
  $ 5,071     $ 4,696     $ 5,754  
                         
Operating income:
                       
Hotel
  $ 571     $ 471     $ 776  
Vacation ownership and residential
    105       73       136  
                         
Total segment operating income
    676       544       912  
Selling, general, administrative and other
    (151 )     (139 )     (161 )
Restructuring, goodwill impairment and other special charges, net
    75       (379 )     (141 )
                         
Operating income
    600       26       610  
Equity earnings and gains and losses from unconsolidated ventures, net:
                       
Hotel
    8       (5 )     12  
Vacation ownership and residential
    2       1       4  
Interest expense, net
    (236 )     (227 )     (207 )
Loss on asset dispositions and impairments, net
    (39 )     (91 )     (98 )
                         
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes and noncontrolling interests
  $ 335     $ (296 )   $ 321  
                         
Depreciation and amortization:
                       
Hotel
  $ 207     $ 229     $ 241  
Vacation ownership and residential
    27       27       29  
Corporate
    51       53       43  
                         
Total
  $ 285     $ 309     $ 313  
                         
Assets:
                       
Hotel(a)
  $ 6,440     $ 5,924     $ 6,728  
Vacation ownership and residential(b)
    2,139       1,639       2,183  
Corporate
    1,197       1,198       792  
                         
Total
  $ 9,776     $ 8,761     $ 9,703  
                         
Capital expenditures:
                       
Hotel
  $ 184     $ 171     $ 344  
Vacation ownership and residential
    151       145       389  
Corporate
    42       27       84  
                         
Total(c)
  $ 377     $ 343     $ 817  
                         
 
 
(a) Includes $285 million and $343 million of investments in unconsolidated joint ventures at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.


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STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
 
(b) Includes $27 million and $25 million of investments in unconsolidated joint ventures at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
(c) Includes $227 million, $196 million, and $476 million of property, plant, and equipment expenditures as of December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively. Additional expenditures included in the amounts above consist of vacation ownership inventory and investments in management contracts and hotel joint ventures.
 
The following table presents revenues and long-lived assets by geographical region (in millions):
 
                                         
    Revenues     Long-Lived Assets  
    2010     2009     2008     2010     2009  
 
United States
  $ 3,312     $ 3,387     $ 4,058     $ 2,186     $ 2,334  
Italy
    160       172       370       324       399  
All other international
    1,599       1,137       1,326       1,125       1,056  
                                         
Total
  $ 5,071     $ 4,696     $ 5,754     $ 3,635     $ 3,789  
                                         
 
Other than Italy, there were no individual international countries, which comprised over 10% of the total revenues of the Company for the years ended December 2010, 2009 or 2008, or 10% of the total long-lived assets of the Company as of December 31, 2010 or 2009.


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STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Note 28.   Quarterly Results (Unaudited)
 
                                         
    Three Months Ended        
    March 31     June 30     September 30     December 31     Year  
    (In millions, except per share data)        
 
2010
                                       
Revenues
  $ 1,187     $ 1,289     $ 1,255     $ 1,340     $ 5,071  
Costs and expenses
  $ 1,102     $ 1,152     $ 1,133     $ 1,084     $ 4,471  
Income from continuing operations
  $ 28     $ 79     $ (5 )   $ 206     $ 308  
Discontinued operations
  $     $ 35     $ (1 )   $ 133     $ 167  
Net income
  $ 28     $ 114     $ (6 )   $ 339     $ 475  
Earnings per share:
                                       
Basic —
                                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ 0.16     $ 0.44     $ (0.03 )   $ 1.13     $ 1.70  
Discontinued operations
  $     $ 0.19     $ 0.00     $ 0.72     $ 0.91  
                                         
Net income
  $ 0.16     $ 0.63     $ (0.03 )   $ 1.85     $ 2.61  
Diluted —
                                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ 0.16     $ 0.42     $ (0.03 )   $ 1.08     $ 1.63  
Discontinued operations
  $     $ 0.19     $ 0.00     $ 0.70     $ 0.88  
                                         
Net income
  $ 0.16     $ 0.61     $ (0.03 )   $ 1.78     $ 2.51  
2009
                                       
Revenues
  $ 1,127     $ 1,167     $ 1,156     $ 1,246     $ 4,696  
Costs and expenses
  $ 1,066     $ 1,068     $ 1,070     $ 1,466     $ 4,670  
Income from continuing operations
  $ 7     $ 140     $ 36     $ (186 )   $ (3 )
Discontinued operations
  $ (3 )   $ (6 )   $ 4     $ 79     $ 74  
Net income
  $ 4     $ 134     $ 40     $ (107 )   $ 71  
Earnings per share:
                                       
Basic —
                                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ 0.04     $ 0.79     $ 0.20     $ (1.03 )   $ (0.00 )
Discontinued operations
  $ (0.01 )   $ (0.04 )   $ 0.02     $ 0.44     $ 0.41  
                                         
Net income
  $ 0.03     $ 0.75     $ 0.22     $ (0.59 )   $ 0.41  
Diluted —
                                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ 0.04     $ 0.78     $ 0.20     $ (1.03 )   $ (0.00 )
Discontinued operations
  $ (0.01 )   $ (0.04 )   $ 0.02     $ 0.44     $ 0.41  
                                         
Net income
  $ 0.03     $ 0.74     $ 0.22     $ (0.59 )   $ 0.41  
 
Due to the dispositions in the fourth quarter of 2009 that were recorded as discontinued operations (see Note 19), certain amounts in the table above have been reclassified to present comparable results for all periods presented.


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Table of Contents

 
SCHEDULE II

STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC.
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(In millions)
 
                                         
        Additions (Deductions)    
        Charged
           
        to/reversed
  Charged
       
    Balance
  from
  to/from Other
  Payments/
  Balance
    January 1,   Expenses   Accounts(a)   Other   December 31,
 
2010
                                       
Trade receivables — allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 54     $ 9     $ 11     $ (19 )   $ 55  
Notes receivable — allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 118     $ 42     $ 64     $ (45 )   $ 179  
Reserves included in accrued and other liabilities:
                                       
Restructuring and other special charges
  $ 34     $ (75 )   $ 8     $ 62     $ 29  
2009
                                       
Trade receivables — allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 49     $ 8     $ 7     $ (10 )   $ 54  
Notes receivable — allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 117     $ 64     $ (3 )   $ (60 )   $ 118  
Reserves included in accrued and other liabilities:
                                       
Restructuring and other special charges
  $ 41     $ 379     $ (332 )   $ (54 )   $ 34  
2008
                                       
Trade receivables — allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 50     $ 8     $ 3     $ (12 )   $ 49  
Notes receivable — allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 94     $ 55     $     $ (32 )   $ 117  
Reserves included in accrued and other liabilities:
                                       
Restructuring and other special charges
  $ 9     $ 141     $ (83 )   $ (26 )   $ 41  
 
 
(a) Charged to/from other accounts:
 
         
    Description of
 
    Charged to/from
 
    Other Accounts  
 
2010
       
Accrued expenses
  $ 2  
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits
    8  
Impact of ASU No. 2009-17 (See Note 2)
    73  
         
Total charged to/from other accounts
  $ 83  
         
2009
       
Plant, property and equipment
  $ (178 )
Goodwill
    (90 )
Inventory
    (61 )
Investments
    (5 )
Other assets
    (1 )
Accounts receivable
    2  
Accrued expenses
    5  
         
Total charged to/from other accounts
  $ (328 )
         
2008
       
Investments
  $ (7 )
Plant, property and equipment
    (66 )
Other assets
    3  
Accrued expenses
    (14 )
APIC
    4  
         
Total charged to/from other accounts
  $ (80 )
         


S-1