Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. swept the competition in the 2006 American Automobile Association’s (AAA) Preferred Partner Performance survey, winning the number one position in all five hotel categories. This is the first year AAA has included hotel companies in their annual survey and not only did Starwood hit the top scores – it beat its competitors in each hotel category.

The top awards include:

• 2005 Hotel Partner of the Year Award

• 2005 Lodging Partner Best in Marketing

• 2005 Lodging Partner Best in Service

• 2005 Lodging Partner Best in Product

• 2005 Lodging Partner Best in Sales Support

"We are thrilled to gain this recognition from our most valuable travel partners and look forward to continuing to exceed our customers’ expectations," said Starwood vice-president of Global Customer Partnerships Leisure & Luxury Sales Chris Austin.

"Winning these top honours is an incredible accomplishment and a direct result of great collaboration between sales, revenue management, marketing and property teams who all work together to deliver exceptional service to our customers and guests each and every day."

"It is a pleasure to be working with a hotel company that is so well represented in all disciplines of business and one that our clubs recognise as the best," said Betsy Sell of AAA. "This survey confirms our commitment to Starwood as a valued Preferred Lodging Partner."

Results of the survey were gathered via an AAA Preferred Partner Performance Survey and Assessment, which bestows Partner Awards in the airline, hotel, tour and cruise industries. The survey was distributed to 56 AAA/CAA clubs, including club executives, travel and auto counsellors and marketing department contacts, and included questions regarding satisfaction ratings for AAA hotel partners in five separate hotel categories.

As a Preferred Partner in the AAA Lodging programme, Starwood offers benefits to AAA/CAA members in the USA, Canada, Australia and Europe.