Cairo, Egypt, March 24, 2010 – Sheraton Cairo Hotel is leaving guests in the dark by the end of this week. But it’s all for a good cause.

Sheraton Cairo Hotel will turn off its lights in observance of Earth Hour, a worldwide event organized by the World Wildlife Fund to send a powerful global message about environmental awareness and caring for the planet. Nearly one billion people turned out for Earth Hour 2009 – involving 4,100 cities in 87 countries on seven continents.

To underscore parent Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc.’s (NYSE: HOT) dedication to environmental sustainability, Sheraton Cairo Hotel will also share other energy-saving measures during Earth Hour, March 27 at 8:30pm CLT. Among them Turning off exterior signage lighting; dimming or turning off non-essential interior lighting; using candlelight in appropriate public areas such as restaurants and bars; and using in-room voicemail messages and in-room television messages to inform guests about Earth Hour observances.

Earth Hour is drawing strong support from Starwood hotels around the globe. Last year, the unlit hotels offered striking visual imagery that provided an apt symbol of Earth Hour. So far, more than 130 hotels in Starwood’s Europe, Africa, Middle East region have committed to participating in Earth Hour, with many more expected to join the effort.

“Earth Hour gives Sheraton Cairo Hotel the opportunity to take part in the biggest ever global event in the fight against climate change, and to demonstrate to our associates and guests just how important simple actions can be towards saving energy and reducing our greenhouse gas emissions”, said Ibrahim Fahmy, General Manager of Sheraton Cairo Hotel. “Earth Hour symbolizes that working together each of us at Starwood can make an impactful difference on the health of our planet.”

Hundreds of Starwood hotels around the world will also coordinate Earth Hour awareness events, including community walk-a-thons, public candlelight “unplugged” concerts, and receptions for guests featuring signature green cocktails.