Starwood Hotels and Timeshare Resorts reported a 12 percent drop in profits for the third quarter, 2008. With this announcement, they joined the ranks of other hoteliers and timeshare developers, including Marriott, Hilton, and Westgate timeshare, who have all acknowledged that they are sharply feeling the credit crunch and the economic downturn.

Starwood (the parent company of Westin timeshare resorts and Sheraton timeshare resorts) reported revenue was flat at $1.5 billion, with international operations shoring up those in North America. Earnings for Starwood were $113 million or 62 cents a share, which is down from $129 million or 61 cents a share, in the third quarter 2007. Figuring all adjustments, and earnings from continuing operations, earnings should have been 71 cents per share.

According to Hotels Magazine, Starwood Chief Executive Frits van Paasschen stated that the company had begun streamlining and reducing costs earlier in the year. Yet, Starwood’s efforts don’t seem to be sufficient to quell concerns. Steve Kent of Goldman Sachs commented on Starwood specifically and the timeshare and hotel industry in general, saying, “… the industry will be hit with increasing supply at the same time demand is falling and [its] negative operating leverage and inability to cut costs quickly suggests margins are going to be under pressure for some time.”

Starwood Says Decline in Hawaii Timeshare and Florida Timeshare Sales is Major Contributor

Pacific Business News reported that Starwood specifically blames a decline in Hawaii timeshares sales and Florida timeshares sales for its revenue shortfall. Compared to 2007, revenue in timeshare sales is down 27.4 percent. Contract sales of vacation ownership intervals decreased almost 30 percent at Starwood timeshares, due both to overall decline and to Starwood’s sellout of Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort North on Maui.

Starwood timeshare says it expects operating income from its timeshare business to drop as much as $115 million this year as demand for Hawaii timeshares and Orlando timeshares decreases.

How about spending your days golfing, swimming, or just relaxing in sunny, southern California and your nights curled up in a Westin Heavenly Bed®? This could be your next vacation if you buy or rent Starwood timeshare at the Westin Mission Hills Resort & Villas.

Located in Rancho Mirage, this California timeshare includes 360 beautifully landscaped acres complete with bubbling streams, terraced fountains, and two championship golf courses. As Sell My Timeshare NOW’s HOT 100 List timeshare resort number 60, the Westin Mission Hills Resort & Villas is a desert oasis, a retreat where you can rest and recoup from the pressures and demands of daily life.

Westin Mission Hills Resort & Villas Timeshare, a Luxurious Choice

In your Westin Mission Hills Resort & Villas timeshare, you will enjoy a fully equipped kitchen, washer and dryer, color televisions in bedrooms and the living room, Bose stereo system, and a DVD player in the living room. Living room areas feature a queen-size sleeper sofa, along with fireplaces in the living area and the bedroom of many villas. The Westin Mission Hills Resort and Villas timeshare is a luxurious resort for pampering yourself and enjoying some much needed quiet time with family or friends.

But when you have the urge to explore, there are so many nearby attractions to help you fill your vacation days. Enjoy the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert, the El Paseo Shopping District, the Palm Springs Air Museum, Knott’s Oasis Water Park, Indian Canyons, and Joshua Tree National Park to name only a few of the nearby points of interest.

Westin Mission Hills Resort & Villas Timeshare and More

Sell My Timeshare NOW has outstanding opportunities for you to buy timeshare or rent timeshare at the Westin Mission Hills Resort & Villas timeshare. And if you enjoy the indulgence of the signature Westin bed, Westin bath, and Westin WORKOUT exercise rooms, you may also be interested in these other Westin timeshare resorts, which offer some or all of these amenities.

• Westin Kierland Villas - Scottsdale, Arizona
• Westin St. John Resort and Villas - St. John, US Virgin Islands

Earlier this week, I wrote in the Timeshare Owners Blog about a predicted future escalation in global tourism leading to a shortage of hotel and timeshare resorts. Starwood Hotels and Timeshare resorts is just one of several hoteliers and developers that seem to think such predictions are solid.

In a multi-year strategy to revitalize the brand name of Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, Starwood begins this week on an aggressive expansion plan calling for 54 hotels and 20,000 guest rooms to be added to the Sheraton brand by this time next year. According to Starwood Hotels & Resorts Inc, the company will be spending approximately $2 billion just on North American properties. The plans include $1.3 billion in renovations and $400 million in key brand initiatives and upgrades at 100 US hotels.

Starwood’s official news release says that Sheraton is already the company’s largest and most global brand, and that they plan to increase this by opening one hotel every 12 days during 2008. Target markets include Denver, Minneapolis, Dallas, Phoenix, and Washington, DC. Globally, expansion plans include Egypt, China, Ireland, and Argentina.

Hoyt Harper II, senior vice president for Sheraton Hotels and Timeshare Resorts says, “Over the next several years, Sheraton’s footprint will become even more prominent, and as we grow, we will leverage Starwoods’ proven history of building great lifestyle brands to enhance the entire guest experience.”

Ready to Buy Sheraton Timeshare?

If you have ever considered buying Sheraton timeshare, there has never been a better time. You would become a Sheraton timeshare owner just as the company is putting billions of dollars back into their hotels and resorts - think of it as, getting in at the right time. And buying Sheraton timeshare from Starwood is not the only way to become a Sheraton timeshare owner. There are incredible opportunities to buy Sheraton timeshare resales, and bypass paying the developer’s upfront marketing costs. Visit Sell My Timeshare NOW today to learn more.

Here’s a YouTube video about the Starwood Spa collection that is reason enough to become a Starwood timeshare owner.

Recent Timeshare Owners Blog posts about Starwood timeshares include:

• Starwood Will Be Selling Timeshare from New Sales Galleries
• Starwood Timeshare Opens The Phoenician Residences

Starwood Vacation Ownership (Starwood Timeshares) has expanded their fractional properties with the opening of The Phoenician Residences part of The Luxury Collection Residence Club.

Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, the 250-acre resort has undergone a major renovation to include floor plans that range from 1400 square feet to 2400. Each fractional unit has hardwood floors, a natural stone fireplace, a private plunge pool and spa, an outdoor summer kitchen, LCD televisions, and imported Irish linens.

On-property amenities include a USGA championship golf complex with 3 nine-hole courses, chipping and putting greens, and a driving range. The Tennis Garden offers 12 lighted courts, while other features include nine swimming pools, a 165-foot water slide, private cabanas, and a spa and wellness center.

The MoneyCentral Business Wire on MSN.com quoted Matt Avril, president and managing director of operations at Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc, as saying, “This newest offering in our portfolio of fractional resorts is the perfect complement to the St. Regis Residence Club properties in Aspen and New York. As a premier destination, The Phoenician (R) is a perennial favorite of sophisticated vacationers, and we are extremely excited to offer ownership opportunities through The Phoenician Residences, our first fractional resort under The Luxury Collection brand.”

Prices for fractional ownership at The Phoenician Residences start at $150,000 up to $400,000 and range from three weeks of vacation time upward. Fractional owners at The Phoenician Residences also have the option to exchange weeks for stays at other Residence Club properties or for Starwood Preferred Guests Starpoints.

Starwood properties include the following brands: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Four Points by Sheraton, LeMeridien, Aloft, Element, and Sheraton timeshare resorts and Westin timeshare resorts. More information is available on Sheraton timeshare resales and Westin timeshare resales from Sell My Timeshare NOW.

Recent Timeshare Owners Blog posts about Starwood timeshares include:

• Starwood Will Be Selling Timeshare from New Sales Galleries

Starwood Resorts and Timeshares has announced that they are building a freestanding timeshare sales gallery inside the Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel for the purpose of selling timeshare weeks at that property and at the Sheraton PGA in Port Lucie, FL.

This is the first time Starwood Resorts and Timeshares have used a purpose-built, freestanding timeshare sales office to sell timeshare units and timeshare weeks. The new Starwood Timeshare office will employ 20 to 25 timeshare sales people, and will ultimately sell timeshare weeks at all 25 Starwood properties, which includes Sheraton timeshare resorts and Westin timeshare resorts.

In an article published by PressofAtlanticCity.com, written by business editor Kevin Post, Starwood Vacation Ownership spokesperson David Matheson was quoted as saying, “Timeshares are becoming more and more of a mainstream product. Starwood and companies like it are bringing credibility to the industry.”

The article noted that Starwood timeshare units range from about $13,000 to $28,000 with annual maintenance fees of $400 to $800. On the same day that this article ran, CrainsNYBusiness.com published an article identifying that their new chief executive officer, Fritz Van Paasschen, who took the helm in September of 2007, earned approximately $9.1 million during that 4-month period.

Sheraton Timeshare and Westin Timeshare

While Van Paasschen’s base salary is less than $300,000 annually, his bonuses, incentives, and stock options accounted for the rest of his 9 million dollar-plus compensation. Leaving you to draw your own conclusions here, now seems like a good time to remind you that you can get excellent timeshare deals on Starwood timeshare resales, resorts that carry the brands of Sheraton timeshare resales or Westin timeshare resales.

Timeshare Resales from Sell My Timeshare NOW

When you buy timeshare directly from the person who owns it, you are purchasing vacation time at the same resorts as people who buy timeshare new, from the developer and typically pay much higher prices. Here’s a list of some the opportunities available in timeshare resales in Sell My Timeshare NOW’s current inventory:

• Sheraton Broadway Plantation - Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
• Sheraton Desert Oasis - Scottsdale, Arizona
• Sheraton Mountain Vista - Avon, Colorado
• Sheraton PGA Vacation Resort - Port St. Lucie, Florida
• Sheraton Vistana Resort - Orlando, Florida
• Sheraton Vistana Villages - Orlando, Florida
• The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas - Maui
• Westin Kierland Villas - Scottsdale, Arizona
• Westin Mission Hills Resort and Villas - Rancho Mirage, California
• Westin St. John Resort and Villas - St. John, US Virgin Islands
• Harborside Resort at Atlantis - Paradise Island, The Bahamas
• Lakeside Terrace - Avon, Colorado

Research and Markets, a firm that bills itself as the world’s largest market research resource, has released a report saying that globally, the vacation ownership industry holds strong market potential. The 40-page report cites as evidence of this, the fact that, “the US economy is facing the challenges of a slump in the housing market and an increase in fuel prices…(but) the vacation ownership industry has not fallen to the economic woes and is fairly insulated from the economic performance.”

The report concludes that while consumers may be taking shorter vacations or staying closer to home, they have not stopped buying timeshare or renting timeshare for this purpose.

The State of Timeshare Sales Outside the US

According to the Research and Markets report, Europe is still trying to update governmental regulations to better serve and protect both the people who buy timeshare and the people who sell timeshare. Once this occurs, the report speculates that the timeshare industry in Europe will resume the growth levels it enjoyed during the 1970’s and 1980’s.

Other potentially strong international markets, according to the report’s findings, include Malaysia, Singapore, India, Indonesia, and China. The growing affluence of Asians, paired with new low-cost air travel options, are cited as reasons that have helped spur this expansion.

Research used in the report focuses on four timeshare companies: Wyndham timeshare, Marriott timeshare, Hilton timeshare, and Starwood timeshare. The full report is available at: http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c84948#. But don’t expect the wisdom it carries to come cheaply. Purchased in its least expensive format, this timeshare market report costs EUR 910.00, or approximately 1,440 USD—and for that price you could just go ahead and buy timeshare as a resale by shopping the competitive prices available at Sell My Timeshare NOW.

Marriott Timeshares are usually credited with being the first hoteliers to get into the timeshare real estate business. In fact, some of the first hotel-branded properties were Sheraton timeshares. Sheraton timeshares have been in Hawaii since the 1960’s, and it is little surprise that today, as Starwood timeshare resorts, they continue to thrive in our fiftieth state.

In April, Starwood Vacation Ownership is opening their third vacation ownership (timeshare) resort in the Hawaiian Islands. The Timeshare Blog quoted Denise Wardlow, general manager of the new Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas as saying, “This property gives our travel partners more options to attract upscale clients who are repeat guests to the island of Kaua’i - guests who desire the convenience of a fully-furnished kitchen, washer and dryer, plus all of the luxurious amenities and services of a Westin resort.”

Located in Kaua’i, in the seaside community of Princeville, the new resort has classic Hawaiian plantation styling and includes seven buildings with a total of 179 timeshare condos, as well as a clubhouse, restaurant, and general store. Rack rates for a studio timeshare condo will start at $600 per night, $800 per night for a one-bedroom timeshare condo, and $1400 per night for a two bedroom timeshare condo.

The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas will combine state of the art amenities with traditional island charm, but before you reach for your checkbook, make sure you look at other opportunities in Hawaii timeshare resales and Hawaii timeshare rentals.

Here are some of the excellent opportunities available to you to buy timeshare or rent timeshare through Sell My Timeshare NOW:

• Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort - North Villas Resales
• Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort - North Villas Rentals
• Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas Resales
• Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas Rentals

Sheraton Hotels & Resorts is trying to make booking your hotel or timeshare condo more fun with the addition of an online pillow fight and an online pool splash-fight to their website. Sheraton’s advertising agency for their website, Avenue A| Razorfish and Eyeblaster, a designer and vendor of online technology, joined forces to create two real-time, online interactive games for visitors to the Sheraton website.

Using a combination of artificial intelligence and interactive communication, each of the two games allows website visitors to use their cursor to join in the hotel room pillow fight or the splash fight in the hotel pool.

“Multi-user technology was the perfect fit for the Sheraton audience,” said John Antoniello, of Avenue A| Razorfish. “It’s a simple way for lots of people to jump into a fun, social activity. Who wouldn’t want to join a pillow fight?”

The pillow fight breaks every 15 seconds for users to either regroup or move ahead booking their Sheraton hotel and timeshare accommodations. With all the accompanying publicity, the games are sure to draw many visitors to the Sheraton website. But after 15 seconds of bashing virtual pillows with a stranger, you will probably be ready to go to Sell My Timeshare NOW and buy timeshare resale or book a timeshare rental directly from the current owner. You save money on fabulous timeshare vacation property and the owner of the timeshare gets a convenient way to sell timeshare or rent timeshare he no longer needs. Now to me, saving time and saving money is a much more satisfying way to interact online than splashing in a virtual swimming pool or creating a snowstorm of imaginary feathers.

Sheraton is part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc, with resorts in 95 countries, and includes Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc, operating timeshares under the brands of Starwood, Westin, and Sheraton.

• Harborside Resort at Atlantis, Paradise Island, The Bahamas
• Lakeside Terrace, Avon, Colorado
• Sheraton Broadway Plantation, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
• Sheraton Desert Oasis, Scottsdale, Arizona
• Sheraton Mountain Vista, Avon, Colorado
• Sheraton PGA Vacation Resort, Port St. Lucie, Florida
• Sheraton Vistana Resort, Orlando, Florida
• Sheraton Vistana Villages, Orlando, Florida
• The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas, Maui
• Westin Kierland Villas, Scottsdale, Arizona
• Westin Mission Hills Resort and Villas, Rancho Mirage, California
• Westin St. John Resort and Villas, St. John, US Virgin Islands

Starwood Vacation Ownership, a division of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc, has announced further expansion into Mexico. Already under construction are the Westin Lagunamar Ocean Resort in Cancun and the St. Regis Residence Club in Punta Mita.

Just this month, Starwood Vacation Ownership announced the construction of a third property in Mexico, the Westin Los Cabos Ocean Villas. According to the Starwood company, the properties in Cancun and Los Cabos are the first timeshare or vacation ownership properties developed in either location by a major US lodging company.

According to Sergio Rivera, the president of real estate development at Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, “As Starwood is one of the oldest and most prominent hotel companies in the country, Mexico is an important market for us. A vacation ownership resort is a natural compliment to The Westin Resort and offers guests the benefit of owning a piece of one of the world’s premier destinations.”

The new timeshare resort in Los Cabos will overlook the Sea of Cortez and offer guests and vacation property owners multiple restaurants, swimming pools, a spa, and a golf course. They will also have access to the ‘Westin Workout Powered by Reebok’ fitness center. The resort in Punta Mita will include whole ownership residences, the St. Regis Residence Club (timeshares and vacation ownership properties), and a St. Regis Hotel. The Punta Mita resort will overlook Mexico’s Pacific coastline.

Construction is set to begin later in 2007 on the timeshare resort in Los Cabos. If you are interested in becoming a vacation property owner, remember that purchasing a new timeshare vacation condo or villa is not your only option. Resale timeshares (such as those available through www.sellmytimesharenow.com) offer some of the best deals available in vacation ownership property today.

For the next three years, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. will serve as the exclusive hotel sponsor of the Special Olympics as well as the exclusive hotel sponsor of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China.

From now until June 30, 2007, Starwood will donate $50 to the Special Olympics for every Westin Heavenly Bed, Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed and Four Points by Sheraton Four Comfort bed sold through Starwood retail channels, up to a total of $150,000.

Steven J. Heyer is the Chief Executive Officer for Starwood Hotels as well as an active member of the Board of Directors of Special Olympics, Inc. Heyer says, “This unique global sponsorship will help increase public awareness of the Special Olympics, enhance our corporate social responsibility mission and further strengthen our brand presence in important travel markets and diverse local communities.”

Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. owns and manages 850 hotel properties under the brands of: St. Regis, Four Points by Sheraton, The Luxury Collection, W, Sheraton, Westin, Le Meridien and the newest brands, Aloft and Element. Additionally, timeshare vacation owners recognize Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc. as a premier timeshare company.

2007 marks the first time the Special Olympics World Summer Games will be held in Asia. The events are expected to attract roughly 7000 athletes, 40,000 volunteers and another 3500 officials, along with thousands and thousands of excited spectators, family members of the participants, volunteers and journalists.

To learn more about the unique role the Special Olympics plays in the lives of millions of people, visit their website at www.specialolympics.org.

And to learn more about opportunity to enjoy Starwood timeshare ownership or Interval timeshare, visit the website of www.sellmytimesharenow.com.