Steven J. Heyer, CEO of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Osvaldo Librizzi, president of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Latin America, and a host of other dignitaries gathered today in the magnificent tropical paradise of Punta Mita to celebrate the groundbreaking for St. Regis Resort, Punta Mita. Scheduled to open in late 2007, the ultra-luxe resort is a joint venture of Ideurban Consultores, one of Mexico's largest private development and construction companies, and DINE, master developer of Punta Mita. Located 35 miles northwest of Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by white sand beaches, spectacular ocean views and lush tropical landscape, St. Regis Resort, Punta Mita will feature 120 elegantly appointed guest rooms and suites, each with its own outdoor shower, and approximately 65 luxury villas for both fractional and whole ownership. Both guests and owners will delight in the signature services for which the St. Regis is renowned worldwide, including its renowned St. Regis Butler Service, world-class concierge, exquisite design, and a world-class Remede Spa.The resort will also include Punta Mita's second Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, with greens meandering through the resort grounds, as well as a 10,000-square-foot spa and fitness center, two full-service restaurants, and a beach club with a pool grill and bar. It will also offer 7,000 square feet of meeting and function space, ideal for corporate retreats or wedding celebrations."There are few resort destinations in the world that combine the prestige, vision and raw natural beauty of Punta Mita," said Kerry Hatch, president of St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. "This is truly one of the world's most exquisite enclaves and an ideal location for a St. Regis resort." Punta Mita is an innovative, master planned resort and residential community covering more than 1,500 acres on a spear-shaped peninsula surrounded on three sides by white sand beaches, Pacific Ocean waters and lush tropical flora. The resort is a gated, low-density development and has been planned and designed in accordance with the highest quality of international real estate development and environmental standards.The master plan of Punta Mita calls for a variety of exclusive residential offerings and estate lots, as well as up to three championship golf courses, a tennis center, beach clubs, spa and wellness center, yacht pier, and a small commercial village. St. Regis Resort, Punta Mita is the second St. Regis luxury property underway in Mexico as part of the company's ongoing focus on international expansion. St. Regis Hotel, Mexico City is projected to open just prior to St. Regis Resort, Punta Mita in late 2007. For more information visit www.stregis.com.